ACUPUNCTURE FOR COMMON COLD 6: Etiology and Pathology, The Six Stages, The Four Levels

An invasion of an exterior pathogenic factor is due to a temporary and relative imbalance between it and the body’s Qi.

This imbalance may occur either because the body’s Qi is temporarily and relatively weak or because the pathogenic factor is very strong. I have stressed “temporarily” and “relatively” because the body’s Qi is not weak in absolute terms but only in relation to an external pathogenic factor at a particular time. The body’s Qi may be temporarily and relatively weak due to overwork, excessive sexual activity, irregular diet and emotional stress or a combination of these. When the body is thus weakened, even a mild pathogenic factor may cause an external invasion of Wind.

”Wind” indicates both an etiological factor and a pathological condition. As an etiological factor, it literally refers to climatic influences and especially sudden changes of weather to which the body cannot adapt. As a pathological condition, “Wind” refers to a complex of symptoms and signs manifesting as Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. In clinical practice, this is the most important aspect of the concept of Wind.