Summer Sunburn? Acupuncture Can Help

Summer in Western New York can be fleeting, for sure. So it’s only natural that we all want to soak in as much sun as possible while we can. But as we all know too well, those sunny rays can come with a whole lot of sunburn and skin damage. 

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with acupuncture. Getting poked on your red, sore, sunburned skin definitely isn’t at the top of your to-do list. Same! Luckily, there are several acupuncture points on parts of your body that can help with the pain, discomfort, fatigue, inflammation and extra heat that comes with sunburn. Even better, they’re all in areas that are rarely exposed to the sun. Here are a few examples.

He Gu, located in the web between your thumb and index finger, is one of the biggest points for headache relief, and sunburn (especially when it’s severe) is often accompanied by headaches. He Gu, like many acupuncture points, also helps boost your immune system and releases endorphins to relieve pain throughout your body. 

Wei Zhong is located on the back of your knee and is great for any pain on your back. For some at-home relief, place a cold cloth on this point to help cool circulating blood. 

Qu Chi, located at the elbow, also is good for cooling heat throughout your body and is used to treat skin conditions like rashes and hives.

Finally, your ears are full of points that treat all different parts of your body and can be stimulated during acupuncture to reduce sunburn-related pain and inflammation to get you some much-needed relief. 

Of course, the best thing you can do is to avoid overexposure to the sun in the first place. Try to stay out of direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm, when the sun is at its strongest. Watch out for reflective surfaces, which can be just as damaging as direct light. Wear loose-fitting, protective clothing and a hat. And never, ever skip the sunscreen!

If you do find you’ve overdone it, we’re here to help so you can get back to summer. 

In health and wellness,
Julie