Acupuncture for Allergies

Seasonal allergies doesn't have to mean daily medication and avoiding outdoor activities. With the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine, you don't have to suffer through the beginning of spring.

It happens suddenly...you are going along just and BAM...sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes...allergies! Also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis, as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children have seasonal allergy symptoms.

There are some tricks to help minimize your exposure to allergens...

• Stay indoors on windy days.
• Don't hang dry clothing outdoors.
• Wear a mask when doing yard work.
• Add an air filter to your HVAC system
• Use a HEPA filter on your vacuum.

An over the counter antihistamine medication may also be used, but they tend to be very drying in the body and can cause bleeding and severe headaches, dry mouth, dry skin, and sensitivity to the sun. These medications can also deplete your body of essential vitamins.

Claritin specifically depletes the body of Iron leading to anemia.

All Antihistamines should not be taken in conjunction with lemon balm, kava kava, California poppy, catnip, St. John's wort, skullcap and Valerian.

A Safer Alternative to Medication

We are lucky that there has been a significant amount of research on how Acupuncture effects our reaction to allergens. According to the most recent study in Germany, 2013. Found those who received Acupuncture treatments had a 70% reduction in their symptoms.

TCM views allergies as a Wind condition, describing how it comes on suddenly, and with the presence of itching. There is also a correlation with a Wei Qi deficiency. The Wei Qi is the protective Qi of the body. Those with Wei Qi Deficiency tend towards catching colds easily.

The known anti-inflammatory effects of Acupuncture may be at the root of how Acupuncture reduces allergy symptoms.

How Acupuncture Works for Allergies

• Reduce histamines in the blood stream
• Decrease Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Neuropeptides
• Acupuncture effects on inflammation have shown to be modulated by the HPA Axis (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal) creating an increase in natural corticosterone.
• Reduces inflammatory edema

Patients can see results in as little as one treatment, but the best results are seen after several treatments. I recommend coming in at the first sign of allergies, or if you know you get allergies at the same time every year, come in prior to signs to prevent them before they start.

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1.  CNN Article: Acupuncture May Be Antidote for Allergies
2.  American Academy of Medical Acupuncture: Acupuncture and Seasonal Allergies
3.  The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture and their Relevance to Allergic Rhinitis