Understand Seasonal Allergies: How Acupuncture can help
Allergies: Allergic ‘Rhinitis’ – Sneezing, itching, runny nose… seasonal or perennial
What are Allergies?
An allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to what should normally be a harmless substance, such as pollen, mould, animal dander, food, etc. When triggered by the allergen, our immune system produces antibodies that can cause symptoms ranging from sneezing and itching to severe anaphylaxis.
(While there are other types of allergies (including contact sensitivities, with symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, rashes and brain fog, and food intolerances, which involve digestive symptoms), we will focus here on the most commonly seen Respiratory Allergies, normally triggered by airborne allergies like tree pollen, etc. Your acupuncturist is also trained to address these conditions, just not the focus of this blog).
Prevalence: Data from the CDC indicates that approximately 1 in 4 adults and a smaller number of children in the US report suffering from seasonal allergies. This is a very prevalent health issue, and may worsen, depending upon the changing weather patterns.
Western Medicine approach: The Western medicine treatment approach most common to allergies is to take antihistamines (which block histamine receptors), to suppress the symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose or sneezing. The goal is quick, temporary relief. Over the counter medications can have some serious side effects and limitations however.
TCM Acupuncture approach: Your acupuncturist, trained with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) theory, has a different approach to treating allergies. We are taught that allergies only exist as clues to an imbalance in one or more of the systems that support our health. We diagnose you based upon a number of questions and information that you share with us – not just your allergies but other clues about your health.
We treat the ‘branch’ (the uncomfortable symptoms) and the ‘root’ (its cause). Our treatment goal is not only symptom relief (as this is just the clue that something is amiss), but long term prevention and strengthening of your body’s own healing mechanism (the reason you react). We treat you believing that:
‘allergy’ is not a single issue, but can have several root causes;
While you have an acute ‘flare’ (which can have several causes, with different treatments), we treat you to diminish the symptoms;
In the ‘off season’, we have another set of treatments (to treat the ‘root’ cause and weakened system);
you get individualized treatment – you and your neighbour may both be reacting to pollen, but there may be different reasons and so different treatments;
TCM Acupuncture treatments: in the office and home care
Gentle needling of effective acupuncture points;
Cupping: Specific locations and methods for allergies;
Recommendations of which foods to avoid/reduce and what to embrace in your diet to help your system heal;
Some heat therapy methods;
Ear seeds to help sustain treatment effectiveness between appointments;
Teaching you self-acupressure points to stimulate for effective allergy relief;
Stress relief – your symptoms can
Outcomes:
TCM acupuncture can be very effective at both alleviating current and future allergy symptoms, as well as working to heal the deeper issue the allergy is flagging for us. While we may need several treatments to reduce or alleviate symptoms, your longer term health and prevention are our goals. You can absolutely work with your medical professionals and with us, we won’t tell you to stop taking prescribed medications.
Call us at the clinic to schedule an appointment or, if you have questions, a free consultation to discuss whether acupuncture treatment may be the right option for you.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.html
Cohen, Clara. Class notes: Acupro Academy Masterclass – TCM Treatments for Allergies.
Glascow, Kimberly. Class Notes, Advanced Points Course.
Maciocia, G. The Practice of Chinese Medicine, Second Ed., 2008, Churchill, Livingstone, Elsevier.
