Healing Allergies
   with Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Today, more and more people seem to be suffering from seasonal allergies. Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, are due to an over-reactivity of the immune system to certain environmental allergens. During Spring and Summer, allergies are generally induced by wind-born allergens and can cause such symptoms as: sneezing; nasal congestion; runny nose; watery, itchy, or red eyes; headaches; fatigue; and sometimes coughing and wheezing. When allergens and antibodies react in individuals with allergic rhinitis, their nasal mucosa becomes swollen and may obstruct drainage from the sinuses causing sinusitis in many people. Thus, chronic sinus infections are a frequent complication and consequence of allergic rhinitis.

While Spring and Summer are the seasons of the year that bring us outdoors, many people are unable to enjoy these warmer months due to uncomfortable symptoms. Adults and children are increasingly suffering with spring allergies from trees, pollen, flowers, weeds, grass, etc. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help bring relief of symptoms, correct imbalances of the immune system, resolve the allergic response to allergens, and allow healing of tissues of the sinuses, eyes, and mucous membranes.

From a Chinese point of view, allergic rhinitis is most often due to an immune system weakness and/or hyperactivity. We call this a weakness of the Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems, combined with retention of chronic inflammation or "Wind Heat" in the upper respiratory system.

Dryness of the mucous membranes may result in increased sensitivity to environmental allergens. This dryness can come from a long winter of dry-heat from based board and forced hot air units in our homes and work places during the winter months. Dry-heat causes systemic dehydration and a thinning of the mucosa layer on the membranes of the entire respiratory system. Keeping the humidity levels in your home and at work is strongly advised for those with allergies, and tendencies towards upper respiratory infections. This will help reduce the severity of allergies in the spring and summer.

Allergic rhinitis often starts in childhood, with a constitutional weakness, but it may also start later in life, with a progressive decline of hydration, adrenal function and/or and immune strength. Lung and Kidney Qi Deficiency is the most coming allergy pattern in Chinese Medicine. Therefore, with herbal medicine and acupuncture (traditional or needle-free) we strengthen the overall function of these organs.

The manifestation of the disease is allergens or "Wind" invading the Lung channel in the nose is due to a weak immune system or protective energy called "Wei Qi" that cases the allergic response. With regiments of herbs, acupuncture, NAET allergy elimination and nutrition we can clear the allergens, reduce congestion, relieve itchy and water eyes and open the nasal passages. It is necessary to treat both the cause (immune system/adrenals) and the symptoms (allergies) in order to produce lasting results.

The Western treatment of allergic rhinitis relies mostly on the use of antihistamine and steroidal agents. Unfortunately, antihistamines both only treat the manifestations of the disease and not the root cause. In addition, they cause side-effects such as dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, dryness, and gastro-intestinal disturbance. The ongoing use of steroidal products can have many side effects including lowering the immune function and impairing the body's own ability to produce it natural anti-inflammatory chemical called cortisol (which comes from the adrenal glands). Also, prolonged use of steroidal sinus sprays can severely damage and degenerate the mucous membranes of the sinuses comparable to that of habitual cocaine users!

Chinese medicine offers allergy sufferers a safe and natural way to strengthen your immune system and significantly reduce symptoms, without any negative side effects.

I speak not only as an acupuncturist, but as a long-time allergy sufferer as well. I had suffered with severe year round allergies since childhood and was able to get rid of them for ever. I spent years researching and studying the most effective holistic methods to resolve allergies. Using techniques like NAET, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, supplements, diet and nutrition and lifestyle consulting we can help you and your child to say goodbye to food and environmental allergies forever!