Seasonal Allergies and Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used to treat seasonal
allergies for centuries with great success.
According to traditional medicine, treatment is
directed toward clearing the nasal passages,
supporting the immune system and strengthening the
systems of the body to prevent allergic reactions
from recurring.
What are Seasonal Allergies?
Commonly called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, a
seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction to a
trigger that is typically only present for part of
the year, such as spring or fall. Pollens that are
spread by the wind are usually the main cause of
seasonal allergies. People who are allergic to
pollens are also often sensitive to dust mites,
animal dander, and molds.
Spring is traditionally the main season when
allergies blossom because of new growth on trees and
weeds. But fall, with a whole different set of
blooming plants as well as leaf mold, is a close
second.
About 26 million Americans endure chronic seasonal
allergies, while the number of people with milder
symptoms may be as high as 40 million, according to
the National Center for Health Statistics.
Seasonal allergies are caused by the body's
hypersensitivity to substances in the environment.
Symptoms involve primarily the membrane lining the
nose, causing allergic rhinitis, or the membrane
lining the eyelids and covering the whites of the
eyes, causing allergic conjunctivitis.
While there are many Western medications to treat
the symptoms of seasonal allergies, these treatments
can cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness
and immune system suppression as well as an
over-reliance on medications. These side effects
have drawn many people to search for an alternative
approach, such as acupuncture and Oriental medicine
to manage their allergies.
How Acupuncture Treatments Provide Relief from
Allergies
According to Oriental Medicine, allergic rhinitis is
related to Wind and a deficiency of the
ProtectiveWei Qi. Wei Qi is the Qi that flows at the
surface of the body as a protective sheath and is
responsible for resistance to colds and other
respiratory infections. People with a deficiency of
Wei Qi catch colds easily and are more susceptible
to allergens.
When treating with acupuncture, underlying
imbalances within the body are addressed and a
treatment plan is developed to relieve the acute
symptoms of allergic rhinitis while also treating
the root problems that are contributing to the
body's reaction to allergens. Treatments often
include dietary modification, the use of
specifically chosen herbal formulas, and
acupuncture.
If you experience seasonal allergies, now is the
time to schedule an appointment. Please call for a
consultation today.
Studies on Acupuncture for Allergies
There have been several studies that confirm the
efficacy of acupuncture and herbal medicine for
allergic rhinitis.
One such study recently published in the American
Journal of Epidemiology showed that acupuncture
can significantly relieve allergic rhinitis
symptoms.
In the study, 5,237 men and women were analyzed to
evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in
addition to routine care in patients with allergic
rhinitis compared with treatment with routine care
alone.
In this trial, patients with allergic rhinitis were
randomly allocated to receive acupuncture for a 3
month period or to a control group that received no
acupuncture. All patients were allowed to receive
usual medical care.
Improvements were noted at the 3 month and the 6
month evaluation for the patients receiving
acupuncture. The authors of this trial concluded
that treating patients with allergic rhinitis in
routine care with additional acupuncture leads to
clinically relevant and persistent benefits.
Another study that was published in Allergy:
European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
found that hay fever sufferers who received weekly
acupuncture treatments and took three daily doses of
medical herbal tea showed fewer symptoms and were
less likely to say their hay fever was infringing on
their daily activities than people who received
placebo treatment. After six weeks it was found that
85 percent of patients showed overall improvements
in their hay fever, compared with only 40 percent of
the placebo group.
Sources:
Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology. September, 2004
American Journal of Epidemiology. November, 2008
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In This Issue
- Seasonal Allergies and Acupuncture
- Studies on Acupuncture for Allergies
- Foods for Seasonal Allergies
Foods for Seasonal Allergies
Ginger: Ginger is a natural antihistamine
and decongestant. It may provide some relief
from allergy symptoms by dilating constricted
bronchial tubes.
Apples: Some foods, including apples,
contain the flavanoid, quercetin that can
cross-react with tree pollen. Quercetin can
reduce allergic reactions by having an
antihistamine effect. It also decreases
inflammation. Quercetin occurs naturally in
certain foods, such as apples (with the skin
on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers,
and black tea.
Carrots: Carotenoids are a family of
plant pigments that include beta-carotene. A
lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to
promote inflammation in your airways. Good
sources of carotenoids include apricots,
carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale,
butternut squash, and collard greens.
Omega-3: Omega-3 essential fatty acids
can counter the formation of chemicals that
cause inflammation of the air passages. Good
natural sources include flaxseed oil and salmon.
Yogurt: Food sensitivities seem to be
connected with seasonal allergies. In a study
conducted at the University of California,
patients who were fed 18 to 24 ounces of yogurt
a day experienced a decline in their
environmental allergic symptoms by 90 percent.
Fiber: A healthy and active colon can
decrease food sensitivity, which, in turn, can
lighten the burden on your immune system and may
reduce the impact of seasonal allergies. For
maximum colon health, increase the fiber in your
diet.
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