Wellness Wednesday: Taking Charge of Seasonal Allergies With Acupuncture

Seasonal Allergies

Spring is here, and with the warmer weather upon us allergy related symptoms can make it difficult to enjoy. Seasonal allergies, whether in the spring or fall, affect roughly 35 million Americans each year as the pollen from trees, grass, flowers, and plants makes its way into the air.

That's a staggering amount of people who typically get a prescription from their doctor or over-the-counter remedy to ease their pain/annoyance. Conventional medicine's answer to itchy eyes, sneezing, runny noses and respiratory inflammation usually entails an arsenal of antihistamines that can make you drowsy and do very little to combat the allergic reaction, or prevent it.

There is a growing trend to utilize a more holistic approach to treating the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Among those is traditional Chinese acupuncture, which has been shown to not only clear symptoms of allergies, but also help the body come into balance: clearing the underlying condition causing allergies and improving overall health.

The practice of inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body has been used in China for over 2,000 years, but in recent times has grown in popularity here in the U.S. Its purpose is to balance the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. Western medicine uses the technique a little differently---by stimulating nerves and muscle which can boost blood flow and be used as a natural painkiller.

All allergies, including seasonal manifestations, are a "sign of an imbalance in the immune system. Balancing and strengthening the body can be the best thing to decrease or even rid oneself of seasonal allergies altogether", according to Natural News.

There are two ways of using acupuncture to relieve seasonal allergies: the branch and root treatments. Branch treatment emphasizes on the allergy related symptoms that occur during the height of the season. Needles are placed usually on the head to combat watery eyes, throat, and sinus pressure. By opening the channels in those meridians, acupuncture is able to restore the proper flow of energy that is blocked.

Root treatment focuses on "strengthening the immune system, or the "root," also referred to as "The Righteous Qi."  By taking an in depth history of the patient an acupuncturist can determine the underlying causes of the allergic reaction, bring balance to their total physical health and stimulate the body to naturally heal itself.

A study published in the September 2004 issue of Allergy Magazine, stated the effectiveness of acupuncture was shown to have great promise as a treatment for seasonal allergies and recommended its use with herbal remedies.

As with any health issue, consult your physician and do your own research regarding all your natural options.

I've never tried acupuncture. Have you and did it help?

Praying for no sniffles in Granolaville,

Posted in: acupuncture,allergies,alternative medicine,healing,wellness wednesday