Allergy Season is Here
Spring is finally here. Along with the pretty flowers and blooming trees comes, for some, seasonal allergies. Itchy, red, burning and teary eyes, head congestion, sneezing, runny nose, headaches, wheezing, cough, fatigue----just plain misery!
Whether your allergies are from hay fever, ragweed, foods such as peanuts or shellfish, or dog or cat dander and saliva, your symptoms are the result of a deeper imbalance in your body’s immune system.
Traditional Symptom Treatment
In the usual western method of treating these allergies, most doctors and pharmacists recommend antihistamines and/or steroids. Although these can often help, they frequently cause unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, nervousness and G-I disturbances. Or they just don’t do the job very well. Another treatment can be allergy shots. These are costly and require a lot of time for office visits and time to respond. They can also cause significant allergic responses themselves.
Because of these issues, many people are turning to the ancient Chinese medical approach of acupuncture to treat their allergies.
Acupuncture corrects the Cause of Allergies
Acupuncture, unlike western medicine that attempts to treat symptoms, aims to correct the root cause of the allergic response. That cause, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is an attack upon the body’s protective energy, or Qi. The introduction of very thin acupuncture needles at specific points around the body stimulates and strengthens our immune system, restores the flow of our Qi (energy), allows our body to expel toxins that have accumulated, and stimulates our “internal pharmacy” to produce the neuro-chemicals and neuro-hormones that help our bodies to heal.
Response is often surprisingly quick---some people are free of the symptoms of allergies in 3-4 sessions. Others may take longer. Many who have failed to respond well to the usual western medicines are amazed at their response to acupuncture. Some, in consultation with their physician, may then be able to reduce or stop their medicine.
Additional ways you can lessen your environmental exposure and strengthen your immune system are:
- Vacuum rugs and mattresses with HEPA filter vacuums
- Stay inside as much as possible during days with high pollen counts
- Wash bed linens frequently with hot water
- Avoid high exposure to animal dander and saliva
- Get plenty of sleep and regular exercise
- Drink 6-8 large glasses of water daily
- Avoid sweets (sodas, candy, desserts, gum)
- Eat healthy whole foods, such as organically-grown Granny Smith apples, pears, beets, carrots and other fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as brown rice, miso soup, and generous use of fresh lemons and lime
