Allergies
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, affect thousands of people in our area every year. Symptoms may include itchy and watery eyes, a runny or congested nose, coughing, sneezing, and a sinus-related headache. These reactions to an allergen or allergens are the result of a learned response by an imbalanced immune system.
Western medications rely on inhibiting or suppressing the allergic response with drugs such as antihistamines, nasal decongestants, and even steroids. These treatments, while effective in the short-term, can cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness and immune system suppression. This leads many people to seek alternative approaches to managing their allergies.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have proven to be an effective alternative to an over-reliance on medications for many seasonal allergy sufferers. Treatment initially focuses on addressing the symptoms with the ultimate goal of regulating and strengthening the immune system so that the patient’s allergy symptoms are minimized or even completely relieved. There is a neurophysiologic response to the insertion of strategically placed needles that serves to quell the inflammatory response associated with an allergic reaction.
Recommended Resources:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/04/03/acupuncture-pins-down-allergy-relief/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergy/acupuncture-may-help-seasonal-allergies-study-finds-6762.aspx