Spring brings us green grass, flowers in bloom, leaves on the trees and, unfortunately, allergies. Allergies are overactive responses created by the immune system to substances in our environment. The substances, also called "allergens," usually stem from pollen, ragweed, dust, mites, pet hair and chemical products.
Due to the climate changes, plants have had higher pollen production as of late in the Spring and Summer months. Furthermore, the global pandemic has heightened the effects of allergies because a lot of people haven't been outside without a mask in quite some time, and their bodies have lost some of the adaptation to the environmental factors (pollen, grass etc.).
While prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications can be very helpful in treating allergy symptoms, they can cause you to become sleepy, drowsy, dizzy, or nauseous. Fortunately, methods like acupuncture & clinical herbal medicine can combat all this, minus the side-effects. Acupuncture, unlike allergy medicine, is a non-drug alternative that's been used for thousands of years as Traditional Chinese Medicine. Another bonus is that it's pain-free and works for an extended period of time. Our long-term patients report a significant decrease or complete elimination of all seasonal allergy symptoms after several series of treatments.
While treatments during allergy season can bring immediate relief of the sneezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes etc., to eliminate them requires a long-term approach. Our clinic offers solutions for both an immediate and a long-term approach.
Allergy treatments with acupuncture consist of weekly or twice-weekly appointments during the allergy season. Ideally, treatments will start prior to the full onset of the Spring bloom and continuing until your symptoms are reduced or eliminated (depending on your symptom severity - more severe allergy symptoms will require more treatments). These treatments could be followed by seasonal or annual booster treatments.
3 Ways Acupuncture Provides Relief from Allergy Symptoms:
- BOOSTS IMMUNITY: Acupuncture helps to improve your immune system and decrease inflammation. As a result, it opens passages so fluid can flow, and pressure and pain disappear.
- CALMS MIND AND SPIRIT: Acupuncture treatments help patients unwind from life's constant demands, which can intensify allergy symptoms caused by their allergens.
- RELIEVES PAIN: Acupuncture relaxes both the body and mind. Pressure is also removed from the head, sinuses, neck, and chest. The acupuncture treatment, in turn, brings balance to the body and alleviates pain.
Other Things to Do to Lessen Allergy Reactions:
- Perform a spring cleaning in your living area. This includes cleaning out dusty areas like air vents, basements, and attics.
- Do indoor activities to lessen pollen exposure.
- Keep your windows and doors closed.
- After going outside, take a shower to rinse off pollen.
