Acupuncture Treatments & Allergy Treatments
Acupuncture Treatments Improve Allergies
For many allergy sufferers, over-the-counter medications and other remedies may not provide relief. Acupuncture is a natural treatment option that utilizes the body's own energy to lessen allergy symptoms.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur when an individual's immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen or food that doesn't cause a reaction in most people. It is a state of hypersensitivity due to exposure to a specific antigen causing harmful immunologic reactions.
When you have allergies, your body produces antibodies that identify a specific allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. This means when you come into contact with a particular allergen, your immune system's reaction can inflame your sinuses, skin, airways, or digestive system.
Exposure to an allergen, such as pollen, triggers a considerable release of IgE antibodies, which attach to mast cells. These cells are located in the lungs, respiratory tract, stomach lining, and skin. They release histamine which produces the allergic response when stimulated.
Symptoms & Causes of Allergies
Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Common allergy triggers include:
- Airborne allergens like animal dander, pollen, dust mites, and mold.
- Certain foods, mainly tree nuts, wheat, fish, eggs, and milk.
- Insect stings from a bee or wasp.
- Medications such as penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics.
- Latex or other substances you touch, which can cause allergic skin reactions.
The symptoms of allergies are produced by exposure to cold, contact, drugs, food, fragrances, pollen, sun, etc. Common allergy symptoms include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Rashes
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
How Are Allergies Diagnosed?
To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your physician will ask about your signs and symptoms, perform a physical exam, and have you keep a detailed diary of your symptoms.
If you suspect you have a food allergy, your physician may ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat and ask if you've stopped eating the suspected food during the allergy evaluation.
Your physician may also recommend a skin or blood test to identify sensitivity to possible allergens.
Medical Treatments For Allergies
Allergy treatments include:
- Allergen avoidance. Your physician will help you identify and avoid your allergy triggers.
- Medications. Medications may help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Over-the-counter medications may come in the form of pills or liquid, nasal sprays, or eye drops.
- Immunotherapy. This treatment involves several injections of purified allergen extracts given over a period of a few years. Another form of immunotherapy is a tablet placed under the tongue until it dissolves.
- Emergency epinephrine. Severe allergies may require you to carry an emergency epinephrine shot at all times.
Home Treatments for Allergies
Some allergies improve with home treatment.
- Sinus congestion and hay fever symptoms. A saline nasal irrigation can be used to relieve symptoms. You can use a neti pot to flush out irritants from your nose.
- Household airborne allergy symptoms. To reduce your exposure to dust mites or pet dander, frequently wash bedding and stuffed toys in hot water.
- Mold allergy symptoms. Reduce moisture in damp areas by using fans and dehumidifiers.
How Can Acupuncture Help Alleviate Allergies?
Acupuncture treats several symptoms of allergies including:
- Itchy eyes and throat
- Headaches
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Congestion
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms mean that energy (or "qi") is not flowing smoothly inside the body. Therefore the channels need to be opened to restore the flow of energy inside the body.
Acupuncture is excellent in treating symptoms of allergies. Many allergy symptoms are located above the neck (headaches, itchy eyes, runny nose). This treatment can open the channels in the neck and shoulders and allow the energy to flow smoothly. Needles can be placed directly on the areas of pain (such as the head) to treat symptoms more locally as well.
When treating someone with allergies, acupuncture looks at the whole body. Often those with chronic allergies show signs of spleen or kidney deficiency as well as lung signs. The goal of treatment is to develop a plan which addresses the acute symptoms and provide relief as well as addressing the underlying imbalance with the immune system.
The video below describes how acupuncture is performed and commonly asked questions. Many people seek acupuncture for managing their allergies without medications. Acupuncture therapy it is useful when combined with conservative therapy and medical treatments.
Combining Acupuncture with Other Treatments
Acupuncture for allergies can be combined with other treatments such as Massage Therapy to help alleviate symptoms. The health benefits that normally associated with Massage Therapy such as stress reduction, improved circulation, and enhanced immunity can improve an individual's tolerance off allergy symptoms.
Chiropractic adjustments may also help regulate the amount of histamine and cortisol produced during high allergy season.
Conclusion
Learn more about Acupuncture in our Chandler AZ Clinic. Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, and Acupuncture can be used alone or combined to enhance many types of treatments and injuries. Many people with chronic pain find significant relief when combining these treatments.
Alpha Chiropractic and Physical Therapy provides treatment for many patients in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and Maricopa. Most patients have never seen a clinic that combines treatments from different providers in improving your pain. Learn more about our unique Chandler Chiropractic Clinic.
Click Here to Receive a $40 Certificate for your 1st Acupuncture Treatment and Evaluation.