Research tells us that acupuncture has been beneficial in treating a variety of conditions including high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, and headaches, just to name a few. The good news is, you can add allergy symptoms to that list as well.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation recommends that doctors offer acupuncture to those patients looking for a drug-free treatment option for allergies. Anyone suffering from severe allergies knows the “brain fog” that can come from some of the medications prescribed for dealing with allergy symptoms. Acupuncture provides an effective, non-pharmacological option for patients.

The symptoms associated with allergies can be miserable and include swollen/watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, allergic eczema, and conjunctivitis. When using acupuncture to treat allergies, several meridians can be targeted including the lungs, stomach, spleen, and colon. Stimulating these points can restore qi, thus relieving the symptoms. A study by the Mayo Clinic explains that acupuncture works directly on the nerve fibers sending messages to the brain and influencing the autonomic nervous system to transmit signals within the body, which can stimulate the immune system.

What the Research Says

There are studies that suggest acupuncture is helpful in treating allergic rhinitis. For example, a 2015 review of 13 randomized-control studies of more than 2,000 participants found that those receiving acupuncture had a significant reduction in nasal symptoms and immunoglobulin E (defined as antibodies that are over produced in the body’s response to allergens)1. Acupuncture patients also had a reduction in the need to take medication to treat their allergy symptoms. Smaller studies also found acupuncture to be beneficial when compared to the use of antihistamines.

Treatment plans will differ for each person depending on the severity and type of symptoms. As a general assessment, typical allergy acupuncture treatments will involve weekly or twice-weekly appointments spanning several weeks or even months depending on the symptoms. We can then determine if annual or semi-annual treatments are needed to maintain results.

In addition to your acupuncture treatments, there are other steps you can take to minimize your symptoms:

• Do a spring cleaning and clean out particularly dusty or moldy areas of your home like air vents, basements, attics, and closets
• Stick to indoor activities to minimize pollen exposure
• Keep doors and windows closed
• Take a shower to rinse off pollen after outdoor activities

The root cause of allergies is different for everyone and the symptoms of allergies can be debilitating and impact a person’s quality of life. If medication hasn’t worked for you, find out about additional treatment options that might help to relieve your allergy symptoms. 

Don’t wait, make an appointment with me today to see how acupuncture can help relieve your allergy symptoms! 

Sources:
1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4116 ​​

The post Acupuncture Can Help You Deal with Allergy Symptoms appeared first on Tybee Acupuncture.

Do you ever feel your life is a ride that won’t ever stop? How many nights do you wait for Mr. Sandman to magically appear? How often do you truly take time for yourself? Do you have aches and pains almost daily? Are over-the-counter or prescription medications controlling your life? When was the last time you actually felt at peace? If any of these questions resonate with you, then it might be time to look at Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for an answer. People in Asian countries have known the magnificence of acupuncture for thousands of years. Chinese Medicine is growing in popularity in the United States and here are some reasons why you might also want to consider utilizing it.

Insomnia / Restless Sleep

Acupuncture can address imbalances in your body that may contribute to your inability to get a good night’s sleep. An acupuncture treatment can actually encourage the brain to produce the chemicals that help you relax and sleep better. If you have difficulty falling asleep, you wake up frequently or you toss and turn a lot, acupuncture might just be the missing link.

Anxiety / Depression

Thousands of people in the U.S. suffer from depression and anxiety. While there are many amazing therapists available to talk to, psychotherapy may not be enough. Also, many of the prescription medications available have terrible side effects. This is where acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can help. Acupuncture can actually start to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in as few as two treatments without any harsh side effects.

Allergies

Runny nose? Sneezing? Watery, itchy eyes? Does this sound familiar?                     Seasonal or otherwise, allergies can be debilitating.  But multiple studies have shown that allergy symptoms can be decreased and sometimes even eliminated with the use of regular acupuncture treatments. Immunity begins in the gut and acupuncture treatments for allergies will focus on the energetic meridians that support your immune system, as well as use local points to help relieve the various symptoms.

Migraines

For those who suffer from these monsters, life can be a toss of the dice. Migraines can come on without warning and can be completely devastating; yet again, the pharmaceuticals that most migraine sufferers are prescribed can lead to harsh side effects. Acupuncture can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines over time.

Menstruation Issues

Many women suffer monthly from menstruation problems. It can be that the period is irregular, painful or so heavy that it leads to anemia and fatigue. There can also be mental-health effects associated with periods such as depression and anger.  Over-the-counter medications only mask the symptoms. To treat the root of the problem, give acupuncture a try. Once again, it’s all about balancing your body; that’s how acupuncture works to regulate menstrual problems.

Chronic Pain

Pain is the number one reason why people turn to acupuncture, and for good reason; if you’ve tried everything else and have gotten little to no relief, acupuncture may be right for you. Remember, however, that chronic pain took time to develop and it will also take time for acupuncture treatments to work. Many people get some relief immediately, but acupuncture works on a cumulative basis, so commitment to the process is a must.

Preventive Medicine

Did you know that acupuncture’s main function is to help keep you healthy? If not, then you’re not alone. While acupuncture may not be known for preventive care, it should be; waiting until there is an injury or illness will only cause the treatments to take longer. Using acupuncture preemptively will help you fight off illness and let you recover more quickly. That’s reason enough to give it a try.

Now that you know how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you, what are you waiting for? Contact me and go get healthy!

The post 7 Reasons to Seek Out Acupuncture appeared first on Tybee Acupuncture.