Daily Health Information

Allergies and Acupuncture

Posted: April 28, 2017
By: Karla

Are your allergies driving you crazy this season?

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies are increasing. They affect as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children. Allergic disease, including asthma, is the fifth leading chronic disease in the United States in all ages.

Seasonal allergies (also known as Hay Fever and Allergic rhinitis) result from the inflammation of the nasal airways and eyes caused by allergens such as ragweed pollen and other grass and tree pollens. Arizona used to be one of the best regions in the country for people suffering with allergies and asthma but with the large growth in population, the desert is now covered with green grass and new plant life. We love seeing all this spring vegetation. It is beautiful! But now we have too many allergens in the air. Not fun!

The symptoms of seasonal allergies vary between individuals but the main ones are sneezing, nasal itching, postnasal drip, red eyes, eye puffiness, headache, fatigue and cough.

The first step to address allergies is to avoid exposure. You can do this by staying indoors when the pollen counts are higher, keep home and car windows closed and the air conditioner on, making sure your air  conditioning filters are clean and HEPPA certified and showering before bed to remove pollen. All are good options and good guidelines to follow, however they are not enough.

Acupuncture is now recommended by the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology to treat allergies.  It is safe, effective and well researched.

The American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy published recently a meta-analysis comparing groups of patients that received acupuncture to control groups. The study concluded that Acupuncture “produced significantly greater diminution of nasal symptoms” and that “the acupuncture group has superior effects in reduction of both rhinitis symptoms and the requirement for anti-allergic medication compared with the control group.”  Acupuncture has a strong anti-inflammatory effect thus reducing the bodies response to allergens all in a drug free manner.

In another study conducted in the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology at the University Hospital Dresden, Germany, acupuncture treatment for dust mite allergy was 87% effective compared to 67% effectiveness of loratadine (Claritin®).  At 10 weeks after the completion of the study 80% of the acupuncture group and 0% of the loratadine group showed long-term relief.  This shows that acupuncture has a true therapeutic benefit compared to medication which may simply mask symptoms temporarily. This is not to mention the side effects that allergy medication can bring.

Alivia Acupuncture Clinic uses safe and effective acupuncture techniques, gua sha and Chinese nutritional counseling to help you. On your initial evaluation we will perform a complete evaluation, physical history and exam to determine what is going on with your body that is leading to your suffering and give you an individualize treatment plan. Knowing the root of your problem we can work so allergies won’t come back again and of course to get rid of the symptoms that you are suffering with at the moment.

It is better to start treatments before allergy season, however, it is not too late!! If you are having allergies acupuncture is waiting for you.

Call to make an appointment. Monday to Friday 8:30-2:30.

Office: 480-661-7000

Cell phone: 480-243-2453

www.aliviaacupunctureaz.com

info@aliviaacupunctureaz.co

References:

www.aafa.org

www.guideline.gov/summaries/summary/49010

Feng, Shaoyan, Miaomiao Han, Yunping Fan, Guangwei Yang, Zhenpeng Liao, Wei Liao, and Huabin Li. "Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis." American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy 29, no. 1 (2015): 57-62.

Hauswald, Bettina, Christina Dill, Jürgen Boxberger, Eberhard Kuhlisch, Thomas Zahnert, and Yury M. Yarin. “The effectiveness of acupuncture compared to loratadine in patients allergic to house dust mites.”

Murray MT, Pizzorno J. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Third Edition, Atria Paperback, 2012.

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