Acupuncture can relieve Allergies!
Using acupuncture and herbal remedies is not as far fetched as
you may believe in relief of allergies. While spring and summer
are the seasons of the year that bring us outdoors, many people
are unable to enjoy these warmer months due to uncomfortable
allergy symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine can help bring
relief of symptoms, correct imbalances of the immune system,
prevent the occurrence of infection, and allow healing of tissues
of the sinuses.
What are allergies?
In allopathic or western medicine allergies are defined
as a hyperactive immune response and treated with drugs
to suppress
the immune system. This suppression is in an effort to reduce
the annoying symptoms of allergic response such as nasal congestion,
itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose just to list a few. This
treatment only focuses on the symptoms never addressing the
root cause of the problem. It is estimated that 50 million
North Americans
are affected by allergic conditions and the cost of allergies
in the United States is more than $10 billion dollars yearly.
Acupuncture and Allergies
Acupuncture
and Chinese Herbal remedies can effectively treat allergies.
Relieving
the pain and symptoms
associated with sinusitis as a result of allergies is not
as difficult a task as one may think. Chinese Medical
Theory embraces
a concept of a defensive energy or Qi called “wei qi”.
Wei qi is dispersed throughout the body just under the skin layer
by the Lungs. The lungs in Traditional Chinese Theory control
all aspects related to allergies. The function of the wei qi
is to protect the body from pathogenic factors such as bacteria,
virus or parasites. In relation to allergies Traditional Chinese
Medicine also embraces the concept of “wind” as a
pathogen. This external wind can become trapped in the body and
is one of the causes of allergies. If the wei qi is deficient
(not enough of or of a poor quality) and allows the body to be
susceptible, then allergies may develop. The wei qi can prevent
the “wind”, which causes allergic symptoms,
from entering the body. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
create balance
and allow the immune system to renew and strengthen. This
enables the body to fight its own battle and win rather
than just ignore
the war and disguise the wounds so they do not show.
Treatment
of Allergies with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Relieving the pain and symptoms associated with sinusitis
as a result of allergies is not as difficult a task as
may think.
Small hair thin sterile needles are placed in and around
the sinuses on the face. This stimulation can at times
be a flood
gate for nasal mucous to drain and congestion to be dissipated.
Other body points to increase the Wei qi (defensive qi)
and Lung energy will also be used during the treatment.
There
should be
minimal to no pain during the treatment and pressure
should be relieved almost immediately. Several treatments
may
be needed to resolve the current symptoms completely
and then
to prevent
the allergies from returning.
There are many aspects to address when treating allergies
with TCM. Firstly, lifestyle plays a dramatic role in
either developing
a strong immune system or maintaining a weakened, depleted
one. Adequate rest is necessary to create effective immunity.
Moderate
exercise is also recommended. Lack of physical activity,
excessive sexual activity or overwork in general will
lead to an impaired
immune system. Secondly, nutrition is key in developing
and maintaining a healthy immune system. Whole foods
and simpler
food combinations
help to strengthen immunity. Avoiding alcohol, sugar,
refined or processed food will assist in maintaining
immunity.
Eating late at night disturbs the balance of the immune
system.
TCM theory suggests that night time is when the wei qi
replenishes itself. If the body has to concentrate on
digestion, the
wei
qi does not receive adequate recharging and will not
be able to protect the body the next day.
Lastly , the environment is an important aspect of staying
healthy and allergy free. Good feng shui and an clean
orderly working
and living environment should be maintained. Sunlight,
clean fresh air and pure water improve immunity. Avoid
exposure
to dampness or wind, and protect against other extremes
in climate.
In my experience allergies acan be effectively resolved
and prevented with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese
Medicine.
Traditional
methods of treatment create imbalance in the body
and make it more difficult to find resolution of
these
issues. Following
these simple strategies in conjunction with treatment
will ensure
your success in living without the stress of environmental
allergies. Seek out qualified, licensed and board
certified acupuncture
physicians to provide these therapies to you.
Christina Captain, DOM, AP, is a doctor of oriental medicine
and the owner of the Family Healing Center. Her clinic
is located in
Sarasota
at 1219
East Avenue South, Suite 104. Please call 941-951-1119 or visit
www.familyhealingcntr.com.
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