Spring is a time of renewal, and every year we watch with anticipation as the world reawakens. Animals emerge from their winter hiding places, and we witness seemingly dead plants burst back to life. The days begin to get warmer, and the dull and muted tones we see around us are replaced with lush and vibrant shades of every color. It is difficult not to feel inspired as you breathe in the fresh air and the aromas of newly blooming flowers.
But for some this time of year also causes concern, as they are thrust back into an ever raging battle. Itchy, swollen eyes, stuffy head, runny nose, constant sneezing… We’re talking, of course, about seasonal allergies.
Did you know that acupuncture can offer relief from allergies?
There are many different courses of treatment for allergies, but many provide only temporary relief. Often those who suffer from consistent allergies are relying heavily on medications, nasal sprays and other products that target each symptom individually. Sometimes they’ll have an entire medicine cabinet’s worth of products, which they have to carry around with them to be ready for when it hits.
Acupuncture treatments can not only help to clear up existing symptoms, but also to restore balance to the body, lessening the reaction to airborne pollen and dust. This can mean less frequent “attacks”, and less severe symptoms.
This article from the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture provides a brief summary of how acupuncture treatments can affect allergies:
And this article from CNN discusses the most well known clinical trial on the subject:
Though considered to be inconclusive in the end, those performing the trial did experience enough of an improvement for the patients receiving acupuncture to take note. We here at HCA have had great success treating allergies, as have many practitioners.
Acupuncture is not necessarily meant to completely replace medications or other remedies, but is has been shown to greatly lessen the symptoms and the need for such additional remedies. Every body is different, so it is a matter of finding the right course of action and combination of treatment for you.
If you’re experiencing troublesome allergies, talk to your acupuncturist about treatment.