allergies

It’s spring again, and  the trees are exploding! Although beautiful to look at, the pollen from these trees can cause a lot of problems in people with seasonal allergies.

I will show you 5 things you can do now to alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms. But first, I want to tell you a little bit about how we view allergies in Chinese medicine. 

An allergy is a hypersensitive reaction to a particular substance, often tree pollen, grasses, weeds, dust mites, pet dander, etc. The symptoms vary from one person to the next, but commonly include itchy, red, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, dry cough, headaches, and fatigue.

The common medications taken for allergies can often make someone feel even worse (headaches, fatigue) and only address symptoms, not the root cause.

And what is the root cause?

Allergy symptoms arise due to an immune system imbalance. The imbalance can be exacerbated by stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are great ways to treat both the symptoms of seasonal allergies as well as the underlying cause. The best time to start treatments is BEFORE the arrival of spring, but you can still get plenty of benefit if you start when symptoms manifest, if you also make changes at home.

Treating the symptoms

Acupuncture uses a combination of local points in the head and “distal” points (points in the hands and feet) to help stuck energy flow through the body. (Read my e-book about how acupuncture works beyond the standard “qi” explanation)

I have worked with patients who have experienced immediate clearing of the nasal passages during a treatment, but we always address the root cause as well.

Treating the Root

It is equally important to treat the underlying cause. This is why acupuncturists do a complete assessment to arrive at a diagnosis (explained in Chinese medical terms) to treat the individual. In this way the body is able to heal itself, because “balance” is restored. Another word for balance is homeostasis.

Even though we are treating “allergies” per se, an acupuncturist can see that imbalances are highly individualized. Your allergies may not be caused by the same imbalances as your friend’s.

Chinese medicine does a wonderful job in treating individual people in their own individual environments. For example, chronic sinus congestion may be a recurring problem for those who have previously taken antibiotics. It can also manifest in those with a “damp” constitution. Dampness is described as a fixed and heavy obstruction which can reside at the physical, mental, or functional level, and I could write another entire blog (or book) about it. Living in a damp environment such as a humid climate or a damp basement may also contribute. 

It is very possible that someone may simply not have enough energy to allow “clear yang” to reside in the head, which can also contribute to all the symptoms of allergies that are experienced from the neck up.

Dryness can also cause problems. Here in Colorado it is also common to experience nasal congestion because of our dry climate. People suffering from sinus congestion due to dryness often do well with humidifiers and neti pots.

Acupuncture takes all this into consideration.

Sometimes, a combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture is the best way to go to help someone clear symptoms and prevent further symptoms from arising. A good acupuncturist will also give nutritional advice. This is VERY important. Without a proper diet, weekly treatments will not produce results. 

Acupuncture alone cannot counteract a poor diet composed of processed foods, sugar, and a heavy amount of dairy products.

Here are 5 things you can do right now:

1. Avoid sugar, processed foods, and dairy. These foods can create a lot of “dampness” in the body. In the spring, it is best to eat lighter, more “cleansing” foods. (Think GREEN foods, like spring lettuce, spinach, kale, etc)

2. Use a neti pot to help keep nasal passages clear. 

3. Eat local honey. This may help your body recognize local pollens, so that your body does not see it as a foreign invader to react against in the future.

 4.Try acupressure points. Massage your forehead, around the nose, around the inner ankle bone, and the inside of your shin from the ankle bone to the knee.

5. Acupuncture, of course!