Allergies

Houston has had a difficult spring and early summer in terms of the weather. Flooding coupled with extreme heat and humidity can make trouble for people suffering from allergy symptoms. Although summer has begun and the season is lively with the promise of fun, troublesome pollens and allergens can make people sick very quickly. From mold spores to grasses, allergens can be hard on the nasal passages, causing inflammation and thickening of the mucous membranes. People with allergies also suffer from asthma outbreaks which can cause upper respiratory infections, and patients are checking in with their medical practitioners for relief from annoying symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, runny noses, coughing and itchy eyes. Before you decide to pop another antihistamine, take a look at how acupuncture may be the antidote that you are looking for:

Acupuncture is effective in multiple ways

In recent years, there have been a number of studies that have shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment for sinusitis and allergies and now the practice is gaining popularity among western doctors and patients. Acupuncture has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces the symptoms of nasal swelling and sinusitis. Acupuncture can also help positively and negatively regulate the immune system, which helps patients with low immune systems or auto-immune response problems. Acupuncture, if practiced correctly, can essentially reprogram someone’s immunity, making him or her virtually no longer allergic to the thing that caused so many problems.

Acupuncture has no side effects

Ever taken an over the counter or prescription antihistamine that left you feeling so sleepy you needed to crawl into bed? Side effects are one of the biggest drawbacks of using medications to treat allergies, and drowsiness is one of the most common side effects of medications like these, among other side effects like stomach upset or rashes. One of the best things about acupuncture is that there are zero side effects, so you can be sure that you won’t feel drained after trying it.

TCM isn’t just about the acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks beyond the allergy symptoms to uncover the underlying issues that may be exacerbating the symptoms. Rather than using a band-aid to cover the allergy problems (much like modern antihistamine medicines do), TCM practitioners look at the ‘whole picture’ of the patient’s constitution, diet, and specific allergic tendencies to try to find solutions. Things like what patients are eating and drinking can aggravate allergies. Also, TCM incorporates herbal remedies along with acupuncture to relieve allergy symptoms and solve the problem at the root. Practitioners can determine if there are organ deficiencies such as spleen and lung issues which can often cause allergy problems. While western medicine tends to focus on avoiding the allergen while taking medicines to treat the symptoms, TCM focuses on building exposure to the allergen and rooting out the problem indefinitely.

With the TCM approach, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment plan for everyone. Each individual will be assessed based on the current state of their health and what specific symptoms they have along with important lifestyle factors. It’s also important to remember that one session will not be a ‘cure all’ for allergy issues. Acupuncture should be viewed as a path to health and wholeness. To learn more about how Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help you manage your allergy symptoms, call 832.282.3306 or email us today.