Allergies are a common problem with symptoms ranging from the occasional sniffle to severe, life-threatening reactions. Many people don’t realize how very effective both acupuncture and Chinese herbs are for relieving the many symptoms associated with allergies.
55% of the U.S. population tests positive to one or more allergens. So, if allergies are this common, what exactly are they?
Allergies happen when your immune system has a reaction to something it considers harmful (even if it isn’t) and, in response, produces antibodies. Normally these antibodies help protect us from infection and illness, but with an allergic reaction, the antibodies can cause many unpleasant symptoms, including inflammation of the sinuses, airway, skin and digestive tract. People can be allergic to many things including certain foods, pet dander, medications, pollen, mold and insect bites.
Chinese Medicine techniques strengthen and balance your immune system so, over time, the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine and cupping can greatly reduce allergic reactions.
There are acupuncture points around the sinuses and elsewhere on the body that may provide almost immediate relief as well as offering cumulative benefits. Acupuncture opens the sinuses, relieves congestion, helps reduce inflammation and resolves many digestive complaints such as bloating, pain and gas. There are some common acupuncture points used to treat allergies.
Researchers have been testing acupuncture’s effects for a while. In 2008, The American Journal of Epidemiology published the results of a large German study of 5,237 people. The patients who received acupuncture had significantly more improvement in their allergy symptoms than those who received routine care alone.
For more information or arrange an appointment for acupuncture, contact our offices at (516) 419-4480 or (718) 215-1888.
