Allergies are not fun. They can be incredibly uncomfortable, make it hard to enjoy spring and summer activities, and even put you at a higher risk of getting sick. When hay fever is particularly severe, it can knock you out for the whole day, and the only medications that seem to help also put you to sleep. If you’re like many allergy sufferers you might be looking for a better way to get relief from all that itching and sneezing.
Acupuncture has been shown to improve symptoms of allergies. We’ve seen this measured in scientific studies as well as in countless personal accounts from patients. Is it worth trying acupuncture for your allergies? Today we’ll talk about why acupuncture works as a treatment for allergies and what to expect if you decide to try it.
What are allergies?
Allergies happen when your body’s immune system sees a normally harmless substance as a threat and overreacts to it by making antibodies. Then, when you’re exposed to the allergen, your body’s reaction causes inflammation in places like your sinuses, skin, and airways.
The worst time of year for your allergies depends on where you live and what you’re allergic to, but many people experience worsening symptoms when they spend more time outside, which is typically during spring and summer. You should also know that dust mites are a very common cause of indoor allergies.
When you’re exposed to allergens repeatedly, you end up with chronic allergic inflammation, which isn’t good for your long-term health.
Acupuncture for allergies: why does it work?
Acupuncture has been used to successfully treat an amazing number of health conditions for approximately 3,000 years beginning in ancient China. It’s only more recently that modern scientists have begun to understand exactly how it works.
Given that we know acupuncture helps reduce inflammation in the body and that symptoms of allergic conditions like hay fever, asthma, and eczema are all related to inflammation, it makes sense that acupuncture helps with allergies.
In fact, research suggests that acupuncture works at the cellular level by influencing the body’s production of certain proteins that help protect against allergic inflammation.
The evidence extends beyond scientific research too. Patients at our clinic and all over the world consistently report improvement in allergy symptoms after acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture vs. other allergy treatments
It’s important to get treatment for allergies, because untreated allergies leave your body in a constant state of inflammation and increase your risk of getting sick. (When your immune system is constantly battling allergens, it’s left with fewer resources to deal with real threats, like disease-causing germs.)
So how do you decide what treatment, or combination of treatments, is right for you?
The best news is that acupuncture is effective on its own or in conjunction with Western medicine. If you’re taking allergy medicines regularly, but you’re not seeing as much improvement as you’d like, you can get acupuncture treatments and continue your current medications.
One advantage of acupuncture is that it is a more natural treatment for allergies. There are no lingering side-effects (such as drowsiness or dryness) and it doesn’t involve introducing more chemicals into your body.
What to expect from acupuncture
At Pinpoint Acupuncture Clinic, we believe that your treatment plan should be tailored to your individual needs. When we first meet you, we’ll learn as much as we can about your situation, your allergies, current treatments you’re using, and your health history. Then we will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that addresses your concerns and wellness goals.
If you’ve been frustrated with allergies and just can’t seem to get the relief you need, we want to help. Acupuncture may just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact us today at our Scapoose location to schedule an appointment.