Acupuncture for Allergies and Sinus Relief
Spring is the time of year where I get excited at the prospect of longer days, warmer weather, and just a general feeling of wellbeing from shedding the winter posture. You know the one where you slump your shoulders in to protect yourself from being smacked in the face by Vancouver wind and rain. Unfortunately for some of us, this warmer time of year invites pollen from trees, flowers, and grass to fly all around causing all sorts of symptoms. Itchy eyes and incessant sneezing are enough to have us running to the nearest drugstore begging the pharmacists to give us the best antihistamine to make it all stop.
So how do these wonderful little antihistamines work? Well your body produces a chemical called histamine when you come into contact with an allergen. This histamine attaches to cells in your body causing them to swell and to leak fluid. This causes symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, water eyes, etc. Antihistamines block histamines from attaching to cells and thereby prevent symptoms.
The treatment of allergies and sinusitis with traditional Chinese acupuncture is twofold. Acupuncture points are chosen to help alleviate allergy symptoms at the same time points are also chosen specifically for the individual to address the root cause of the symptoms and to strengthen the immune system. There have been many studies done that confirm the efficacy of acupuncture for allergies. One study was published in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that when allergy sufferers received weekly acupuncture treatments they showed fewer symptoms and also their symptoms were less infringing on daily life compared to those who received a placebo treatment. After 6 weeks, it was found that 85% of patients showed improvements in allergy symptoms compared to only 40% in the placebo group.
It is easy to overuse antihistamines. Some of the side effects of using antihistamines resemble allergic reactions themselves so you take more pills and it becomes a vicious cycle. Unlike using antihistamines, acupuncture has no adverse side effects when done by a qualified practitioner. Some of acupuncture’s effects are to increase the immune system, relieve pain and stress, decrease inflammation, promote better quality sleep, just to name a few. So whey not give acupuncture a try.
Suka Yee is a registered Acupuncturist in downtown Vancouver.
To book an acupuncture appointment with Suka, email: suka@acupoint.ca or call (604) 688-7710
