March 12, 2024
It’s that time of the year again to grab your tissues and head off to the local pharmacy for antihistamines. Seasonal allergies! The struggle is real for millions of people around the world.
Although over-the-counter remedies are a good way to help you reduce your symptoms and get through your day, they certainly are not a cure, just a Band-Aid. So what can you do to help with the actual cause of the symptoms so that you can get through spring without popping all of those pills? You could try acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, I would never give a diagnosis for allergic rhinitis, because our medicine doesn’t have such a diagnostic pattern. There are multiple patterns of imbalance in the body that can lead to seasonal allergies. Each client needs to be assessed individually to see what is out of balance in their particular case. This imbalance is treated and leads to a stronger system that does not succumb to the allergens that invade it. Thus, no more symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes and nose, and sneezing.
Perhaps you have had allergies since you can remember, or you started to develop them as you got older. Either way acupuncture can help.
What tools do we have to treat your allergies?
First, we have acupuncture treatments. Practitioners select points based on your specific diagnosis. In addition, needling points on the head often gives immediate relief to sinus issues like congestion and runny nose. Multiple treatments are necessary in almost all cases. The imbalances in your body that lead to the allergic reactions did not happen overnight and will not go away in just one treatment.
Herbal medicine is another option in our toolbox. Once again, practitioners select the formula based on your diagnosis. The herbs are an extension of the acupuncture treatments and are working on the same imbalances. If taken as directed, they can speed up the process of ridding yourself of this unwelcome seasonal condition.
Nutrition therapy is also not only helpful, but often necessary. The most common imbalances underlying seasonal allergies involve the meridians and organ systems of the Spleen and Stomach as well as the Kidney and Liver. Simple changes like eliminating foods that put more strain on these systems and adding foods that help to support and nourish them can be a big part of a long-term solution.
If you are tired of dreading the arrival of spring or fall, or if you would like to look at a more permanent solution than just taking pills for weeks on end, you should give acupuncture a try. If you have questions about whether acupuncture and Chinese medicine would be a good fit for you, please click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation either on the phone or in person. I would love to see you at Balance Studio in Denver and get you looking forward to every season.