Natural treatment of Seasonal Allergies with Acupuncture and Nutrition
It’s that time of the year when ragweed pollen is affecting many people, causing runny nose, sinus congestion and pressure, scratchy throat, itchy and watery eyes, and coughing or wheezing. In the duration of one day, a ragweed plant can produce one million grains of pollen! That is a lot of pollen to battle with from now until the first frost. In this post I will go over natural remedies for battling and reducing allergies, including acupuncture, nutrition and other lifestyle factors.
Acupuncture has shown to help reduce allergy symptoms and the need
for antihistamines. See this article from CNN.com on the scientific study. People with allergies are hypersensitive to a given allergen and the immune system responds by producing IgE, histamine and other chemicals that cause the symptoms associated with allergies. The goal of treatment of seasonal allergies with acupuncture is to treat the symptoms but also address the underlying condition and reduce the sensitivity to the allergen. Acupuncture increases blood circulation and reduces pain and pressure, usually resulting in immediate relief from some allergy symptoms. Patients that come in with a stuffy nose often remark during treatment how they can breath through their nose again! It takes time to treat seasonal allergies and at each treatment you will be treated for the symptoms and the underlying condition. The usual outcome is that after each treatment the body will be less sensitive to the allergen and produce less severe symptoms and the symptoms will continue to decrease as the treatments continue. This may take anywhere from 4 to 10 or more treatments depending on your condition. At Red Panda Acupuncture in Jenkintown, PA we use an allergy reduction technique, NAET, in addition to acupuncture or acupressure. With this allergy reduction technique we treat specific allergens that you are hypersensitive to, reducing that sensitivity by freeing blockages and increasing circulation.
There are many important things you can do at home to keep your immune system strong during allergy system and reduce the formation of phlegm and congestion. Eating nutritiously, drinking enough water, and exercising regularly are important. If you do produce a lot of phlegm mucus and are congested often, eat mostly vegetables and protein and stay away from dairy, sugar, wheat and alcohol products. Dairy, sugar, and wheat products tend to cause phlegm build up in the body. Add carrot, celery, radish and onion to your meals. They help to clear inflammation, strengthen the lungs, and decrease phlegm. A nutritious diet for most people includes plenty of fruit and vegetables and protein, avoiding processed foods, fried foods, sodas, and sugar.
If you are suffering from seasonal allergies, schedule an appointment and see how acupuncture can help you enjoy the outdoors during (in my opinion) the most beautiful time in the Northeast!
Wishing you health and happiness,
Kearney DeFillipo L.Ac.
