Tis the season Healing Point Wellness Center - Lakeville and Livonia New York - Acupuncture - Cold Laser Therapy - Hypnosis - Reiki

'Tis the season for sneezin'
By Douglas McDaniel, L.Ac.

Spring is finally here! The days are longer, the weather warmer, the trees and flowers are budding and blooming. We can breathe a sigh of relief that summer is on its way. Or can we? Unfortunately, many of us suffer from some form of seasonal allergies and along with the nice weather comes sneezing, stuffy runny noses, red itchy watery eyes, post nasal drip, headaches and a whole host of other complaints that take all the fun out of being outside.

For many allergy sufferers this means taking medication that makes them drowsy, dried out and irritable. Sure the medication works for a few hours but then the symptoms are right back. Year after year, it is the same story - springtime allergies, allergy medication that has unpleasant side effects, temporary relief of symptoms, more medication and no lasting, long-term relief. Are you doomed to a lifetime of suffering and discomfort at one of the most beautiful times of the year?

Patients often ask me if there is anything that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can do to help their condition. I happily answer, “Yes, as a matter of fact there is.” It just so happens that seasonal allergies are quickly and effectively treated with acupuncture and by adding a simple Chinese herbal remedy into the mix, most allergy sufferers report long-term, sustained relief that carries forward season after season. With continued treatment, not only are they better during allergy season but the severity of their allergy symptoms continue to lessen over time. Many patients report no longer having to take prescription or over the counter allergy medications that give them side effects that are almost as bad as the allergy symptoms themselves. Some even report becoming allergy free!

According to Chinese medical theory, allergies are caused by an imbalance in the wei (defensive) qi and the qi (vital energy) of various organ systems of the body. These imbalances may be caused by or made worse from stress, a poor diet, constitutional weaknesses, pollutants and environmental toxins. Pathogenic factors, such as heat and dampness may also be involved.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work to clear the pathogens, rebalance the qi of the organs involved and strengthen the wei qi – treating not only the symptoms but also addressing the underlying cause. This two-pronged approach of treating the symptoms and the root cause helps to insure that results are long lasting and subsequent allergy attacks are less severe and resolve sooner.

During an acupuncture treatment for allergies very fine needles will be gently inserted between your eyebrows, next to your nose, in your hands between your thumb and forefinger and in your feet between your big and second toe. Depending upon your personal constitutional qi imbalances or the pathogens present, needles may also be placed on your arms below your elbow or your legs below your knee. Once the needles are in place your job is to relax comfortably on the treatment table for 30-40 minutes after which time the needles will be removed.

In most cases, patients notice marked improvement upon getting up from their first treatment. For lasting results a series of weekly treatments (4-6 depending upon the severity of the allergies) followed by 2-4 bi-weekly treatments is recommended. To lock in results, 2-4 additional monthly follow-up visits are suggested. A low cost, highly effective herbal remedy is recommended for the initial 30 days of treatment to help reinforce the results of the acupuncture treatment.