Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Allergies is about the natural treatments for allergies and allergy related problems through acupuncture. Acupuncture has been traditionally used to treat respiratory conditions in China for more than a thousand years. These include allergies, puritis/rashes, sinusitis/sinus problems, allergic asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
Allergies affect one’s quality of life and can reduce productivity at work, school and home. Allergic rhinitis, inflammation of the lining of the nasal passages, causing symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itching affects approximately 1.4 billion people with increasing numbers.
Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when treating many diseases and painful conditions. Therefore, acupuncture is thought to be useful as a complementary, alternative and integrative therapy for allergies.
Allergies and the Immune System
Firstly, an allergy occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to most people. Secondly, the immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the body fight infections and other diseases. Thirdly, this includes white blood cells and organs and tissues of the lymph system. Fourthly, the immune system identifies foreign substances/invaders and mobilizes the body’s natural defense system to fight them. However, sometimes the immune system incorrectly identifies a nontoxic substance as toxic. Fifthly, substances that provoke an allergic response are called allergens. Sixthly, so in response to the allergens, the white blood cells overreact. And this causes damage to the body. In conclusion, the allergic reaction becomes a disease in itself.
What Causes Allergies?
The reason why some people have allergies and others don’t is unknown. Scientist say there may be a genetic component. Interestingly, allergies can start at any age. However, the most prevalent age of onset is between 15 and 20 years of age. It appears stress may aggravate allergies.
Symptoms of Allergies and Examples of Allergens
Symptoms of allergies include: nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, itching, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, hives and skin rashes. Just about any substance can cause an allergic response. The most common ones are: pollen (hayfever), dust, certain metals (e.g. nickel), certain cosmetics (e.g. lanolin) dust mites, animal hair, insect secretions, drugs (e.g. penicillin, aspirin), some food additives (e.g. benzoic acid and sulfur dioxide, MSG), animal dander, chemicals (e.g. some found in soap, cleaning supplies, cigarette smoke).
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Allergies/ TCM Theory on Alleriges
Firstly, Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. The acupuncture treatment stimulates the imbalanced pathways along the meridians to bring balance back. Mainly, the goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities.
Secondy, Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”(Qi, pronounced “chee”), flows through the body in these channels called meridians. The goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities. And the stimulation of acupuncture points is most effective through needle insertion.
Thirdly, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the body’s immunity is the function of the “defensive Qi”.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Allergies
Conventional treatment of allergies includes medications which have side effects. These include antihistamines, corticosteroids, mast cell stabilizers, anticholinergics and antileukotrienes. Common side effects include: drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. Other side effects can include sore throat, headaches, nosebleed, fever, itchy skin, blurred vision, constipation, and nausea.
The effects of acupuncture with treatment of allergic symptoms have been examined in several studies. And acupuncture was reported to be effective particularly in the reduction of nasal and conjunctival (eye tissue) signs. Finally, relief of symptoms leads to the improvement in the quality of life. Acupuncture relieves also the cutaneous (skin) symptoms. For example, pruritus/itchy skin or atopic dermatitis are relieved by acupuncture. Indeed, acupuncture influences your immune system. And because acupuncture helps the immune system, it is a useful treatment for patients with allergies.
Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for allergy problems and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience. Call today for your acupuncture treatment for allergies at 561-253-8984.