Acupuncture and Allergies
Spring has arrived, and while this is a pleasant time of renewal and growth in many a sense, it can also bring about a number of allergens that cause unpleasant symptoms and an all-around sense of illness and fatigue. Allergies can be especially prominent in the spring and fall, but they can affect people year around. Whether you’re sensitive to pollen, dust, mold, dander or other allergens, your symptoms could all point to one culprit.
For many of people who suffer from allergies, symptom relief may have been sought in drugs that ease coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and congestion. The problem with this approach is that all of these and other symptoms are the result of an improper immune system response. Although a decongestant or antihistamine can minimize symptoms for a time, eventually they’ll return. And until the underlying cause is addressed, what else could you expect?
If you’re seeking effective and natural relief from allergies, turn to the state of your immune system. In a recent study from the Annals of Internal Medicine (1) , it was shown that acupuncture was effective in helping reduce symptoms when compared with other trial groups. It also showed the group with the sham acupuncture treatment reported some relief, leading the authors to conclude that more scientific studies are need.
The the study author Dr. Benno Brinkhaus noted the following "From my experience as a physician and acupuncturist, and as a researcher, I would recommend trying acupuncture if patients are not satisfied with the conventional anti-allergic medication or treatment or they suffer from more or less serious sides effects of the conventional medication. Also because acupuncture is a relative safe treatment."
1. Acupuncture in Patients With Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Trial Ann Intern Med. 19 February 2013;158(4):225-234