Jeannie Ng | Acupuncture

 

Acupuncture and Seasonal Allergies

by Patrick J. LaRiccia, M.D.
MARF Board Member

getty_woman_sneezing_in_flowering_meadowSymptoms of running nose, sneezing, and watery itchy eyes that recur during specific parts of the year (especially Spring and Fall) are a cause of much suffering of a large segment of the U.S. population. Millions of dollars are spent on medications and the allergy shots for the treatment of seasonal allergies.

Western medicine views seasonal allergies as a form of immediate hypersensitivity reaction which occurs when anti-bodies produced by

phototake_SEM_pollen_on_sunflower_pistil

Pollen
Exposure to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds can trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes. Seen here is a magnified view of sunflower pollen.
~ WebMD

lymphocytes interact with airborne particles such as pollen. Western medicine describes the locations of lymphocytes in addition to being in the blood stream as also in Peyer’s patches in the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Interestingly in my practice of acupuncture the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians are utilized a great deal. One sees an interesting overlap of Western and Chinese medical thought. Also, Chinese medical thought sees sweets as being harmful to the Spleen (Chinese sense of the Spleen) function. In my practice sweets are often a major factor in the persistence and intensity of seasonal allergy symptoms.

I find it gratifying to treat seasonal allergies with acupuncture. There is often a quick response. Often patients get some relief during the first visit while lying on the exam table with their acupuncture needles in place. Patients are asked to score their nose stuffiness on a zero to ten scale. Zero meaning no stuffiness at all and 10 being the worst possible stuffiness for the patient. A score may be determined before and after the acupuncture treatment. Patients can also determine the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment by tracking the number of sneezes per day and the number of itching episodes around their eyes. After an initial series of treatments, patients come in for further treatments on an as needed basis. Some patients come back in once or twice a year for a booster while others may come more often. In general, patients do better if they avoid sugar and milk in their diets. They have better and longer lasting responses. I have seen many patients who failed medication and allergy shots respond to acupuncture. Patients continue with whatever standard treatments they are currently undergoing while getting acupuncture treatments. Most patients end up significantly reducing or eliminating their dependence on allergy medications.

Boy sneezing with allergiesThere are many different ways of performing acupuncture, for example TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Japanese, Korean, French Energetics, Worsley 5 Elements, ear, hand, etc. In choosing an acupuncturist the specific style a practitioner uses is not so important as the success rate a practitioner obtains with whatever style they use. Prospective patients should speak with the acupuncturist and inquire about past experience in treating seasonal allergies and their success rate.

 

In conclusion, it is my opinion that acupuncture is an excellent treatment option for seasonal allergies.

This article originally appeared on the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture website. Images added. 

aamalogobig

 

 

 

 
About Jeannie Ng, L.Ac., M.A.O.M

Jeannie Ng | Houston's Top AcupuncturistJeannie Ng, L.Ac., M.A.O.M is a top Acupuncturist in Houston, Texas.  Jeannie Ng is a graduate of American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, Texas where she received her Masters degree in Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine. She is licensed to practice Oriental Medicine by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. She broadened her knowledge studying TCM at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with clinical studies at Yue Yang Hospital in Shanghai, China. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from University of Texas at Austin. She also holds Certification as a Diplomate from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She holds Certification from Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center to manage the side effects associated with cancer support care.

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