Integrative Acupuncture Center

Integrative Acupuncture Allergy Program

Are you sick and tired of your allergies? Why should you suffer any more?

Did you know that people with allergies are dealing with a depressed immune system? This immune system is over taxed when in seasonal allergies, the body is unable to with stand  the onslaught of so many allergen such as pollens and other airborn allergens.

In Chinese medicine there is a triad of three organs that are responsible for regulating the immune system. This reflects Chinese medicine’s approach to treating conditions based on organ system weakness. This theory states that all symptoms can be traced back to an organ system that is not working correctly either because the organ system is too hyperactive or too underfunctioning to keep the body working healthily.

With regards to allergies there are three organs that need to be addressed. Issues related to the Lung organ, which represents the sinuses, the nose and the actual lungs themselves will show up as excess mucus production. The Lung organ in Chinese medicine helps to “digest mucus”, (there is no counter  idea of this in western medicine. So if the Lung function is too weak or the mucus is too great the lung organ will suffer creating phlegmy and hyperactive response to allergens. 

 The Spleen-pancreas organ represents the pancreas and its ability to regulate sugar levels in the body. It also represents the Small intestine which is responsible for absorbing and assimilating foods. 50% of all sinus infections can come from poor and sluggish digestive system including the inability of the small intestine to absorb foods efficiently. This will increase phelgm production and prevent the nose from clearing the phlegm from the sinuses. For many, there are no symptoms of this so the goal is to optimize and enhance digestive function to acheive this goal.

25% of people, experience an upper respiratory infection or a sinusitis infection and they never really get over it completely. Left with the sniffles, postnasal drip, and prone to sinus pressure and re-infection of the sinuses, these problems will continue to plague the sufferer. To remedy this herbs and dietary responses will yield the best results. Improving eand enhancing digestion, blood sugar, reducing fatty greasy, sugary, and wheat products while taking herbs that can help the body digest better, regulate blood sugar better, will have a better chance of yielding results.

 Finally there is the Liver organ which is respsonsible for not only detoxifying what the body inhales and digests but in Chinese medicine it is also responsible for keeping all processes running smoothly. This includes keeping the food digesting well and quickly in the stomach, helping the large intestines move out the wastes from the large intestine, and helping the lungs to “digest the phlegm”. Poor digestion including, acid reflux, bloating, gas, irregularity of the bowel movements (too slow, too fast, or irregular), fatigue after eating, all can be traced back to the Liver organ not working well.

This can also include desensitizing an over reactive and hyper-senstive immune system.  Congested sinuses, and sinus pressure and a hyper-responsive to allergens also can be traced back to impaired Liver function from the Chinese medical persepective. Red eyes, itchy throat or nose, tearing,  and post-nasal drip all indicate a hyper active response by the Liver organ.

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps by clearing phelgm, quieting down acute symptoms of allergies such as redness of the eyes, irritation, itchiness, postnasal drip, coughing, and sinus pressure and pain.

After the acute symptoms of the allergy is under control the focus changes to strenghtening the immune system so that subsequent allergy seasons will not create sensitive of the body to the environment. For example, issues with digesting, assimilating or eliminating food must be addressed and treated. This is apprached with acupuncture, dietary changes and supplements to restore the gut of healthy bacteria, help to regulate bowel movements, help to cool down any potentially or outright acidic stomach condition, as well as strengthening the immune system directly. Other areas of extrmee fatigue and a weak immune system need to be strenghtened, as well as reducing hyper sensitivity of the Liver organ to the environment. Acupuncture points and supplements are then chosen depending on which organ systems need help. Acupuncture points can be chosen based upon treating the Lung organ, the Spleen-Pancreas organ system, or the Liver system as was mentioned above.

Effectiveness:

• In a study published in “Allergy” magazine, people who received acupuncture for their allergy symptoms benefited from the practice. When compared to the control group, their physical activity increased, psychological wellness improved and allergy symptoms related to the eyes and nose were less severe. Individuals involved in the study received 20-minute acupuncture treatments for six weeks. Pressure points stimulating the gallbladder, liver, large intestine and lung meridians were stimulated as well as meridians determined by personal needs, and they were given herbal supplements.