Spring is such a beautiful part of the year after enduring a gloomy, cold and long winter. However, for many people, this season may not be all rosy and sunny since a third of the US population suffers from allergies during this time.
The release of pollens and spores some of which are allergens for a lot of people from the early part of spring up to the onset of summer have made spring a preparatory phase for the neutralization of factors that contribute to their allergies. Pollens and spores are not the only triggers for allergy; animal dander, dust mites, foods and dust, which is sometimes the result of spring-cleaning, can likewise cause severe allergic reactions for some people.
Allergies are reactions that the body produce to neutralize factors the body sees as foreign and harmful. Usually, severe allergies are signs of a weak immune system and an imbalance in the body’s health. The allergies can manifest in reactions such as inflammation of certain body parts, skin problems like hives or eczema, runny nose and sneezing and itchy eyes to mention a few of the common symptoms. There are extreme cases of allergies like constriction of the air passageway or too much mucosal secretion in the lungs and air passageway that can literally smother a person to death. Sad to say, these cases are not uncommon.
The reflexive instinct of most people for their allergies is to purchase over-the-counter drugs such as decongestants or antihistamines to mitigate the symptoms. Those medications may effectively reduce the symptoms of the allergy; however, they may also result in over dependence to the drugs, a further weakening of the immune system and drowsiness.
Acquiring new set of problems while trying to relieve an old one is not really appealing to most people and that is why many allergic sufferers nowadays opt for effective natural modalities for their problem. Acupuncture is a natural and very safe way not only to neutralize allergic symptoms but also to bolster the immune system’s strength and function. This is why acupuncture is superior to Western conventional modalities such as pharmaceutical medications; it ably treats the symptoms whilst rectifying the imbalance, which is the origin of the allergies. Addressing the root problem is the trademark of acupuncture therapy.
To better prepare for the allergy season, it is recommended that the patient undergo regular acupuncture care before the onset of spring. This would strengthen the immune system and neutralize the factors (stress, poor nutrition, etc.) that weaken it.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which acupuncture is an integral part of provides other supplements like herbal medicine that can be used in conjunction with acupuncture to facilitate the treatment of symptoms and optimize the care and treatment process. Most of the time acupuncture and herbal medicine are combined for better and prompt resolution of the allergies.