Allergies & Allergy Treatment
Relief for Allergies in Santa Monica, CA:
Acupuncture can give rapid and lasting results for seasonal allergies. Allergy symptoms include: sneezing, nasal blockage, runny nose, and itchy eyes – these symptoms often recur during certain times of the year (especially Spring and Fall) and act as a source of significant disruption in the lives of many Americans.
In the Western medicine view, seasonal allergies are the result of a hypersensitivity reaction occurring when anti-bodies interact with airborne particles such as pollen (histamine response). Western medicine describes the locations of immune cells reacting in the blood stream but also in the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Interestingly, in the practice of acupuncture the related digestive acu-points are used a great deal to reverse the course of allergies. Here, there is a notable overlap of Western and Chinese medical thought in terms of how the immune system relates to digestion. Also, Chinese Medicine views a excess of the sweet taste as being harmful to the digestive function. In my practice, too many sugar yielding foods are often a contributing factor in the persistence of seasonal allergy symptoms.
There is often a quick response in allergy symptoms when using acupuncture. Generally, patients get some relief during the first visit while lying on the exam table with their acupuncture needles in place. 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.
In summary, acupuncture is very effective for the treatment of allergies and much safer than other methods of treatment.
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