Seeking Relief From Hay Fever?
Springtime means brighter, warmer days are ahead. For millions of allergy sufferers it also means a heightened oversensitivity to common allergens as the grass greens, flowers bloom, and trees awaken from their winter slumber.
While most allergy symptoms tend to be a mild nuisance consisting of morning congestion, a runny rose, and itchy eyes, discomfort can quickly become distressing if allergies are left to run out of control. Inflammation soon begins to compound and symptoms grow in their scope and magnitude.
Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, occurs when the nasal membranes become enlarged resulting in an increased difficulty with nasal breathing. While the nose may feel congested, and may be to some degree, the pressure is caused by the inflammation. Blowing the nose produces little relief, and doing so aggressively only serves to worsen the condition.
While antihistamines and corticosteroids are a common “go to” for relief of the condition, research has shown that acupuncture might be a more effective form of treatment for alleviating its symptoms. In one study described by HealthCMI, German researchers demonstrated that patients who received acupuncture treatments found greater relief of their troublesome symptoms during peak allergy season than did patients who relied solely on oral and/or intranasal medications.
Researchers from various universities, including Stanford, also recently investigated the potential benefits of acupuncture in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis. They observed an immunomodulatory effect – meaning the acupuncture treatments that were applied tended to make an adjustment to the patient’s immune system which, in turn, lessened the degree to which the condition impacted their day to day life. Not only was this true for upper respiratory symptoms, but for other symptoms associated with allergies as well, including itchy, watery eyes.
First and foremost, it is important to determine the root cause of any respiratory condition is, indeed, allergic and not bacterial. If an infection is present, it must be promptly addressed utilizing the appropriate medical protocols as prescribed by your primary care physician.
If an infection is ruled out and allergic rhinitis is identified as the sole cause of the symptoms you are experiencing, feel free to reach out to us and we will likely be able to help.