Allergies – Acupuncture Can Provide Relief

Allergies, seasonal or year round, are an ongoing problem for many individuals.
Seasonal allergies typically affect people during a particular season or time of year.
They are also referred to as outdoor allergies and are generally triggered by tree, grass
and weed pollens or outdoor mold spores. Year round allergies also known as indoor
allergies are typically brought on by animal dander, dust mites, mold spores or insect
allergens. There are also food allergies, which occur as a result of eating a culprit food,
and can also create physical and/or emotional symptoms such as body hives, swelling,
itching or redness of the skin, depression and/or moodiness.
No matter what kind of allergy you suffer from, environmental or food related,
acupuncture can provide needed relief. While medications (over-the-counter or
prescribed) often come with unwanted side-effects, acupuncture does not. This makes
acupuncture an appealing option for people looking for a new way to combat allergies.
According to Chinese medical theory, the symptoms and signs that indicate a Western
diagnosis of allergies relate to imbalances in the meridian and Organ Systems of the
body. These imbalances may stem from a variety of causes, including stress, poor
diet, foods that don’t agree with your body, constitutional weakness, pollutants and
environmental toxins.
Over time, if imbalances remain within the body, they will affec t the functions of the
Organ Systems. Some of these Organ Systems are involved in the production of Wei
Qi (pronounced “way chee”). According to the theories of acupuncture and Chinese
medicine, it is important to have the correct quality and quantity of Wei Qi circulating
around the body in order to stay healthy.
What is Wei Qi?
What is Wei Qi? The Chinese concept of Wei Qi is similar to the Western concept
of the immune system. Wei Qi functions to protect and defend the body against
foreign substances, that if not caught can lead to allergies. When Wei Qi is strong and
abundant, we remain healthy. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes deficient, health
is compromised and we become vulnerable to foreign invaders such as dust, mold,
animal dander, bacteria, viruses and pollen. People who have a Wei Qi deficiency are
prone to allergies and frequent colds.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine support and strengthen the systems of the body
that are involved in the production of Wei Qi. By building up the supply of Wei Qi,
and facilitating the smooth and free flow of it through the body , symptoms and signs
related to allergies could be greatly reduced or eliminated.
What will an Acupunturist do?
What will an acupuncturist do? An acupuncturist will conduct a thorough exam, taking
a complete health history. He/She will then develop a unique treatment plan that will
address your specific concerns. The goals of the treatment plan will be to eliminate
visible symptoms and signs, while addressing the root cause(s) and underlying
imbalances affecting the quality and quantity of Wei Qi.
Acupuncture treatments may be combined with herbs, dietary changes, massage
(tuina), or exercise. These therapies accelerate the healing process in order to balance,
build, and support the health and functioning of your body’s systems.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are a drug-free, safe, natural and effective way to
eliminate hay fever, allergies or the common cold.