Itchy watery eyes, painful headaches, runny nose and sneezing. For the more than one in six Canadians who suffer from seasonal allergies, this time of year is chock-full of unpleasant symptoms that interfere with daily life and overall comfort.

For many, the symptoms of conventional allergy treatments are just as unpleasant. Dry mouth, drowsiness and cloudy thinking are just some of the reported complaints patients have when taking allergy medication. What’s worse, when the allergy medication wears off, the allergy symptoms return.

 

But what if you could significantly lessen or eliminate your allergies altogether?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating allergies successfully for decades, not by treating the symptoms, but by targeting the cause of the allergy itself.

“Allergies are overreactions of the immune system to things in the environment, such as dust, pollen, animal dander and foods. When an allergic person’s immune system is triggered by an allergen, it causes some degree of inflammation”, says Angela Fu, Clinic Director at the Total Wellness Centre, one of Toronto’s top traditional Chinese medicine clinics.

“A stronger immune system will be much less stressed by allergens and less likely to overreact to triggers.”

In Chinese medicine, acupuncture is often used to treat allergies. The way acupuncture works to control allergies isn't exactly known. However, instead of introducing chemicals such as an antihistamine to control an allergic reaction, acupuncture works with the person's internal pharmacy.

Experts have data that suggests acupuncture alters the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, and the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally.

There is also evidence that acupuncture can stimulate immune function changes. A National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference reported in 1997 that an allergy attack is an immune response. The body's immune system becomes sensitive and reacts to substances called allergens such as pollen, dust, animal dander, molds, food and medications.

The needles used in acupuncture for allergies are almost like switches in the energy circuits of the body. Imagine the body as the computer and the energy system as the software program. In other words, the body can be "re-programmed" so it does not react to pollen or dog dander or peanuts as if they were harmful substances.

In the case of allergies, this benefit is that patients begin to see results from acupuncture and herb treatments almost immediately. Preventative treatments can last up to several months, depending how weak a person’s immune system is.

Eventually, the patient will notice improvements not only in the allergies being treated, but most often an overall improvement in their general well being.

If you are considering acupuncture for your allergies, be sure to check first with your insurance company to see if it is covered. 

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