You’ve likely heard about the benefits of acupuncture therapy for relieving muscular tension and accelerating recovery. But does acupuncture help seasonal allergies? This post will give you the information you need to help alleviate allergies in a drug-free way.

Does Acupuncture Help Seasonal Allergies?

Alternative Treatments For Seasonal Allergies

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) states that the body’s energy meridians correspond to different physiological systems. When used in treatments for seasonal allergies, the practitioner focuses on targeting the meridians affecting the stomach, lungs, colon, and spleen.

These meridians focus on manipulating defensive Qi energy linked to the immune system. Blockages in defensive Qi create symptoms relating to allergy responses. Some examples are watery eyes, sneezing, inflamed nasal passages, and itchy eyes.

Several science-backed studies show how this intervention works. Acupuncture stimulates the nerve fibers, and then sends messages to the autonomic nervous and immune systems. It influences cell activity by transporting, breaking down, and removing bioactive mediators.

This effect inhibits the immune system’s overaction to allergens. Therefore, decreasing inflammation that causes rhinitis (hay fever).

Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers

As the seasons change, high pollen counts can bring on seasonal misery. Common allergy triggers may include:

• Pet dander
• Grass pollen
• Tree pollen
• Dust mites

Acupuncture can bring some allergy relief without allergy medications, allergy shots, and unwanted side effects.

How Can Acupuncture Treat Seasonal Allergies?

Acupuncture focuses on correcting the energy blockage or imbalance affecting the immune response. Studies show acupuncture therapy stimulates the release of biochemicals such as cortisol and endorphins. These reduce pain and inflammation. When applied to patients with seasonal allergies, acupuncture has the following physiological effects.

• Alleviation of nasal congestion
• Reduction in sneezing
• Fewer headaches
• Reduced eye irritation and itching
• Improvement in the immune response

Acupuncture for Allergies – What the Science Says

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation issues guidelines for acupuncture in treating seasonal allergy responses. Acupuncture provides drug-free therapy for allergy sufferers.

Several meta-studies point to the efficacy of acupuncture treatments for conditions like allergic rhinitis. A study from 2015 looked at 13 studies with 2,000 patients getting acupuncture for hay fever. The results show the participants receiving acupuncture therapy for the condition experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms. The patients also required less medication to recover from the effects of rhinitis. They also experienced an improvement in serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies overproduced by the immune system in response to allergen exposure.

The results of another 2015 meta-study show randomized controlled trials demonstrating the efficacy of acupuncture therapy in treating perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Treating Seasonal Allergies with Acupuncture

Allergy sufferers using acupuncture treatments for seasonal allergies seek alternatives to medications, immunotherapy, and nasal sprays used to control symptoms of seasonal allergies. Some also look to reduce their use of drugs to manage their condition.

In these cases, the patients utilize twice-weekly or weekly acupuncture sessions. Patients did this over weeks or months, depending on the severity of symptoms.

After getting the situation under control, some had follow-up treatments. Patients receive follow-up treatments annually or as needed, depending on their situation.

Acupuncture and Safe Treatment

There is little safety concern with acupuncture therapy for seasonal allergies. Patients should always use a qualified and experienced practitioner. Most states require acupuncture therapists to have the certification, license, or registration to treat patients. The requirements vary by state.

Southlake Natural Family Wellness

Our mission is to support the health and well-being of our patients.

We offer individualized, comprehensive holistic care including acupuncture, herbal recommendations, customized nutritional counseling, allergy elimination (NAET), whole food supplements, lifestyle suggestions, moxibustion, and cupping. As well as helping couples get pregnant and STAY pregnant by supporting all the paths to conception.

About Farrah Hamraie

Farrah Hamraie, L.Ac, MOM, Dipl.OM (NCCAOM), is licensed and board-certified in Acupuncture and Herbal medicine in the State of Texas with a Masters of Oriental Medicine from the Dallas College of Oriental Medicine.

She is also a Diplomat of NCCAOM (the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), a Board Certified Acupuncturist, a Chinese Herbalist, and a member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine.