Beat Spring Allergies This Season

Spring is when allergies really kick in because trees, grass, and flowers start throwing tons of pollen into the air, making allergy sufferers sneeze, get itchy eyes, and feel congested. As it gets warmer, plants are in full bloom, and all that pollen gets blown around by the wind—straight into your nose and lungs. Plus, with more time spent outside in spring, you're more exposed to allergens. Rain can make it worse by causing mold to grow, and when it dries up, pollen levels shoot up again. Basically, spring is beautiful, but for people with allergies, it’s also a total sneeze-fest!

Why Do We Get Allergies?

Allergies pop up when our immune system gets a bit overprotective and confuses harmless stuff—like pollen, pet dander, or certain foods—for dangerous threats. It goes overboard by releasing chemicals like histamine, leading to annoying symptoms like sneezing, itching, and swelling.

Some scientists think allergies are leftovers from when we needed to fight off parasites and toxins, while others point to modern life—being too clean, eating processed foods, and not getting enough germs early on. Genetics also play a big part, so if your parents have allergies, you might, too. Basically, our immune system means well, but sometimes it just overreacts!

Symptom Alleviation with Medications

Western medicine treats allergies by focusing on controlling symptoms and calming down the immune system’s overreaction. Antihistamines (like Zyrtec or Claritin) block the chemical that causes sneezing and itching, while decongestants help clear up stuffy noses. For more severe cases, doctors might prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation or allergy shots (immunotherapy) to slowly train your body to stop freaking out over allergens.

In emergencies, like a serious food allergy reaction, an EpiPen can stop life-threatening symptoms. Basically, Western medicine gives you quick relief, but it doesn’t exactly "cure" allergies—it just helps you deal with them.

Acupuncture Can Tackle Your Allergies at the Source

Acupuncture can help treat allergies by addressing the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), allergies are often linked to imbalances in the immune system and weaknesses in organs like the lungs, spleen, and kidneys.

Acupuncture treatment can help regulate the immune response, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. It also stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms, helping to strengthen the immune system over time.

Regular acupuncture sessions can lessen the severity of allergy symptoms, decrease sensitivity to allergens, and even prevent future reactions. Unlike medications that only provide temporary relief, acupuncture works to restore balance, making it a long-term, holistic solution for allergy sufferers.

Here are some commonly used acupuncture points for allergies and what they can do:

1. LI-20 (Yingxiang – “Welcome Fragrance”)

Location: On either side of the nostrils.

Opens up nasal passages, reduces congestion, and relieves sinus pressure.

2. LI-4 (Hegu – “Joining Valley”)

Location: Between the thumb and index finger.

Boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, and helps with headaches and sinus pain.

3. ST-36 (Zusanli – “Leg Three Miles”)

Location: Below the knee, on the front of the leg.

Strengthens the immune system, improves digestion (which affects allergies), and boosts overall energy.

4. DU-23 (Shangxing – “Upper Star”)

Location: Near the forehead, between the eyebrows.

Clears nasal congestion, relieves sinus pressure, and reduces headaches.

5. Yin Tang (Third Eye Point)

Location: Between the eyebrows, in the center of the forehead.

Helps with sinus congestion, reduces stress (which can worsen allergies), and calms the mind.

By combining these acupoints, acupuncture helps regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, open up airways, and prevent allergic reactions. Treatments are typically customized based on the type and severity of allergies.

Book an acupuncture treatment with us today and alleviate your allergy symptoms.

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