How Can Acupuncture Help With Allergies?

An allergy is a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance (called an allergen) that causes the body’s defense system (the immune system) to overreact when defending itself. Normally, the immune system would only react if a harmful substance, such as bacteria, attacks the body. For people with allergies, their immune systems are working too hard and react even when relatively harmless substances, such as pollen, are present.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes allergies as a disruption in the smooth flow of Qi (body energy) throughout the meridians (energetic pathways) preventing the energy from reaching the surface of the body to resist allergies. This results in nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, throat clearing, cough from postnasal drip. By inserting needles superficially, the bodies immune system is regulated causing the symptoms to dissipate, restoring its natural balance of mind, body and spirit causing a feeling of well being.