TREATABLE CONDITIONS

Seasonal Allergies and Respiratory Disorders:

Spring means blooming flower and budding trees — and if you’re one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, it also means sinus congestion and pressure, runny nose, sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, headaches and other bothersome symptoms. Seasonal allergies — also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis — can make you miserable. But before you lock yourself indoors and settle for plastic flowers, consider using acupuncture both to alleviate seasonal and environmental allergy symptoms as well as for the prevention of symptoms. In fact, acupuncture is often used in treating respiratory disorders including asthma – the condition in which the airways swell and narrow and produce extra mucus. Asthma makes breathing difficult and triggers coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities. Asthma can even be life-threatening. Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective therapy to manage the symptoms of asthma.

TheLung

In the World Health Organization’s (WHO) landmark study “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials” made the following statement with regards to acupuncture and the treatment of respiratory disorders: 

“Acupuncture is often used in treating respiratory disorders. Allergic rhinitis is one of the major indications. In control studies, it has been shown that acupuncture is more effective than antihistamine drugs in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Acupuncture’s lack of side-effects is a distinct advantage in treating this condition; 

While bronchial asthma is not cured by acupuncture, it may be substantially relieved, at least for short periods of time. The success rates quoted in the literature are 60-70%. Acupuncture has a limited role in treating acute asthmatic attacks since it is a weak bronchodilator, but it may serve as a prophylactic measure over the long term. Controlled trials have shown that acupuncture brings about modest improvement in objective parameters, with significant subjective improvement. Prospective randomized single-blind studies of the effects of real and sham acupuncture on exercise-induced and methacholine-induced asthma revealed that real acupuncture provided better protection than did sham acupuncture, but it failed to modulate the bronchial hyperactivity to histamine. Corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma may respond better to acupuncture treatment than other types; the required dosage of corticosteroids gradually decreases during the first weeks of acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture many also provide symptomatic improvement in the late stages of bronchial asthma, where there are complications of disabling breathlessness due to impaired lung function.”

At Eastern Shore Acupuncture we help many individuals suffering with respiratory issues. We work to support and strengthen the immunes system as wells the body’s self-regulating, self- balancing and healing systems giving the body greater wellness. If you’ve been having been suffering with seasonal or environmental allergies, asthma or some other respiratory disease and have further questions or would like to discuss your health concerns with our acupuncturist, please feel free to call or email for an initial consultation.