Acupuncture Treatment Options For Allergies and Asthma

AsthmaDo you suffer from allergies or asthma? It’s a little-known fact that these two conditions are directly linked to each other. Asthma, which affects roughly one in 12 people according to the CDC, is characterized by spasms of the small airways and inflammation. Furthermore, about 90% of children under the age of 16 with asthma have allergies, while 70% of people between the ages of 16 and 30 have allergies, and 50% of adults over the age of 40 have allergies.

Unfortunately, most people who suffer from allergies and asthma simply mask their symptoms with drugs rather than seeking a treatment for the root cause. Both of these conditions involve an overreaction by the body’s immune system to what it believes is a foreign invader. When you are exposed to an allergen (e.g. ragweed, pet dander, etc.), your immune system produces an abundance of inflammatory hormones, which subsequently cause the symptoms of allergies and asthma to manifest.

There are several alternative treatment options available for allergies and asthma, one  is making dietary and lifestyle changes. We live in age in which far too many people choose to pick up convenient fast food as opposed to preparing and cooking fresh meals. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional fast food burger, but basing the bulk of your diet around processed foods will take a toll on your body. The lack of nutrients and increased intake of preservatives can disturb the immune system, causing greater sensitivity to allergens. A better choice is to consume a diet rich in lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Of course, herbal medicine is a time-tested alternative treatment for allergies and asthma. Some of the most popular herbs used to treat these conditions include stinging nettle, ginkgo biloba, green tea, and reishi, all of which contain heavy concentrations of antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to fight harmful chemicals in the body known as free radicals, which if left unchecked, may irritate existing conditions like allergies and asthma.

Acupuncture is an effective tool for airborne (e.g. pollen) as well as inhaled chemical allergies.  Acupuncture can decrease the bodies histamine response, which produces the allergic symptoms. Over time the physical response to these allergens can be muted producing long lasting relief.

Asthma is a disorder of two components. One component is inflammation of the airways. This is accompanied by bronchial constriction due to a smooth muscle response that lines the walls of the airways. Acupuncture stimulus produces a natural anti-inflammatory agents that move to decrease the inflammation while at the same time affects the sympathetic nervous system to ease the smooth muscle constricted airway. Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of asthma, exercise induced and cold induced asthma. Long term progress can be made in conjunction with good safe management of medication.

Call today (253-252-7195) to schedule your appointment or send us email and start breathing easier.

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