Seasonal Allergy/Chronic Sinus Relief
Safe and Natural Solutions for Allergy Relief

Do you suffer from watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose during this time of year?  You're not alone.  It is estimated that over 40 million Americans will be affected with seasonal allergy/sinus symptoms this year.

While conventional treatments help some allergy sufferers, other alternative options  and treatments are available that can be far more pleasant and effective.

At FirstHealth of Andover, our safe and natural solutions for allergy relief include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, homeopathy, essential oil therapy, and at-home care instruction. Each treatment is individualized to your needs, so specific symptoms can be targeted and addressed to help you achieve and maintain lasting relief this allergy season.

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAI), seasonal allergies, often referred to as seasonal allergic rhinitis, are one of the most common allergic conditions in the United States. Spring allergies are typically caused by tree and grass pollens, and include symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchiness in the nose, scratchy throat, watery/itchy eyes, and itchiness in the ears.

Typical conventional treatment includes the use of over-the-counter or prescription anti-histamines and corticosteroid nasal spray. In more severe cases, desensitization injections may be necessary. And while some people find these treatments to be perfectly adequate and effective, many others do not. Side effects may include drowsiness, nervousness, nasal irritation and dryness, and dizziness, to name a few. In addition, some people may find conventional treatment to be successful for specific symptom relief, but still may have other symptoms that linger.

At FirstHealth of Andover, our alternative solutions have been successful in helping rid allergy sufferers of all of their symptoms. Free from side effects, acupuncture has long been one treatment of choice for many of our patients—and for good reason. In 2002, a research study from the American Journal of Chinese Medicine demonstrated that acupuncture is an effective and safe alternative treatment for the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Similarly, in 2004, a German study found that Traditional Chinese therapy was an efficacious and safe treatment option allergy sufferers. Compared with patients in the control group, patients in the active treatment group showed a significant after-treatment improvement in quality of life.  

For more severe allergy sufferers, acupuncture is often combined with Chinese herbal medicine to optimize treatment results. Chinese herbal formulas offer a unique blend of 8-15 single herbs, and can be combined in order to best address your individual allergic presentation. And since herbal formulas can be taken daily at home and follow the same treatment approach as acupuncture sessions, they are ideal to maintain consistency and to build up a strong cumulative total effect.  Altogether, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are beneficial for reducing inflammation and swelling, as well as boosting the body’s own natural defense system.

Another natural approach that FirstHealth of Andover offers is homeopathy. For many people, homeopathy can be the best hope for ridding allergy symptoms, also without side effects. Unlike medications, homeopathy can actually change the way your body responds to allergens, instead of merely suppressing the symptoms they cause. Homeopathic remedies can remove the underlying cause for the allergic tendency and eliminate it completely. Homeopathic treatment is safe and gentle, and remedies are prescribed on the basis of physical, emotional and genetic make up of the person. Homeopaths prescribe a "constitutional medicine," a remedy that is individually chosen to the totality of symptoms that the person is experiencing. Finding a person's constitutional medicine requires the care of professional homeopath, and treatment can lead to a permanent long-lasting cure. 

Essential oil therapy is one more treatment option for you, and can be used alone or in-combination with our other treatment solutions. Across the globe, essential oils have long been used to boost the immune system and fight infection. Oils such as rosemary and eucalyptus stimulate blood circulation and have a clearing and energizing effect when inhaled, to help clear blocked sinuses and relieve nasal congestion. Essential oils can either be used topically during one of your treatment sessions or combined into a specific blend for you to use at home. Along with essential oils, we also have the neti pot available for purchase. The neti pot is a nasal irrigation system that can be used daily at home to help soothe and calm inflamed nasal passages.

With all of these options available to you at one place, we are sure that we can find the right therapy to give you fast and lasting relief this season. To find out which treatment option is best for you, give us a call, or better yet free to join us for our free lecture on allergy relief on Wednesday May 7 from 7-8pm. Call now to register, as space is limited. This may just be your best spring yet!

-- Lisa Farwell, Lic.Ac., MAOM, is a NCCAOM board certified and state licensed practitioner of acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine in Massachusetts.