Homeopathy and Acupuncture = Allergy Relief
Natural Treatment
Options for Spring Allergies
As spring approaches New England, we
soon will be able to get outside and enjoy the
sunshine and fresh air…or maybe not. For some,
spring means the beginning of a long, miserable
period of sneezing, nose-blowing, and
eye-watering—all symptoms caused by allergens found
in those beautiful flowers and lush green grasses in
the yard. But no need to take stock in Kleenex just
yet this year. FirstHealth of Andover has some
natural solutions to help prevent and treat your
allergies, making for a much more comfortable and
enjoyable spring.
Bring on the
Benefits of Spring!
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, affecting 35.9
million people every year. Spring allergies are
typically caused by tree and grass pollens, which
are most prevalent in the Northeast from March
through May. Some common symptoms are:
-
Sneezing
-
Congestion
-
Runny nose
-
Itchiness in the nose
-
Scratchy throat
-
Watery/itchy eyes
-
Itchiness in 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.
While some people find these treatments to be
perfectly adequate and effective, many others do
not. Problems may include medication intolerance,
ineffectiveness, and concerns about side effects.
Some people may find medication to be successful in
treating specific symptoms, while other symptoms
may linger, leaving you wishing spring had never
arrived.
At
FirstHealth of Andover, we have some useful
time-tested solutions for you. Therapies used
frequently this time of year, acupuncture, herbs and
homeopathy, have been extremely successful in
treating allergy sufferers.
Free of side
effects, acupuncture has been a 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 in 26
allergy sufferers (http://www.worldscinet.com/174/30/3001/S0192415X0200020X.html).
There was a significant improvement in FPS (nasal
and non-nasal symptoms) between the two types of
acupuncture treatments (real acupuncture versus
“sham” acupuncture). Similarly, in 2004, a German
study found that Traditional
Chinese therapy was an efficacious and safe
treatment option for 52 allergy sufferers (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2004.00540.x/abs/).
Compared with patients in the control group,
patients in the active treatment group showed a
significant after-treatment improvement in quality
of life.
Another natural approach that
FirstHealth offers is homeopathy. For many people,
homeopathy can be the best hope for ridding allergy
symptoms, also without side effects. Unlike
conventional pharmaceutical medications, homeopathy
can stimulate your own body’s immune system in order
to change the way your body responds to allergens,
instead of merely suppressing the symptoms they
cause. Homeopathic remedies are safe, gentle, and do
not interact with other medications you may be
using. Remedies are prescribed on the basis of
physical and emotional make up of the person.
Homeopaths prescribe a "constitutional medicine," a
remedy that is individually chosen to fit the
totality of symptoms that the person is
experiencing. This gives the best chance for the
remedy to stimulate a person’s immune system.
Finding a person's constitutional medicine requires
the care of professional homeopath, and treatment
can lead to a permanent long-lasting relief.
To discover if acupuncture or
homeopathy is right for you, please call FirstHealth
of Andover to set-up an initial appointment. Let us
help you make this your best spring season yet!
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