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Hay Fever? Try Acupuncture.
Hay fever season is in full swing and many of my patients coming to see me for acupuncture are suffering from really bad hay fever. Most don’t realize that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can treat the symptoms of hay fever and are pleasantly surprised when their symptoms improve.
In the Chinese way of thinking, which is rooted in the ancient philosophy of yin yang theory, spring is the time of great transition and the decline of cooling nourishing yin and the flourishing of warming, protecting yang.
Yin yang theory is also rooted in the traditional Chinese way of understanding how the body works. The yang qi (or energy) in the body is the body’s ability to protect itself and it is during this flourishing of the yang energy in the spring when symptoms of hay fever manifest.
If the body’s defence is poorly regulated the immune response, trigged by pollen, overreacts and causes the symptoms of blocked and runny nose and sore itchy red eyes. In terms of the Chinese way of thinking the body’s yang qi is too strong and not controlled.
Over 2000 years of history and tradition is now supported by evidence and acupuncture has been proven in clinical trials to relieve the symptoms of hay fever1 while acupuncture combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine is a safe and effective way of treating hay fever2.
Visit www.breathe-london.com/waterloo-acupuncture to learn more.
Simon Plant February 2011
Simon Plant BSc (Hons) MSc MBAcC
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Breathe London Well Being Centre
1 Xue, C., English, R. et al. (2002) Effect of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 30 (1)1–11.
2 Brinkhaus, B., Hummelsberger, J. et al. (2004) Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial. 59 (9) 953-960.
Photograph by Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Suffering From Hay Fever?
Probably not considering we are still in the last throes of what has been a long and cold winter and your probably thinking what a bizarre blog entry to make!
However if you do suffer from hay fever in the spring months read on and discover how having acupuncture treatment now before the spring fully starts can reduce the severity and symptoms of hay fever.
It may be the end of winter but the first signs of spring are just starting to struggle through, early shoots appearing and days slowly and surely getting longer and just of hint of warmth in the midday sun.
In the Chinese way of thinking, which is rooted in the ancient philosophy of yin yang theory, spring is the time of great transition and the decline of cooling nourishing yin and the flourishing of warming, protecting yang.
Yin yang theory is also rooted in the traditional Chinese way of understanding how the body works. The yang qi (or energy) in the body is the body’s ability to protect itself and it is during this flourishing of the yang energy in the spring when symptoms of hay fever manifest.
If the body’s defence is poorly regulated the immune response, trigged by pollen, overreacts and causes the symptoms of blocked and runny nose and sore itchy red eyes. In terms of the Chinese way of thinking the body’s yang qi is too strong and not controlled.
Alternatively the bodies defence can be compromised, which can often happen after a long winter and the stresses and strains of modern living, the bodies yang qi is weak and people are much more susceptible to hay fever in the spring.
Acupuncture works by regulating the qi in the body and in turn regulates the immune system to calm this overreaction. Acupuncture can also strengthen the bodies immune system.
Over 2000 years of history and tradition is now supported by evidence and acupuncture has been proven in clinical trials to relieve the symptoms of hay fever1 while acupuncture combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine is a safe and effective way of treating hay fever2.
Book a short course of acupuncture treatment at Breathe London and enjoy the coming spring.
Visit www.breathe-london.com/waterloo-acupuncture to learn more.
Simon Plant February 2011
Simon Plant BSc (Hons) MSc MBAcC
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Breathe London Well Being Centre
1 Xue, C., English, R. et al. (2002) Effect of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 30 (1)1–11.
2 Brinkhaus, B., Hummelsberger, J. et al. (2004) Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial. 59 (9) 953-960.
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