04/02/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/02/2021 06:14
Daniel D. Nemer, LAC, DIPLOM, is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine at Main Line Health. He says that, for some patients, acupuncture can be enough to relieve uncomfortable allergy symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion.
'For patients who have mild allergy symptoms or whose allergies are primarily seasonal, acupuncture has been shown to reduce their symptoms,' he says.
Acupuncture and allergies: How it works
During an acupuncture session, a licensed acupuncturist will apply several very thin needles into different areas of your skin-called acupuncture points. Your body contains thousands of these acupuncture points, which are all thought to be connected to pathways in the body called meridians. Each meridian is associated with an organ or system in the body, and an acupuncturist will target points and meridians based on the health issue you're seeking treatment for.
The acupuncture points targeted for allergies will be different than those targeted for say, back pain or headaches.
'If I am treating a patient for allergies, the acupuncture points that I focus on may be located on the front of the body, like the front of the hand, feet, around the nose and face, or on the ears,' explains Nemer.
If you're nervous about needles, acupuncture might not be right for you but Nemer says most patients say the placement of these needles is relatively painless. If traditional allergy relief methods haven't worked for you before, don't let a fear of needles keep you away from acupuncture.
For some people, a few acupuncture sessions may be enough to relieve allergy symptoms. For others whose symptoms are more severe, acupuncture may be used in conjunction with other conventional treatments like over-the-counter medications and nasal sprays.What else you can do to manage allergies
In addition to relying on conventional medication and trying acupuncture, if you choose, there are some other steps you can take to manage your allergy symptoms:
If you've taken the steps to prevent allergies but continue to notice severe symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care provider, who can recommend a corticosteroid, antihistamine, or decongestant to relieve your symptoms.
If you're interested in pursuing acupuncture for allergy treatment, discuss your interest with your primary care doctor, allergist, or an integrative medicine specialist to make sure it's safe for you. Your provider can also help you find a licensed acupuncturist to ensure you're getting safe, effective treatment.
Main Line Health serves patients at hospitals and health centers throughout the western suburbs of Philadelphia. To schedule an appointment with a specialist at Main Line Health, call 1.866.CALL.MLH (225.5654) or use our secure online appointment request form.