Millions of Americans suffer from uncomfortable allergy symptoms during spring and early summer when pollen counts are at their highest. When allergies become severe, they can become a major obstacle to the quality of life of people and can disrupt their normal daily life.

When an allergic reaction is provoked due to a person’s contact with an allergen, the immune system releases an antibody called IGE which attaches to basophils, mast cells and immune cells. Upon encountering the allergen, these cells stimulate the immune system causing the latter to release certain chemicals such as interleukins, leukotrienes, cytokines, prostaglandins and histamines that govern inflammatory reaction. When these chemicals are released into the bloodstream, a number of effects such as breathing difficulty, sneezing and itchy read eyes and skin are manifested. Addressing allergies using Western medicine procedures usually entails the inhibiting of the immune response through the blockage of the action of the immune cells and the consequential allergic reaction utilizing anti-leukotrienes, glucocorticoids and antihistamines. These allergy medicines give out substantial temporal relief. Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, on the other hand, offer an alternative treatment approach that focus on the treatment of the root cause as well as the symptoms of the person’s allergy by strengthening and balancing his immune system.

According to Chinese Medicine, allergies are the result of deficiency in the protective energy (wei qi) and righteous energy (zhen qi) of the body.  These weaknesses are usually aggravated by digestive weakness and/or collection of damp inside the body. These weaknesses are acquired or genetic in origin although lifestyle and genetic factors are also contributors to the weaknesses. Righteous and protective energy weakness can be signs of energy deficiency in the organ systems such as the kidneys, spleen, liver, and lung organ systems.  Due to the fact that the patterns of disharmony that are at the root of a person’s allergy are unique per person, TCM diagnosis and treatment of allergies are different for each individual. A correct and precise diagnosis will always determine the type of TCM and acupuncture procedure to be used for a patient’s allergies. Best outcomes are only achieved when correctly individualized therapies are implemented based on the patient’s unique constitution. Acupuncture therapy often is combined with Chinese herb formula to fortify weaknesses in the organ systems thereby strengthening the patient’s energetic system and overall immune function.

A lot of acupuncturists recommend acupuncture therapy along with diet changes, herbs and a method known as the Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique or NAET for short.  NAET entails the use of muscle testing procedures to identify allergens and to boost the immune system of the patient. When the immune system is optimally performing, the underlying deficiencies of energy in the organ systems are likewise strengthened thus causing the elimination of the allergic reaction.

DeJongh Acupuncture Clinic
2929 SW 3rd Ave #610
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 677-3214