Chiropractic and Acupuncture Care for Allergies

Allergies are an inflamed reaction of the immune system caused by allergens - materials that the body recognizes as foreign but are generally not harmful. A person with allergies (which often times are contracted genetically) has a hyper-sensitive immune system. The immune system, which is meant to defend against threatening bacteria and viruses, will recognize the seemingly harmless allergen as something dangerous and release a chemical called histamine to fight it off. Histamine is responsible for most allergy symptoms including (but not limited to):

• Rashes
• Breathing problems
• Runny nose
• Itching
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Burning eyes
• Hives

It is commonly held that allergic reactions should be treated with medications, specifically antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medicines. While this may reduce symptoms chiropractic treatment is also a widely used and widely successful practice. Chiropractic work releases stress on the nervous system which, in turn, reduces stress on the immune system. This is beneficial to an individual who is allergy-prone. An un-compromised immune system will function at its highest.

Another therapy, sometimes associated with chiropractic practice, which can aid in allergy relief, is acupuncture. Acupuncture is a popular form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that aims to realign the body's natural, flowing Qi. Qi, which is said to translate to "life force" or "life energy" but literally translates to mean "breath", is the pillar principle in Eastern medicine. It is said that Qi is an energy which flows through the body in channels that can be associated with pressure points on the body. The practice of acupuncture stimulates these points to realign an imbalance of Qi. The relationship between acupuncture and allergies is noted quite accurately by Oriental Medicine expert, Kath Bartlett, in a Fox News health report. Bartlett describes that the two are used in a "root and branch" approach. For example, a patient seeking relief for a runny nose during allergy season would be displaying symptoms of the "branch" whereas the immune system is referred to as the "root." Receiving allergy treatments in-between seasons would be considered as strengthening the "root." This philosophy reflects how personal the practice of acupuncture is. With a different index of classification for conditions, the diagnosis process is entirely unique. Though the practice of Chinese Medicine may seem unconventional to some, it has been widely proven to be an effective way of alleviating allergy symptoms. Thus chiropractic and acupuncture may be considered effective integrative care for the treatment of allergies.


Article Source: Brad Woodle