With pollen count high at the moment, many people will find themselves suffering from Hayfever symptoms, making them feel miserable - and Acupuncture can offer natural and effective relief.
It's estimated that Hayfever affects 25% per cent of the UK's population, and there's little support that the NHS can offer. Common symptoms of hayfever can include:
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Watering eyes
- Itchy, red eyes
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
- Blocked nose
- Loss of smell or taste
- Blocked sinuses (sinusitis)
- Runny nose
- Disturbed sleep
- Itchy ears
Hayfever symptoms can get worse and may lead to coughing, asthma, wheezing, stress, lack of sleep, and fatigue.
Hayfever is a reaction of the body's immune system to pollen or spores from grass, weeds and trees. Hay fever, also known as seasonal rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen and therefore is common in spring and summer.
How does Acupuncture help?
Treating Hayfever with Acupuncture brings relief from hayfever by stimulating nerves located around the face, muscles and surrounding tissues.
The British Acupuncture Council shows supporting evidence for using acupuncture to help treat allergies stating that ‘Evidence from systematic reviews suggests that acupuncture and moxibustion may be a safe and effective treatment for allergies with benefits over conventional medicine’.
The treatment focuses on specific Acupuncture points around the body to reduce the histamine immune response and the inflammation that often follows. As the Acupuncture points are stimulated, the body releases endorphins and other anti-inflammatory neurochemical messengers around the body. Acupuncture treatment teaches the immune system not to overreact to pollen, certain foods and pet hair. It has been found to boost the immune system if natural defence mechanisms are inefficient. Acupuncture effectively treats hayfever and allergies without any lasting side effects.
Having an Acupuncture treatment can give you the longer-term benefits of hayfever relief, without any side effects or resistance to medication that can come from long-term use of substances such as corticosteroids.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, Acupuncture points restore the flow of energy or Qi to the nerves and sinuses of the head and face. After the Acupuncture treatment, the part of your brain that has become hypersensitive to pollen and activates the hayfever histamine response is calmer. This helps the immune response to pollen and allergies to become more balanced.
Chinese medicine believes that health is the free flow of Qi or energy around the body. When the energy flows around you freely, you are healthy and energetic. When Qi does not flow due to congestion and inflammation, we are prone to developing ill-health, tiredness and fatigue.
How often shall I have acupuncture for Hayfever?
Hayfever often responds quickly and positively to Acupuncture; two to three treatments are usually needed. Occasionally depending on age and type of sensitivity levels to pollen, you may need an occasional top-up.
For some particularly severe pollen allergies, acupuncture is needed once in three weeks until the hayfever season is over.
If you would like to book an appointment to have Acupuncture, please feel welcome to give me a call or book online here.