Originally published April 2024 · Last updated March 2026 with current research and 2026 pollen season guidance.
You already know the feeling. The pollen count rises, and within hours your eyes are streaming, your nose is completely blocked, and the brain fog that descends makes even simple tasks feel like hard work. If you have spent years reaching for antihistamines the moment spring arrives and wondering whether there is something more you could do, this guide is for you.
Acupuncture and acupressure offer something that antihistamines cannot: they work with your immune system rather than simply suppressing part of it. The specific points used in hay fever acupuncture treatment have been studied and used in clinical practice for centuries, and the research behind them has grown considerably in the last few years. Below you will find both a practical at-home acupressure routine and a clear explanation of what each point is doing in the body.
Key Takeaways- Six specific acupuncture points are most commonly used for allergy and hay fever relief, each targeting a different part of the allergic response
- Acupressure on these points can be practised at home for immediate symptom relief between clinical sessions
- Clinical acupuncture goes deeper, regulating IgE antibody production and calming the inflammatory cascade at the source
- A 2024 meta-analysis covering over 1,000 patients found significant improvements in nasal symptoms and quality of life with acupuncture treatment
- Starting treatment before your pollen season peaks gives the best results; coming mid-season is still worthwhile
- The nervous system, the gut, and the immune system are all connected in the allergic response, and acupuncture addresses all three
How to use this guideThe acupressure routine below is something you can begin at home today. It will not replace clinical treatment, but it is a meaningful support in between sessions and during peak allergy periods. If you are new to acupuncture and wondering whether it is right for your situation, there is more information about the clinical side towards the end of this post.
Seasonal allergies affect around one in four people in the UK. For many, standard medication only partially controls symptoms; acupuncture addresses the immune system response behind them.Why Allergies Happen and What They Have to Do With Your Immune System
Allergic rhinitis happens when the immune system misidentifies a harmless substance, such as grass pollen or tree pollen, as a threat. The immune system mounts a response exactly as it would against a genuine invader: releasing histamine, triggering inflammation, and producing the cascade of symptoms that makes spring so miserable for so many people across Teesside and beyond.
The important thing to understand is that this is not a malfunction. Your immune system is doing exactly what immune systems do. The problem is one of calibration: the response is disproportionate to the actual threat. This is where acupuncture becomes relevant, because what it does best is recalibration.
Hay fever symptoms are driven by an immune overreaction to pollen. Acupuncture targets the underlying immune response, not just the surface symptoms.How Traditional Chinese Medicine Views Allergies
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, allergic rhinitis is understood as an imbalance across three meridian systems. This is not simply poetic language: these meridians map onto the organ systems that modern research is also finding to be involved in allergic conditions.
Lung Meridian
Governs the respiratory system and the body's relationship with the external environment. Lung Qi deficiency leads to nasal congestion, sneezing, and difficulty breathing through the nose.
Spleen Meridian
Responsible for fluid metabolism and transformation. Spleen Qi deficiency results in excess mucus production, which drives the runny nose and post-nasal drip so characteristic of hay fever.
Kidney Meridian
Considered the root of immune resilience in TCM. Kidney deficiency weakens the body's capacity to regulate immune responses, which is why some people react to pollen far more severely than others.
The meridian system maps the energy pathways that acupuncture works with. For allergy treatment, points along the Lung, Large Intestine and Spleen meridians are most commonly used alongside local points near the sinuses and eyes.Understanding this underlying pattern is what allows acupuncture to address your allergy symptoms at the root rather than simply dampening the surface reaction. Every treatment plan I create at my Middlesbrough clinic starts from an understanding of which pattern is driving a patient's particular presentation, which is why two people with similar hay fever symptoms may receive somewhat different point selections.
At-Home Acupressure Routine for Hay Fever Relief
Acupressure applies firm but gentle pressure to the same points that acupuncture needles target. It will not produce the same depth of effect as clinical treatment, but it is a genuinely useful tool for immediate symptom management. Practice this routine two to three times a day during peak season, or whenever symptoms are at their worst.
You will need only your fingers. The index and middle fingers provide the best leverage. Apply firm pressure, starting gently and building gradually, and hold each point for 30 to 60 seconds. Some points will feel slightly tender, which is normal and usually means you have found the right spot.
Point 1LI 20: Welcome Fragrance
Clears nasal congestion
Located on both sides of the nostrils, in the groove where the nose meets the cheek.
Using both index fingers, apply gentle pressure directly beside each nostril and massage in small circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds. You may notice your nasal passages begin to ease almost immediately.
Opens nasal pathways · Relieves sinus pressureImage courtesy of 'A Manual of Acupuncture' by Peter Deadman
Point 2LI 4: Hegu
Reduces inflammation & supports immunity
In the webbing between your thumb and index finger, at the highest point of the muscle when the two are pressed together.
Apply firm pressure with your opposite thumb for 30 to 60 seconds, then repeat on the other hand. This is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory points in the body and is central to most allergy protocols. Note: avoid during pregnancy.
Reduces inflammation · Relieves headaches · Immune supportImage courtesy of 'A Manual of Acupuncture' by Peter Deadman
Point 3ST 36: Zusanli
Strengthens the immune system
Below the kneecap, approximately four finger-widths down on the outer edge of the shin bone.
Massage firmly for 30 seconds on each leg. ST 36 is sometimes called the Master Immunity Point and has been used in TCM for thousands of years as a general strengthening and regulating point. During hay fever season, it helps the body maintain a more balanced immune response rather than escalating reactivity.
Boosts immunity · Improves energy · Regulates immune responseImage courtesy of 'A Manual of Acupuncture' by Peter Deadman
Point 4BL 2: Zanzhu
Relieves sinus pressure & eye symptoms
At the inner corner of each eyebrow, just above the bridge of the nose.
Gently press both points simultaneously with your thumbs, using a slow inward and upward pressure for 30 seconds. This point has an almost immediate effect on eye itching and redness, and helps to drain the sinus congestion that builds up around the eyes and forehead.
Eases sinus pressure · Reduces eye irritation · Clears forehead congestionImage courtesy of 'A Manual of Acupuncture' by Peter Deadman
Point 5DU 20: Upper Star
Clears sinus blockage & improves breathing
One finger-width above the midline of your forehead, along the central line of the skull.
Apply firm pressure with your middle finger for 30 seconds, then transition into small circular massage for a further 30 seconds. DU 20 is particularly effective for the heavy, blocked sensation in the upper sinuses that can make it feel as though your whole head is stuffed with cotton wool.
Opens nasal passages · Reduces sinus pressure · Improves airflowImage courtesy of 'A Manual of Acupuncture' by Peter Deadman
Bonus TechniqueAlternate Nostril Breathing
Known in yoga as Nadi Shodhana, this breathing technique balances the nervous system and directly opens the nasal passages. When your sinuses are completely blocked, even a few minutes of this practice can create noticeable relief.
- Close your right nostril with your right thumb. Breathe in slowly through the left nostril.
- Close the left nostril with your ring finger. Release your thumb and breathe out through the right nostril.
- Breathe in through the right nostril. Then close it and breathe out through the left.
- That is one round. Repeat for 5 minutes, breathing slowly and without strain.
When and How Often to Practise
The most effective time to practise acupressure for hay fever is during your personal worst period of the day. For most people this is morning, when pollen counts are highest, or early evening when they have been outdoors. Practising twice a day during peak season, once in the morning and once in the evening, will give you the best results.
Each session needs only ten to fifteen minutes to work through all five points. The effects are cumulative: the more consistently you practise, the more your nervous system learns to respond less dramatically to pollen exposure. Think of it less as a rescue remedy and more as a daily recalibration.
"Acupressure gives you something meaningful to do on the difficult days. Clinical acupuncture addresses the pattern underneath them. Both have a role."
What Clinical Acupuncture Does That Acupressure Cannot
Acupressure is a valuable home tool, but it works at a different depth than acupuncture with needles. The reason matters.
When an acupuncture needle is inserted at the correct point, it creates a specific neurological and biochemical response in the tissue. Research has shown that this includes direct stimulation of the vagus nerve (which connects the brain, immune system, and respiratory tract), suppression of the inflammatory cytokines that drive the allergic cascade, and a measurable reduction in the IgE antibodies your immune system produces in response to allergens.
What the Research ShowsA 2024 meta-analysis covering 1,186 patients across multiple randomised controlled trials found that acupuncture produced significant improvements in allergy symptoms when compared to control groups. Importantly, patients who received acupuncture also showed lower relapse rates, meaning the effects persisted beyond the treatment period rather than disappearing the moment treatment stopped.
A separate 2024 review in the International Journal of General Medicine identified four distinct mechanisms through which acupuncture influences the allergic response: immune regulation, neural modulation, inflammation control, and the gut-immune axis. The researchers described acupuncture as offering a fundamentally different approach to allergic rhinitis with a notably favourable safety profile.
Bu F, Lou Z · International Journal of General Medicine (2024) · PMC11708199
In practice at my Middlesbrough clinic, I find that patients who commit to a course of treatment across the hay fever season, rather than a single appointment to test the water, consistently report a meaningful shift. Some notice it within three to four sessions. For others it builds across the season and becomes more pronounced the following year. The honest answer is that timing matters: starting before the season peaks allows the immune regulation work to take effect before your system is already in full reaction mode. But arriving mid-season is not too late.
For anyone across Teesside wondering whether hay fever acupuncture is worth trying this year, I am always happy to have a conversation about what is realistic for your specific history before you commit to anything.
Your PractitionerDeanna Thomas
BSc (Hons) Acupuncture · MBAcC · DipObsGyn · NLP & EFT Practitioner
I specialise in helping people find lasting relief from seasonal allergies, hay fever, and allergic rhinitis at my clinic in Middlesbrough. Since 2021, I have worked with patients from across Teesside, Yarm, Stokesley, Ingleby Barwick and beyond, building over 700 five-star reviews.
Every treatment plan I create starts with understanding the individual: not just which symptoms you have, but what pattern in your system is creating them. That is what makes acupuncture for allergies different from a tablet you take and hope for the best.
If you have questions about whether acupuncture is right for your situation, you are welcome to get in touch before booking anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is acupressure different from acupuncture?
Acupressure uses finger pressure on the same points that acupuncture needles target. It is something you can practise yourself at home and can provide meaningful immediate relief, particularly for nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Clinical acupuncture works at a deeper level because the needle creates a specific tissue response that finger pressure cannot replicate: stimulating the vagus nerve, regulating IgE antibody production, and calming the inflammatory cascade at the source. Both have value, and they work well alongside each other.
Can I do acupressure if I have never had acupuncture before?
Yes, completely. The points described in this guide are safe to use at home with your fingers. The only exception is LI 4 (the hand point), which should be avoided during pregnancy as it has a strong descending action. If you are pregnant and suffering from hay fever, please mention this when you book a consultation, as there are points I would prioritise for you instead that are safe throughout pregnancy.
Is it too late to start acupuncture mid-season?
No. The ideal time to begin is four to six weeks before your particular pollen season starts, because this allows the regulatory work to settle in before your immune system is already in full reaction mode. But coming mid-season is genuinely worthwhile. Many of my patients in Middlesbrough first come to me when their symptoms are already peaking, and the majority still notice a meaningful reduction within a few sessions. The honest picture is that starting earlier gives better results, but it is rarely too late.
Can I use acupressure alongside antihistamines?
Yes. Acupressure and acupuncture work through completely different mechanisms to antihistamines, and there is no conflict between them. Many of the patients I work with use antihistamines at the start of a course of treatment and gradually find they need them less as the season progresses. I would never suggest stopping a medication that is helping you, but the goal for most people is to need less of it over time.
How many sessions does it take before I notice a difference?
Most people begin to notice something within three to five sessions. The shift can be subtle at first: sleeping better, waking less congested, needing less medication on a given day. With ongoing treatment across the season, those smaller shifts tend to compound. I will always give you a realistic picture at your first appointment based on your specific history, because the timeline varies between individuals.
Final Thoughts
Seasonal allergies are genuinely miserable, and if you have been managing them for years with varying degrees of success, you already know that antihistamines are only part of the answer for some people. The acupressure routine in this guide is a useful tool to have in your hands, and I would encourage you to use it. Even if you never come for clinical treatment, those five points can make difficult days a little easier.
For the people who want more than a few easier days, who want to understand what is happening in their immune system and work with it over a season, acupuncture offers something meaningfully different. It does not work for everyone, and I would never suggest otherwise. But for a significant number of the people I see across Teesside each year, it is the first thing that has made spring feel manageable again.
If you would like to find out more about acupuncture for hay fever at my Middlesbrough clinic, or you would simply like to ask whether treatment makes sense for your situation, you are very welcome to get in touch. There is no script and no pressure. Just an honest conversation about what might help.
Found this useful? Someone else in your life might too. Feel free to share it with anyone who dreads hay fever season as much as you do. 🌿
Would you like some support this season?
Grass pollen season is approaching and tree pollen is already high across the North East. If you would like to explore what acupuncture could do for your hay fever, you are welcome to book a consultation in your own time.
Book a Consultation No obligation. Just a conversation about what might help.