Acupuncture Helps Allergies
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy are effective tools to help strengthen a weakened immune system and address respiratory ailments such as:
- Sinusitis
- Open nasal passages
- Sore Throat
- Common Cold
- Frequent Colds
- Coughs
- Bronchitis
- Bronchial Conditions
- Asthma
- Recurrent Chest Infections
- Allergies
- Emphysema
- Hay fever
- Auto Immune disease
Immune Function
Our immune system is responsible for fighting off infectious pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins. This defense system is comprised a complex networks of organs that include the thymus gland, spleen, blood, marrow and lymph nodes. When the body is invaded by foreign entities our immune system response releases specialized cells – T-cells, B cells, and macrophages – to ward off infection. Stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, chronic inflammatory disease, and auto immune complications can compromise our immune system making it difficult to fight off infection and eventually lead to more complex chronic issues.
The National Institute of Health and other institutes such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering are finding that acupuncture has beneficial effects on the overall immune system. These benefits range from an increase in red and white blood cell count in compromised patients to increasing lymphocyte and natural killer cell activity in patients with chronic illnesses.
Research has indicated that acupuncture works to stimulate the body’s own natural defenses and certain acupuncture points have been shown to enhance the immune system’s performance. Additionally, acupuncture also has a relaxing effect on the body, can improve sleep performance, and promote healthy digestion all of which help support a healthy immune system.
Effects of acupuncture on the Immune System:
- Stimulate TH1 (fungi, virus, bacteria)
- TH2 (immunity-IgE, IgA, IgG) natural antibodies for immunity
- TH3 (mucosa – lymph, plasma cells)
- ↑ IL-2, IFγ, and Natural Killer Cells of the spleen
- Regulate IgA – the antibody of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
Allergies
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been proven to help alleviate the symptoms of allergies when they are active and more importantly, can help to correct the immune system imbalance that causes the allergic response in the first place.
Acupuncture treatment affects allergies in several ways:
- Decrease swelling and inflammation of local tissues to stop itching.
- Decrease secretions of mucus membranes to reduce nasal discharge and watery eyes.
- Strengthen your natural resistance to antigens.