April 5, 2005

Acupuncture can relieve allergy symptoms

By Dr. Quli Zhou, L.Ac. OMD
Special to the Times

Ah, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the trees are in full bloom. Spring is just around the corner—but unfortunately so is allergy season.

According to the April 2005 issue of Health Magazine over 40 million Americans suffer from the effects of seasonal allergies and hay fever. Symptoms include itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion and headaches. German researchers found that 85 percent of people who received acupuncture treatments once a week for six weeks saw their symptoms get better.

The needles used in acupuncture are very fine, about the size of a thick hair and honed to a gently tapered tip. The needles are solid and nothing is injected through them. Most patients say they can’t feel the insertion of the needles.

Many allergy sufferers turn to over the counter medications to ease their symptoms. Others see an allergist who can prescribe stronger medications, including steroids to clear lungs, or administer allergy shots. For those who prefer to go the gentler, more natural route to alleviate their symptoms the answer can be a visit to their local acupuncturist. About 20 percent of my patients come to my office for allergies.

Allergies come when there is an imbalance in the meridian and organ systems of the body. It is important to have the correct quality and quantity of Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”) circulating throughout the body. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes inadequate, we become vulnerable to foreign invaders such as dust, pollen, mold and animal dander.

I look at each case individually. I often use needles in the meridian that is connected to the lungs and large intestines to relieve sinus pressure and congestion. I use needles on the meridian connected to the liver when the congestion is affecting the eyes.

Herbs
Oftentimes, acupuncturists use Chinese herbal medicine in addition to acupuncture to treat allergy symptoms. I give my patients herbs containing Flos Magnoliae, Fructose Xanthiu, Flos Ionicerae and Radix Angelicae Dahuricae which help to offset the sneezing, congestion, headaches and remove phlegm associated with allergies.

The herbal treatment costs $10-$12 a week.

Asian physicians have historically recognized the importance of herbs in healing. Many drugs used in Western medicine are derived from actions observed in specific herbs which have been used for generations by physicians in the East.

One patient’s story: Getting my life back
Sharon Lamb had a severe case of allergies, which gave her extreme migranes. Her allergies to grasses, weeds and molds prevented her from working or living a normal life.

Dr. Zhou uses Chinese herbs to help offset the sneezing, congestion, headaches and remove phlegm associated with allergies.

“My immune system collapsed on me, and I had severe migraines every time I went outside and I’d be in bed for three days at a time,” she said.

She remembered hearing about a friend that had been helped by acupuncture so one day she looked in the phone book and found the Eternal Health Center’s name and called our office.

“I immediately felt comfortable with Dr. Zhou. She was very compassionate,” said Lamb. “After the first treatment my migraine headaches went awa,y and I didn’t feel depleted of energy the next day like I usually did. I started out with five treatments a week and my life totally changed. I went back to work two months later. Now, three years later I can get by with two treatments in the spring. ”

Although she has some friends who are skeptical of acupuncture she ignores them. “All I know is that it works for me, when nothing else, the shots, the steroids, nothing else worked,” said Lamb. Although her insurance doesn’t cover the treatments she feels the financial burden is worth it because acupuncture has given her her life back.

Your insurance plan may cover acupuncture treatments. These typically run anywhere from $40 to $80 per visit. Visit www.acupuncture.com, click on “Search Web site,” then type in “insurance” for a list of insurance providers who cover acupuncture.

The Eternal Health Acupuncture Center is located at 1848 Saratoga Ave., Sarotoga. The phone number is (408) 379-6638 and the Web site is www.myeternalhealth.com If you have a question for Dr. Zhou or for the column send an e-mail to doctor@myeternalhealth.com.

There will be a free workshop on Allergies and Acupuncture on Monday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and another free workshop on stress management with acupressure on Wednesday, April 27 from 6:30 to 8:15. Food will be provided.