ACUPUNCTURE > UPPER AND LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Allergic Rhinitis: Spring has arrived bringing along renewal and the need to get out and enjoy nature. On the other hand, spring for some people, who are allergic is a very difficult season, as it puts them in a constant challenge with the circulating allergens that cause them irritating symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever, is an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, congestion, itchy nose and sore throat. Pollen, pet dander, mold and insects are the allergens responsible for these symptoms.

When do people get allergic rhinitis?

These symptoms can occur at any time of the year. Seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and early fall when trees and weeds bloom and pollen counts are higher. Perennial allergies can happen year-round. They result from irritants that are always around, such as pet dander, cockroaches and dust mites.

How is Hay Fever Treated?

Allergic rhinitis treated with acupuncture

The goal of treatment is to achieve maximum symptomatic relief with as few side effects as possible. The most practical and effective treatment is based on avoiding allergens and alleviating symptoms with drugs, such as decongestants, antihistamines etc.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture can relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, starting from the first session. This holistic therapy can also increase the intervals between flare-ups.

If there is a seasonal distribution of the disease, it is advisable to repeat the treatment protocol before the onset of symptoms, but with fewer acupuncture sessions.

This ancient method strengthens the body’s immune system as a whole, thus helping it to react better to allergenic stimuli.

References

1. Small, P., Keith, P.K. & Kim, H. Allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 14 (Suppl 2), 51 (2018).
2. McDonald JL, Smith PK, Smith CA, Changli Xue C, Golianu B, Cripps AW; Mucosal Immunology Research Group. Effect of acupuncture on house dust mite specific IgE, substance P, and symptoms in persistent allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016 Jun;116(6):497-505. Chen YD, Jin XQ, Yu MH, Fang Y, Huang LQ.
3. Acupuncture for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis: A non-randomized controlled trial. Chin J Integr Med. 2016 Jul;22(7):518-24. Wen CY, Liu YF, Zhou L, Zhang HX, Tu SH.
4. A Systematic and Narrative Review of Acupuncture Point Application Therapies in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma during Dog Days. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:846851.

Are you troubled by a constant cough ???

Our body responds to irritants in the throat and respiratory tract, by paroxysmal coughing. If coughing becomes a persistent symptom for a long duration of time it may become unpleasant and tiring, and may affect our daily life and ruin our sleep. Chronic cough can usually be resolved by treating the underlying cause, however the difficulty lies in finding the cause.

The most common causes of chronic cough are:

• postnasal secretions,
• asthma and
• gastroesophageal reflux, but can also be caused by
• medication,
• bronchitis,
• or an infection.

How Acupuncture alleviates this irritating symptom:

Acupuncture reduces the symptoms and stimulates the body’s self-healing abilities. Acupuncture promotes the alteration of the bronchus mobility and regulates the production of secretions and the contraction of the bronchi.

Advantages of acupuncture in cough:

• Reduction of coughing bouts
• Balances the body’s chemical imbalances
• Strengthens the immune system
• Absence of side effects
• Significant long-term benefits
• Improves sleep (cough free)

Auricular Acupuncture can also be used to treat cough:

Auricular acupuncture is one of the most widespread microsystems, in recent years.  It has received international recognition, is taught in many countries and the World Health Organization recognizes it as a therapeutic system with a wide range of applications, good results, safety and ease of application.

Βιβλιογραφία

• Kim AR, Choi JY, Kim JI, Jung SY, Choi SM. Acupuncture treatment of a patient with persistent allergic rhinitis complicated by rhinosinusitis and asthma. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011.
• Suzuki M, Yokoyama Y, Yamazaki H. Research into acupuncture for respiratory disease in Japan: a systematic review. Acupunct Med. 2009 Jun;27(2):54-60.
• Hu J. Acupuncture treatment of cough. J Tradit Chin Med. 2007 Sep;27(3):233-5.

Acupuncture for asthma management, in collaboration with a patient’s physician, can be supplemented with other treatments, either conventional or alternative.

Asthma is characterized by bronchial hyper-responsiveness and chronic airway inflammation and accompanied by episodic wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and cough.

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, 
• Coughing or wheezing attacks

How does Acupuncture work  to relieve symptoms?

• Reduces the bouts of asthma attacks
  

  Asthma treated with Acupuncture

• Balances the chemical equilibrium of the body
• Strengthens the immune system
• Has No side effects
• Reduce the frequency of asthma attacks

Auricular acupuncture can also be applied. In recent years, acupuncture is one of the most widespread therapeutic methods, has received international recognition and is taught in many countries worldwide. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as a therapeutic method with a wide range of applications, including asthma and bronchial diseases, which encompasses good results, safety and ease of application.

References

• Su L, Meng L, Chen R, Wu W, Peng B, Man L. Acupoint Application for Asthma Therapy in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Forsch Komplementmed. 2016;23(1):16-21.
• Pai HJ, Azevedo RS, Braga AL, Martins LC, Saraiva-Romanholo BM, Martins Mde A, Lin CA. A randomized, controlled, crossover study in patients with mild and moderate asthma undergoing treatment with traditional Chinese acupuncture. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015 Oct;70(10):663-9.
• Liu CF1, Chien LW2. Efficacy of acupuncture in children with asthma: a systematic review. Ital J Pediatr. 2015 Jul 7;41:48.