Seasonal Allergy Prevention

According to Stats Canada, 20-25% of Canadians have seasonal allergies, aka, hay fever, or, allergic rhinitis. Common symptoms may be runny / stuffy nose, itchy / red scratchy watery eyes, sneezing, itchy nose. If you’re reading this, you likely experience these symptoms, or someone you care about does. These symptoms can cause a normally sane person to go crazy. Acupuncture and chinese medicine can be very effective to help prevent symptoms during the spring allergy season.

I used to live in the kootenays for several years, and loved it, especially since I never experienced allergy symptoms there, but did severely on the coast. I used to joke that I was allergic to Vancouver. As I learned more about Chinese Medicine, I began to understand why. I now follow a strict allergy prevention treatment protocol in the late winter months (March, April) into the early spring months (April, May), and no longer experience hay fever symptoms.

In chinese medicine, we understand allergies to be an overactive immune system attacking an external pathogen. Sometimes this external pathogen may be something that we commonly find in the air or in our houses - such as pollen, flowers, dust, mold, and pet hair. The goal of treatment is to regulate the immune system to help it understand that it is attacking something that is not actually a threat to us, and to stop over-reacting causing our unwanted symptoms. Our bodies are amazing, so amazing in fact, that they can easily go overboard trying to protect us from potential threats. The problem arises when our immune system overreacts, in the case of allergies. Acupuncture can be very helpful to regulate the body’s immune system, and rid us of these symptoms. A priority during treatment is to minimize exposure to the allergen, and allow the immune system to downregulate, a difficult task for someone suffering from hay fever in the Vancouver springtime. Therefore, the best time to take action to prevent these symptoms is during late winter, in the weeks leading up to allergy season.

I used to hate leaving the house in the springtime because of my allergy symptoms. Now, it is one of my most favourite times of year. I will be starting my own weekly allergy acupuncture treatment on March 1st until mid-May (depending on how our allergy season arises). Will you be joining me?