Can Acupuncture Help My Allergies?

It’s fall in Austin, which means the temperature drops slightly, the wind picks up … and most of us want to be outside. This is the time of year when you hear folks say “Oh, it’s so nice today, what is it, 90?” With the weather improving, it’s a shame that more of us are experiencing issues with allergies. And I feel you, because I’m in the same boat as you, drifting through a sea of pollen.

Don’t give up hope though! There are some things you can do to help boost your immune system to fight back against pollen. Here are some tips:

• Get plenty of rest – ever noticed that your allergies are worse at the end of the day, right before bedtime? It’s because you’re tired and your body is running out of steam to support the immune system. You need enough rest to support your immune system for the whole day, so try and get at least 8 hours every night (a good rule of thumb in general, but especially this time of year).
• Homeopathy – People’s Pharmacy has some great options to help you deal with the pollen this year. There’s a great line of homeopathic sprays (I’m currently taking Professional Health Products Household Dust and Mold to combat the mold in Austin) and some alternative antihistamine product (I’m taking D-Hist right now and find it helps a lot). Do I still sometimes need Zyrtec? Sure, but not every day with these beauties on my side!
• Congee – if you’ve seen me at the clinic you’ve heard me mention congee (probably multiple times). I too have started my congee up again to help make my digestion stronger, because that’s the only way to strengthen my immune system. So if you’re having allergies too, start your congee back up, and eat it for breakfast at least 3-5 times a week.
• Acupuncture – even though I’m an acupuncturist, I still find it difficult to always get a weekly treatment. But once September hit, I knew I needed to change my tune to prevent being miserable this season. So I’m also getting at least one acupuncture treatment a week, with the focus being to increase my immune system. I’ve already noticed a difference in the last few weeks.
• Avoid food allergies – there may be things in your diet that are making your allergies worse. For me it’s cheese. Yes, I usually try and avoid dairy (and don’t drink milk in general), but I like cheese occasionally. However, when my allergies are acting up, cheese sends me into a phlegm cycle that really makes it unappealing. So pay attention to what you’re eating, and how you feel before, during, and after the meal. It can make a huge difference.

Hopefully you aren’t experiencing allergy issues. But if you are, these tips should help. So bust out the crockpot, head to People’s Pharmacy, and make an acupuncture appointment for a little immune boost. You’ll be glad you did when Cedar season hits. ;)

-Misty Reed