Posts Tagged ‘hay fever’
Atopic Eczema
Oct 20, 2011
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are effective treatments for atopic eczema. This guide will explain how acupuncture and Chinese herbs work to treat atopic eczema.
Atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is the most common type of chronic eczema (1). Those with atopic eczema often have a family history eczema, hay fever, and asthma.
Symptoms of Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema nearly always begins in childhood. For most people, it clears before becoming an adult. However, for some it will cycle between flare ups and remittance. Flare up can be caused by infection, stress, chemical irritants, or sometimes changes in the weather.
Eczema causes terrible itching. Particularly in atopic patients, the scratching of an itch in many cases is what leads to the development of dry, irritated, and inflamed skin associated with eczema. The itch is very intense it is often difficult to control during sleep.
Eczema can occur on the face, or patches in the body. Commonly, eczema occurs on the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. Chronic, long term eczema, may lead to thickening of the skin called lichenification.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine approach to Atopic Eczema
Traditionally, Chinese medicine called eczema the “wind of four crooks” referring to the eczema rashes on the inside of the elbows and knees (2).
Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to diagnosing eczema, considering physical, emotional, and environmental factors. The primary diagnosis is made by looking at the skin. This is combined with information from taking the pulse, observing the tongue and the skin, and asking in depth questions.
In Chinese medicine, too much “heat” is a common cause of eczema, which leads to the itch, redness, and irritation. Other imbalances called “dampness” can result in swelling and in some cases vesicles. Another possible imbalance is too little energy, or what we call “qi deficiency.” The acupuncture and herbs help to clear the heat from the body or to boost the body’s energy.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment of Atopic Eczema
The treatment will often combine acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and topical herbal creams. Acupuncture is very effective to control the itching in eczema. I find that auricular and body acupuncture combination to be the most effective. After the acupuncture, I often will use magnet stickers in ear acupuncture points that correspond to the specific area of the body the itch is found. It is possible that the same physiological mechanisms which acupuncture uses to reduce pain are effective for stopping itch in eczema (3).
Chinese medicine focuses on correcting the imbalance. If heat is the cause of the eczema, we will use herbs that traditionally are used to “clear heat” from the body, such as sheng di huang (rehmannia) and jin yin hua (honey suckle) may be used to clear heat. Many of the heat reducing herbs are also potent anti-inflammatory and perhaps have immunoregulatory properties. Dampness is also a possible cause of eczema. For this, ku shen (sophroa) is effective. There are also herbs specifically for the symptoms. For example, di fu zi (broom cypress) is very effective in reducing itch.
External herbal creams are very effective at decreasing inflammation and stopping itching. For some people, reduction in inflammation and itching happens after the first visit. Generally, I want to see some reduction in itching and inflammation within the first 2-4 weeks. The treatment course is about 3-4 months.
For many patients, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine leads to long term reduction of symptoms.
References:
1. PubMed Health. Atoptic Eczema. Accessed 10/21/2011.
2. Mazin Al-Khafaji. Atopic Eczema “Wind of the four crooks.” Journal of Chinese Medicine. Number 77: p5-8. February 2005.
3. Pfab F, Huss-Marp J, Gatti A., et al. Influence of acupuncture on type I hypersensitivity itch and the wheal and flare response in adults with atopic eczema – a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.Allergy. 2010 Jul;65(7):903-10. Epub 2009 Dec 11.
written by Joseph Alban
edited 5/14/2012
Smell the Flowers: Acupuncture and Allergies
Apr 2, 2009
Acupuncture is a becoming a popular choice for helping to reduce seasonal allergies.
Acupuncture offers an effective drug free treatment. So you can smell the flowers without worrying about being too drowsy and foggy brained.
Acupuncture is different than taking a pill
Antihistamines are commonly taken for allergies. These are medicines which block the chemicals called histamines that cause the symptoms of allergies.
Acupuncture is different. Chinese medicine works by correcting imbalances in your body, stimulating your own body to heal itself. So instead of simply suppressing the body’s reaction, it works to correct the root cause of the problem.
In other words, acupuncture helps to reset the body and remind it how to be healthy. As balance is achieved, your body is able to maintain the healthy state without medications.
The root is in your Qi
The Chinese Character for Qi
Qi (pronounced chee) is the body’s vital energy, it gives you the power to work, study, exercise, and fight illness.
The root cause of allergies is often a qi imbalance. There are two major qi imbalances. The most common one for allergies is when there is too little qi, we call this a qi vacuity. When your qi is vacuous, you feel tired, can get colds easily, may have poor digestion, coughing, wheezing, and possibly asthma. The acupuncture and herbs work to boost up your qi, giving you more energy and protecting you from allergies.
The second imbalance is called qi stagnation. This is when your qi does not circulate well. This is often caused by stress, and can cause pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, and in some cases, bring on asthma attacks.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and increase circulation. Acupuncture also helps to regulate the brain to reduce pain, so it is also possible that is another way it works to help regulate the immune response to allergies. There is still a lot more to learn about how acupuncture helps to regulate the immune system and reduce allergies.
Clinical studies are now reaffirming our clinical experience. One acupuncture research study showed acupuncture, in addition to routine care, was effective at reducing the symptoms of allergies. Another study on acupuncture for allergies show that acupuncture alone was helpful.
Get acupuncture and smell the flowers!
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can reduce your seasonal allergies, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Photos: massdistraction, wikipedia
Allergies in New York City
Mar 31, 2009
New Yorkers love springtime. Winter hibernation is over and we are instantly out enjoying the parks and the city. But for many, spring time means seasonal allergies and hay fever. And that means sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, headaches, skin irritation, and tickling in your throat.
Allergies are worse in the Northeast
It is estimated that 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. And according to Greg Kress, the owner of Pollen.com, allergies are worse in the Northeast part of the country. That means that a lot of those 35 million are living in our neck of the woods. And although we are a big city, we also have a lot of trees, grasses, and flower spreading their pollen, so New Yorker’s with allergies don’t get a free pass.
The good news for some, and bad news for others, is that according to Kress’s prediction, this year will be about the same intensity as last year.
What causes allergies
Seasonal allergies are reactions to pollen spread by the wind. Generally, allergies are worse from the end of March to June, but, depending on what plant you are allergic to, there are those who also suffer from allergies in the summer and fall as well.
When you breathe in the pollen, your body reacts as if the it were a disease causing pathogen and starts an immune reaction to combat it. Antibodies attach the allergen and then histamines are released into the blood, which cause the symptoms.
Allergies can seriously impact your life
Everyone knows that the symptoms of allergies can are painful and uncomfortable, but it can also lead to other more severe adverse effects.
Allergies affect your productivity at work and school. Currently, some scientists are starting to explore a link between depression, fatigue, insomnia, and allergies.
Natural Treatments of Allergies
The best thing to avoid allergies is to avoid the allergen. But that’s not always possible, especially when the allergen is floating in the air we breathe.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are becoming more popular to treat allergies. I see many patients to reduce allergies and prevent them. It also is an effective drug free choice which has no side effects. Unlike antihistamines, acupuncture does not make you drowsy. Acupressure is also helpful.
How does Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treat allergies?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are very effective at treating allergies. Chinese medicine works by correcting imbalances in the body. When the imbalance is corrected, your body can heal itself.
Acupuncture has long been used for allergies and some research is now showing that it is effective. Personally, I like to combine acupuncture, acupressure, and sometimes Chinese herbs for the most effective treatment. In the following posts I will explain acupuncture theory behind treating allergies.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can reduce your seasonal allergies, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Photo: brookenovak, Corinna A. Carlson
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