Every spring, I see more patients walk into my clinic sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing their itchy eyes. Allergies aren’t just inconvenient—they disrupt sleep, concentration, and overall quality of life. If you’re one of the many people who dread allergy season, you’ll be excited to learn that acupuncture is an effective treatment for allergies.
A new clinical trial published in Advanced Biomedical Research looked at how acupuncture, when used alongside conventional medications, affects people suffering from allergic rhinitis. The results? Patients who received acupuncture experienced significantly greater relief from sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching, and tearing than those who only received standard treatments (1).
As a licensed acupuncturist, these findings resonate with what I see in practice every day. Acupuncture doesn’t just manage symptoms; it helps rebalance the body so it can defend itself more effectively and you feel better when medications do not fully help.
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Understanding Allergies in Acupuncture
In Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, allergic rhinitis is caused by an invasion of external Wind, sometimes combined with Heat or Cold. Think of Wind as an invisible, fast-moving force that stirs up symptoms like sneezing, itching, and congestion. If Wind-Heat is present, symptoms may include red itchy eyes and a sore throat. Wind-Cold typically shows up as clear runny nose, chills, and body aches.
But why do allergies affect some people more than others? That’s where Wei Qi, or defensive Qi, comes in. Similar to the concept of immune strength, Wei Qi protects the body from external pathogens. When it’s weak—often due to underlying imbalances —allergens like pollen can wreak havoc.
Boosting Your Qi to Prevent Allergies
The best time to start managing seasonal allergies is before they begin. In TCM, we focus not just on suppressing symptoms but on preventing flare-ups by strengthening the body’s foundation. This means boosting Qi and harmonizing the organs that generate and regulate Wei Qi:
- Lung Qi: Helps with respiration and governs the Wei Qi.
- Digestive/ Spleen Qi: Supports digestion and helps produce Qi and Blood.
- Kidney Qi: Nourishes the root of vitality and supports the other organs.
Treatments may include acupuncture points like ST36 (Zusanli) to build overall Qi, LU7 (Lieque) to open the lungs, and herbal formulas like Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen) to strengthen the body’s defenses.
What the study found
The study found that patients in the acupuncture group experienced significantly greater improvements in symptoms compared to those in the control group. Sneezing scores decreased by an average of 5.3 points (versus 2.8 in the control group), and runny nose scores decreased by 4.6 points (versus 2.8 in the control). Notably, symptoms such as nasal congestion, itching, and tearing also dropped significantly more in the acupuncture group. These results were observed at both 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the start of treatment, indicating not just short-term relief but lasting improvement.
Acupuncture Protocol from the Study
In the clinical trial, the acupuncture protocol included both local and distal points selected based on the patient’s TCM diagnosis. These points aimed to address common TCM patterns such as Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, and Qi Deficiency of the Lung, Spleen, or Kidney systems.
Local points used were:
- Ermen (TE21), Tinggong (SI19), Tinghui (GB2), and Yifeng (TE17): Located around the ears and used to alleviate nasal and sinus congestion, improve circulation in the head and face, and open the sensory orifices.
Systemic and supportive points included:
- Houxi (SI3) and Shenmai (BL62): Often paired to regulate the Du and Yang Qiao vessels, helping with exterior Wind conditions.
- Lieque (LU7) and Zhaohai (KID6): Used to balance the Ren and Yin Qiao vessels and support Lung and Kidney communication.
- Feishu (BL13), Taiyuan (LU9), Shenzhu (DU12): Points that tonify Lung Qi and address respiratory imbalances.
- Shenshu (BL23), Taixi (KID3): Support Kidney Qi and foundational energy.
- Zusanli (ST36), Pishu (BL20), Zhongwan (REN12): Strengthen Spleen Qi and overall digestion to help prevent damp accumulation.
- Mingmen (DU4), Guanyuan (REN4): Reinforce foundational Yang and support vitality.
These acupuncture points reflect the comprehensive, whole-body approach typical in TCM, working to address both root causes and branch symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
A Holistic Treatment Plan
In my practice, treating allergies starts with an in-depth assessment. Each person is unique, and so is their allergy pattern. A typical plan might include weekly acupuncture during allergy season and Chinese herbal medicine tailored to your constitution.
Breathe better. Feel better. Get acupuncture.
Allergies may be common, but they don’t have to be inevitable. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer time-tested, research-supported strategies to ease symptoms and strengthen your defenses. Instead of dreading the changing seasons, let’s work together so you can enjoy them.
It’s always rewarding to hear patients say things like, “This is the first spring I’ve felt like myself again!” Acupuncture offers a gentle, drug-free way to feel better and build resilience. If you’re struggling with allergies or want to prepare your body for the seasons ahead, acupuncture may be the missing piece of your wellness puzzle.
References:
- Shahbazi A, Ghasemi M, Ghasemi A, et al. The effect of acupuncture along with conventional therapies on the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Adv Biomed Res. 2023;12:1. doi:10.4103/abr.abr_1_23.
