If you or  anyone  you love has ever  suffered from the irritating and debilitating
symptoms related to allergies you are very likely not enamoured with the idea of
a change of season looming. Acupuncture may be the answer!

Allergies are often overreactions of the immune system to things in the environment,
such as dust, pollen, and foods, and these are more  common  experiences in Spring
or Autumn.

When an allergic person’s immune  system is triggered  by an allergen, it can cause
inflammation. This  inflammation  can  manifest  in  terms  of sneezing, itching eyes,
headaches, fatigue and runny nose (rhinitis). In some cases, individuals experience
skin reactions  such as  eczema or hives; and, in rarer cases, even life-threatening
constriction of the airways.

While you are likely to find many forms of medications available via prescription or over
the counter in pharmacies, these may not offer an ideal solution, particularly if you are
committed to embracing natural alternatives for your health.

In some  cases, these  pharmaceutica l medications may have side-effects, such as
temporary  loss  of  smell  and  taste. At  the same time, while medications serve to
address specific allergic-related symptoms, they offer no nutritional or overall health
benefit to the body.

Of course, it is important in taking control  of one’s health, that  individuals make
informed  decisions. If  pharmaceutical medications  are your treatment of choice,
ensure you are fully aware of the consequences of any medications and make an
informed choice.

Acupuncture can be considered as another fast, effective quick-responding alternative
to pharmaceutical medications injections. And, acupuncture is an effective therapy for
adults & children, although you may wish to speak with your Practitioner first regarding
young children.

In some cases, a series of herbs may be another option for very young children.

Acupuncture & Chinese medicine have been used for thousands of years to treat
and  minimise  a  range  of health issues, including symptoms related to seasonal
allergies. The World  Health  Organisation (WHO)  has recognised the benefits of
Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a system of healing that focuses on improving the overall wellbeing
of the client through the insertion  of fine needles  into the body at specific points.
Traditional  acupuncture  is  based  on  an ancient Chinese theory that Qi (energy)
flows through distinct channels, or meridians, that travel throughout the body.

Disease, pain  or  discomfort  can  be  signs  that  there are blockages in the flow of
our Qi. Acupuncture, can  help to  release that  blockage & promote a free flow of Qi.
Acupuncture can encourage the strengthening of body’s immune system to help fight
off the effects of these allergens & help to improve the  lymphatic system’s ability to
eliminate those toxins built up in the body as a result of the allergies.

In the long term, Acupuncture can help to relieve pain, improve the body’s overall
wellbeing and restore health.

Acupuncture works because it  treats the person as a whole, does  not just focus
on isolated symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine can help bring significant relief
of symptoms, and can also correct imbalances of the immune system, prevent the
occurrence of infection, and allow healing of tissues of the sinuses.

One of the most powerful effects of acupuncture is its ability to bring the body back to
a state of balance or homeostasis, by addressing the underlying causes of allergies.

Many people  see results after  the first treatment of acupuncture; and in fact, some
individuals see results even as they lay on the table during an acupuncture treatment.
When acupuncture is viewed as part of a broader lifestyle change, the results can be
quite significant.

Generally speaking, where clients incorporate a regimen of regular acupuncture Chinese
herbs as well as some minor dietary changes such as eliminating  dairy and sugar based products from their diet, they see a further improvement in their symptoms.

In some cases, clients need to return to acupuncture for a “tune up” once or twice
throughout the year to be able to keep the body strong against these allergens.

In a study published in the November 2004 Paediatrics it was found that children with
hay-fever who received acupuncture experienced  better allergy symptom scores and
more  symptom-free  days, both  during the  treatment period and during the months
that followed. In some cases, these effects lasted about 10 weeks after the
treatments ended.

Acupuncture is certainly a treatment option for parents to consider for themselves and
their children as a safe alternative way in treating allergies.

At the Haberfield Naturopathic Clinic, our Acupuncturists are fully qualified and are
available to answer any questions you may have. Individuals choosing acupuncture
can also claim rebates against their private health fund.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

ACT NOW before allergy season hits and get your body and your life back, allergy-free!

Contact the Haberfield Naturopathic Clinic on 02 9797 0422 for appointments.

©Rosa Ghidella, 2011

Common Cold Prevention & Treatment

This article is written by Brendan Meek with extracts from Japanese Herbal Medicine by
Robert Rister.

Colds can be caused by a wide variety of rhinoviruses that are capable of infecting
the upper respiratory tract. Once a person has been exposed to a particular strain of
rhinovirus, he or she usually develops an immune defense to it.

There are enough strains of rhinovirus, however, that the average adult is exposed to
one or two new strains per year. Young children with their developing immune systems
can have  as many as  seven colds a year. Exposure  to new strains, combined with a
general lack of immune resistance, sets the stage for a cold.

The cure  for the  common cold continues to evade the best efforts of modern medical
science. That is because the rhinovirus is extraordinary well adapted to it’s human host.

Why can’t modern medicine cure the common cold?  

In comparing over the counter medicines with Acupuncture  and Chinese Medicine, over
the counter (OTC) medicine does not improve body resistance and  may lead to further susceptibility to colds and flu’s.

OTC’s cannot prevent colds and flu’s and can only be used at the time of illness to apply treatment. Flu shots may provide resistance  or immunity to a particular strain or strains
of pathogen, but will not enhance overall immunity.

From the Chinese medicine point of view, the body stops the invading disease at it’s
borders, namely the skin, muscles and joints.

The fight between the body’s defensive functions and the pathogen heats the surface
of the body, which causes fever. If the body is strong enough, after a  mild sweat the
invading pathogen will be discharged from the body.

During this process the pores are opened  heat  is allowed to escape. The  slight fever,
the nasal discharge and tearing eyes all work together  to expel the invading pathogen
from the body and bring the body back to health.
 
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture profoundly accelerates this process.

What can I do when I have a cold and how can I prevent further attacks?

As much as possible, prevent further weakening of the body through unnecessary use
of over the counter medicines and anti-biotics.

Take a  course  of Chinese  Medicine or Acupuncture treatment. For minor colds 1 or 2 treatments is in most cases enough. Chinese Herbs act against specific infections that
can accompany colds and  the aggravation of asthma  by colds. Personalized formulas
address combinations of symptoms that are specific to the individual.

For prevention, Chinese Herbs can be taken periodically during autumn and winter (1
dose a week or every 2 weeks) to  prevent colds. Acupuncture  can  also  be used to
tune up the body’s immune system once a month during the autumn & winter months.

Acupuncture can alleviate the symptoms of cold, flu and asthma such as cough, phlegm, headache  and body  aches and  so bring a quick recovery. It can also directly stimulate
the immune system thus strengthening the body.

You will find that if you do contract a cold or flu, in most cases, the symptoms are
usually less severe and more easily manageable.

During the  colder months it is important  to moderate  your lifestyle by getting to sleep
earlier  and  waking  later  when  possible. As the  environmental heat declines in colder
weather it becomes more important to engage in exercise to improve general circulation
and to alleviate strain and stress which impair immunity.

There is no need to sweat excessively, but some  mild exercise like  walking and weight
bearing exercise is best Eat warmer foods and abstain from excess consumption of cold
drinks as  this impedes  metabolic heat  within the body making one more vulnerable to
colds and flu’s.

Wear clothes that are appropriate to the weather and keep the neck area well covered
in windy conditions.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are available at Haberfield Naturopathic Centre
through our resident practitioner Brendan Meek, a highly qualified and experienced
practitioner with excellent  results. Come  in today  and enjoy the benefits of an
enhanced immune system. You will FEEL the difference!

Reference:

Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine by Prof. Xie Zhufan, Foreign Languages Press
2000 Japanese Herbal Medicine by Robert Rister, Avery Publishing Group, 1999