Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating allergies successfully for decades, not by treating the symptoms, but by targeting the cause of the allergy itself.
"Allergies are overreactions of the immune system to things in the environment, such as dust, pollen, animal dander and foods. When an allergic person's immune system is triggered by an allergen, it causes some degree of inflammation", says Angela Fu, Clinic Director at the Total Wellness Centre, one of Toronto's top traditional Chinese medicine clinics.
In Chinese medicine, acupuncture is often used to treat allergies. The way acupuncture works to control allergies isn't exactly known. However, instead of introducing chemicals such as an antihistamine to control an allergic reaction, acupuncture works with the person's internal pharmacy.
The needles used in acupuncture for allergies are almost like switches in the energy circuits of the body. Imagine the body as the computer and the energy system as the software program. In other words, the body can be "re-programmed" so it does not react to pollen or dog dander or peanuts as if they were harmful substances.
In the case of allergies, this benefit is that patients begin to see results from acupuncture and herb treatments almost immediately. Preventative treatments can last up to several months, depending how weak a person's immune system is.
Eventually, the patient will notice improvements not only in the allergies being treated, but most often an overall improvement in their general well being.
