Use of Acupuncture For Allergies
some proponents of acupuncture say that the China-based needle therapy may help treat hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Although scientists have yet to confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture for relief of allergy, several studies have shown that acupuncture may be beneficial for people with allergies.
In people with seasonal allergies, the immune system produces an overreaction to normally harmless substances like pollen from plants. Acupuncture, which involves inserting fine needles into specific body points, is to regulate the immune response to allergens. By stimulating these points, the acupuncturist unblocks the flow of vital energy in the body and restores balance to the immune system and the entire body.
Does acupuncture really works for allergies?
In a report published in 2009, scientists reviewed 12 trials and found that acupuncture has not demonstrated superiority over placebo in the treatment of seasonal allergies. In a review published last year, investigators found “sufficient evidence to support or refute the use of acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis.”
However, in a clinical trial of 2008 on 5,237 patients with allergies, in which a subset of the patients received up to 15 acupuncture sessions over a period of three months, researchers found that acupuncture treatment offered consistent profits. Another study, published in 2009, showed that the addition of acupuncture to standard treatment can be beneficial and profitable for people with allergies.
Given the conflicting conclusions about the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for allergies, it is too early to recommend this therapy as a first line of defense for allergy. Although acupuncture is generally considered safe, may cause dizziness, local internal bleeding, dermatitis, nerve damage, and / or increased pain (especially when the acupuncturist is not well formed). If you are considering the use of acupuncture for relief of allergies, talk to your doctor about whether treatment is right for you.