If the warmer days and more frequent sunshine weren’t enough to tell you spring is on its way, the tickle in your throat and itchy watery eyes probably are. This spring, rather than running to your local pharmacy for over-the-counter or prescription allergy relief, consider naturopathic allergy relief options. These treatments balance bodies response to allergies naturally avoiding the negative side effects of medications.
The goal of naturopathic doctors is to identify the cause of your allergies, and tap into your body’s inherent mechanisms to be in balance.
An allergic reaction is your body’s attempt to combat a foreign invader. When something foreign comes in contact with your body, be it pollen or dust particles, foods you are sensitive to, or pet dander, your body will try to isolate and eliminate the offending entity. The first step in the process is that the allergen is recognized as a foreign invader. When this happens it triggers immune cells to isolate the substance. These cells produce and release histamine, which triggers inflammation in the affected areas. Once tissues are inflamed, the capillaries allow more white blood cells to enter the affected area(s) in an effort to remove/deactivate the foreign objects. Unfortunately, your body can begin to go into overdrive, continuing the immune response longer than necessary. This is particularly pronounced in those that are very sensitive to specific molecules. The heightened sensitivity increases the immune response and therefore the symptoms too.
Most traditional allergy medicines don't address the underlying over-active immune system underlying your allergies. Rather they treat the result of the over-active immune system. For instance, antihistamine medications, block the histamine from causing symptoms of allergies. The histamine is still floating around in your body and so are other immune chemical messengers. Decongestant medications, open the airways to help you breath better but do nothing to address the over-stimulated immune system.
So what is the cause of the overactive immune system?
The underlying cause is increased sensitivity which has many causes. However, when you reduce the immune system over-active state, the symptomatic treatments are not needed or are less necessary. Let's look at some of these causes.
Wouldn’t it be nice to work with your body’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing it to process allergens as it should, without needing to rely on a pill.
Naturopathic doctors use natural allergy relief treatments to keep your body healthy and balanced throughout allergy season which include:
Acupuncture for Allergy Relief
Acupuncture has been used to balance the immune system for thousands of years. Recent studies have concluded that acupuncture for allergies is a safe and incredibly effective treatment for those who suffer from rhinitis, which is the irritating, itchy, stuffy and/or runny nose that often accompanies allergic reactions. In addition to balancing the immune system response, acupuncture for allergies also releases endorphins, often called “feel good hormones”, that reduce pain and increase sensations of pleasure - definitely a positive benefit of acupuncture for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Contact a Phoenix Naturopathic Doctor and Live Again!
Instead of saying indoors, tissues in hand, dreading the onset of spring, take a look at some of the other factors that may be influencing your allergies. For a customized naturopathic allergy relief plan contact Southwest Integrative Medicine. We go beyond the superficial layer and help you find real solutions to your health problems.