 As winter winds down and the warm spring air arrives, many of us look forward to the change in season. But for some, this shift also signals the return of hay fever and allergies. Allergic rhinitis — commonly known as hay fever — affects nearly 1 in 5 Australians. It can be seasonal, triggered by pollens, grasses, and weeds, or persistent, caused by dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. Typical symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, and disturbed sleep, which can lead to snoring, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. For many, hay fever significantly impacts daily life.
Conventional treatments usually involve avoiding triggers, taking antihistamines or nasal sprays, and sometimes immunotherapy. However, these approaches don’t always work for everyone, and some people experience unwanted side effects. This is where acupuncture offers a natural, well-studied alternative. HOW ACUPUNCTURE HELPS HAY FEVER Acupuncture works by modulating the immune system, calming the allergic inflammatory response, and improving tolerance to allergens — thereby reducing symptoms. Unlike some complementary therapies, acupuncture for allergic rhinitis has been widely researched. The Acupuncture Evidence Project — a major review of clinical studies — found that in some cases acupuncture was even more effective than medication, with benefits lasting up to three months after a course of treatment. Further recognition comes from international guidelines: the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery includes acupuncture as a recommended treatment option for hay fever, particularly for those seeking non-pharmacological approaches. Image source: https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org ACUPUNCTURE RESEARCH The earlier mentioned Acupuncture Evidence Project was published in 2016, was recently updated and published in a new report called: ‘The state of evidence in acupuncture: A review of metaanalyses and systematic reviews of acupuncture evidence (update 2017-2022)’. The intent of the report is to inform the public, researchers, health departments, and other health providers that acupuncture has a valuable contribution to make to global healthcare and to assist in reducing the global burden of disease. The review confirms evidence of acupuncture’s positive effect for the following conditions:
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With the cooler weather upon us, joints can often feel stiff and old aches and pains can resurface or become exacerbated. According to the Arthritis Foundation, frigid temperatures can heighten pain sensitivity, slow blood circulation and cause muscle spasms. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain, inflammation and stiffness, and reduced range of motion - often negatively impacting quality of life by reducing mobility and getting in the way of a good night’s sleep.
Staying warm and keeping up with exercise are great ways to help support your joints in winter, but sometimes more is needed. Many doctors strive to avoid prescribing medication, particularly opioids, for chronic pain - instead many are recommending acupuncture as an alternative to drugs. Acupuncture is in fact one of the treatments recommended for knee pain from osteoarthritis by the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation. Acupuncture increases blood flow and reduces inflammation, which in turn reduces pain, increases mobility, and helps damaged tissue recover - allowing people to get back to their lives and the activities they enjoy. TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA Trigeminal neuralgia is another condition that often flares up as temperatures start to dip down. Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition that affects the trigeminal facial nerve which starts near the top of the ear and splits into three branches - toward the eye, cheek, and jaw - and tends to only affect one side. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is often described as stabbing, burning, and excruciatingly painful - some describe the pain like a sudden electric shock. Trigeminal neuralgia tends to affect women more than men, and those over 50 years old. It is most commonly the result of pressure on the nerve, but could also be due to damage to the protective outer layer of the nerve, called the myelin sheath. The condition often appears spontaneously but can also be the result of trauma, such as following a dental procedure. The pain can be triggered by simple things such as change in temperature, wind blowing against the face, brushing teeth, eating, and drinking. ACUPUNCTURE FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA The conventional treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is pain medication - or in some cases, surgery. Acupuncture, however, is commonly used for treatment particularly by those that are unable to tolerate the side effects from medication or those wanting to avoid surgical procedures. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in not only relieving the pain by reducing any pressure or inflammation that may be impacting the nerve, but also helps to repair and regenerate damaged nerve tissue by increasing local blood circulation. Sufferers of trigeminal neuralgia will be relieved to know that no acupuncture needles are placed on the face during treatment! In the majority of cases involving nerve dysfunction, our clinic steers clear of the affected region so as to avoid aggravating an already sensitive area. Instead, we place needles in other areas of the body, including the hands, legs, and feet, making use of the body’s internal wiring to treat the face. When the acupuncture needles are placed on the body, a signal is sent along the spinal cord to the brain which triggers a release of endogenous opioid endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, and increases blood flow to the affected area to promote healing. Acupuncture also decreases inflammation. With reduced pain sensations and inflammation, trigeminal neuralgia pain eases and the nerve begins to repair. Most of our clients feel a positive change within the first few treatments, depending on the severity of the condition and how long they’ve had it. We’ve had clients who have suffered with trigeminal neuralgia pain for long periods of time - over a year - become happily pain free after a few courses of treatment. |
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