Seasonal Allergies

As many of us are able to attest to, our region of Texas is known as one of the worst areas for seasonal allergies. Austin wins the not-so-distinguished award as the 4th worst capitol in the country for fall allergies. Never mind winter allergies like the dreaded Cedar Fever, fast approaching!

Most of us buck up and brace ourselves for the inevitable coming season. Our eyes water just thinking of what’s in store for us in only a few months, sometimes wishing we could board up our homes and padlock our nasal passages. Then we ride out the season with limited artillery that carry with it side effects rivaling the allergy symptoms themselves.

In Chinese medicine the very best time to start treating for allergies is before they even happen! More specifically, the best time to treat is the season before the onslaught. The intention is to identify any imbalances in the general constitution of the patient and restore them back to balance so that their bodies are resilient, strong, and prepared to endure the deluge of their dreaded allergen when it inevitably becomes airborne.

Your Acupuncturist will most likely use Chinese herbs in addition to the acupuncture to fortify the body in preparation for the approaching season. Both the herbs and the acupuncture points used will change slightly once the actual season begins. The art of Chinese medicine is its ability to assess the process of a disease or condition and guide the body toward a preferred state of equilibrium. It is not the disease or disorder your practitioner is treating. It is your unique being that they are working with. The body has infinite capacity to heal itself and your acupuncturist is tapping into that river of knowledge, reminding your own body of what it already knows.

We are not immune from the processes of nature, regardless of how we are living our lives. The seasons affect us not only in weather or as witness to the passing of time, but also in matters of health. There are subtle patterns that we can be more prepared to deal with if we simply remember the past while using both foresight and preparation for the future.