by Cara Michele Nether
Allergies and Joint Pain are two signs of spring. Ninety percent of my clients come in from late February to May with either allergies or joint pain. Lucky for all of us, acupuncture has proven to be an excellent modality for both of these concerns.
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a learned response by the immune system when there is a big change in the body. Resulting symptoms could be itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion and sneezing, or asthma. Tree, grass and weed pollen are big in the spring, but airborne mold spores, dust, dust mites, and animal dander can be found almost year round. There are several acupuncture points and point combinations on the body and the ears that can significantly relieve the above mentioned symptoms and some can help immediately.
For example, a client stopped by my office this week and as soon as I saw her I could tell that her nasal passages were clogged and her eyes were watering. When I asked into her symptoms she told me that she had allergy issues. As we started our conversation I suggested that she rub a point on the top of her ear. About 10 minutes later she suddenly realized that her symptoms had changed. Her eyes were no longer watering and her breathing was easier. She couldn’t believe that this simple and easy treatment could help her so much.
After a long winter, spring can be tricky because our excitement to move around can override the fact that we haven’t given our bodies a chance to make a graceful switch from couch potato to roadrunner. These are real conversations from my office, “I know that I haven’t exercised since last October but I started the new Power X DVD program and now my shoulders hurt.” Or “I’m not really a yard person but I thought I would put down some new pavers in my backyard and now my back is killing me.”
Acupuncture is wonderful for the treatment of joint and back pain. For both of the examples mentioned the client’s pain was decreased after the first treatment by 50%. After the third treatment the pain was down to a 1 or 2 on a scale of 1-10 with ten being the worst.
If you have any questions about how acupuncture may help your spring related conditions please give me a call or send me an email.
In Partnership,
Cara Michele
443-527-8425 cm@womeninwellnessmd.com
