Alpine Acupuncture 425-391-7777
April Newsletter
Happy Spring! Here come the pollens, tree saps, molds, flowers and allergies. Many people suffer from allergies and we all know the symptoms: itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and in some cases- asthma. As an acupuncturist these symptoms are easily explained with diagnoses such as wind-heat, wind cold, or dampness. That is the symptom picture. The underlying reason you have this symptom picture is often wei qi deficiency. But what does that mean and how can you combat it?
There are many theories as to why more and more people are developing allergies: environmental pollution, lack of omega-3 fatty acids in our diet, changes in food quality. We no longer live with nature, we have created an artificial world to live in so our bodies no longer adjust readily to the changes in the natural world and we react. In spring all the plants burst forth and our immune system, overwhelmed by the input, releases histamine.
Histamine causes reactions in our body that leads to the uncomfortable symptoms of allergies. But why? Allergies are a sign that something is off in our bodies. Our immune system is reacting in a way that it should not be reacting. Acupuncture can help balance your body so that it no longer over reacts to normal stimulus such as pollen, dust, and pet allergies. The protective aspect of the immune system is called wei qi in TCM. When a person gets a cold we say that wind has invaded- either wind cold or wind heat. Wei qi is our defense against the “wind”. Allergies are often seen as a wind heat invasion (with symptoms of itchy watery eyes). I would begin treating this wind invasion by asking, “what is going on in the body that allows the wind to invade?” “Why is the wei qi deficient?” I would then treat the root and the branch. The root is what is going on in the body and the branch is your allergy symptoms. Allergy treatment is done over a course of treatments beginning with acupuncture and graduating to Chinese herbs. I will see someone weekly for a couple weeks then give them one or two herbal supplements to aid the root and branch of allergy symptoms, treating both the wei qi and underlying pathology that is leading to wei qi deficiency. I may also ask you to eat healthier or avoid certain foods for a time.
Self Help or What You Can Do At Home:
The first and foremost allergy prevention is to make sure you are taking your fish oil (make sure it is a brand that eliminates heavy metals from the oil). Fish oil mediates inflammation and can calm down your allergic response. The next most important thing you can do for yourself is live a life of moderation. You should eat a variety of cooked foods in moderation, sleep enough but not too much and exercise regularly. But of course I say this every newsletter, as this advice is the core of good health. Also you should avoid alcohol as ‘Alcohol consumption can provide histamine, trigger its release, and prevent a histamine breakdown.’
If you are doing these things for your health and you are still having trouble with allergies come in and talk to me. We can work together on finding your constitutional solution.
I wanted to honor the recent visit of the Dali Lama with a verse.
“In explaining his greatest sources of inspiration, he often cites a favorite verse, found in the writings of the renowned eighth century Buddhist saint Shantideva:
For as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain,
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world.”
I have been sitting and pondering the meaning. Maybe you should too.
Quote from: http://www.tibet.com/DL/biography.html
I found the following information interesting when looking into histamine:
“Histamine is a hormone/chemical transmitter and important protein that is involved in local immune responses, regulates stomach acid production and acts as a mediator in allergic reactions.” This is the bad part we most often read about.
The purpose of Histamine
* Histamine is released as a neurotransmitter, necessary for our brain cells to “communicate” properly. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used to relay, amplify and modulate electrical signals between a neuron and other cell.
* Histamine is necessary to modulate sleep
* During an orgasm, histamine is released, and has been connected to the sex flush among women. However, men with high histamine levels may suffer from premature ejaculations.
Alcohol consumption can provide histamine, trigger its release, and prevent a histamine breakdown.”
http://www.healthmad.com/Conditions-and-Diseases/Allergies-and-Histamine.38749
For those of you who like the scientific stuff…
Research on Allergies:
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial
* B. Brinkhaus1,41Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen4Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany,
* J. Hummelsberger22International Society of Chinese Medicine (SMS), Munich,
* R. Kohnen33The IMEREM, Institute for Medical Research Management and Biometrics, Nuremberg,
* J. Seufert11Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
* C.-H. Hempen22International Society of Chinese Medicine (SMS), Munich,
* H. Leonhardy22International Society of Chinese Medicine (SMS), Munich,
* R. Nögel22International Society of Chinese Medicine (SMS), Munich,
* S. Joos11Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
* E. Hahn11Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
* D. Schuppan11Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen
*
1Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen; 2International Society of Chinese Medicine (SMS), Munich; 3The IMEREM, Institute for Medical Research Management and Biometrics, Nuremberg; 4Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
Background: Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) increasingly use complementary medicine. The aim of this study was to determine whether traditional Chinese therapy is efficacious in patients suffering from seasonal AR.
Methods: Fifty-two patients between the ages of 20 and 58 who had typical symptoms of seasonal AR were assigned randomly and in a blinded fashion to (i) an active treatment group which received a semi-standardized treatment of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and (ii) a control group which received acupuncture applied to non-acupuncture points in addition to a non-specific Chinese herbal formula. All patients received acupuncture treatment once per week and the respective Chinese herbal formula as a decoction three times daily for a total of 6 weeks. Assessments were performed before, during, and 1 week after treatment. The change in severity of hay fever symptoms was the primary outcome measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results: Compared with patients in the control group, patients in the active treatment group showed a significant after-treatment improvement on the VAS (P = 0.006) and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (P = 0.015). Improvement on the Global Assessment of Change Scale was noted in 85% of active treatment group participants vs 40% in the control group (P = 0.048). No differences between the two groups could be detected with the Allergic Rhinitis Symptom Questionnaire. Both treatments were well-tolerated.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that traditional Chinese therapy may be an efficacious and safe treatment option for patients with seasonal AR.
A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Childhood Persistent Allergic Rhinitis
Published online November 1, 2004
PEDIATRICS Vol. 114 No. 5 November 2004, pp. 1242-1247 (doi:10.1542/peds.2004-0744)
Daniel K. Ng, FRCP*, Pok-yu Chow, FHKCPaed*, Shun-pei Ming, BChinMed{ddagger}, Siu-hung Hong, BNursing{ddagger}, Sunny Lau, BSc§, Debbie Tse, BSc§, Wilson K. Kwong, FHKCPaed*, Mui-fong Wong, BChinMed{ddagger}, Wilfred H. Wong, MMedSc||, Yu-ming Fu, MRCPCH*, Ka-li Kwok, FHKAM(Paed)*, Handong Li, BChinMed{ddagger} and Jackson C. Ho, FRCP*
* Department of Paediatrics
{ddagger} Chinese Medicine Clinical Research and Service Centre
§ Department of Physiotherapy, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
|| Department of Paediatrics and Adolescents, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Objective. To compare active acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis among children.
Methods. Subjects with persistent allergic rhinitis were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic. They were randomized to receive either active acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Main outcome measures included daily rhinitis scores, symptom-free days, visual analog scale scores for immediate effects of acupuncture, daily relief medication scores, blood eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, nasal eosinophil counts, patients' and parents' preferences for treatment modalities, and adverse effects.
Results. Eighty-five patients were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic at Kwong Wah Hospital, in Hong Kong. Thirteen patients withdrew before randomization; 35 patients (mean age: 11.7 ± 3.2 years) were randomized to receive active acupuncture for 8 weeks, and 37 patients (mean age: 11 ± 3.8 years) were randomized to receive sham acupuncture for 8 weeks. Acupuncture was performed twice per week for both groups. Both the assessing pediatricians and the patients were blinded. There were significantly lower daily rhinitis scores and more symptom-free days for the group receiving active acupuncture, during both the treatment and follow-up periods. The visual analog scale scores for immediate improvement after acupuncture were also significantly better for the active acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in the following outcome measures between the active and sham acupuncture groups: daily relief medication scores, blood eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, and nasal eosinophil counts, except for the IgE levels before and 2 months after acupuncture in the sham acupuncture group. No severe adverse effects were encountered. Numbness, headache, and dizziness were found in both the active and sham acupuncture groups, with no difference in incidence, and the effects were self-limiting.
Conclusions. This study showed that active acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture in decreasing the symptom scores for persistent allergic rhinitis and increasing the symptom-free days. No serious adverse effect was identified. A large-scale study is required to confirm the safety of acupuncture for children.
Treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis by Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized placebo controlled trial.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Sep-Oct;9(5):80-7.Links
Xue CC, Thien FC, Zhang JJ, Da Costa C, Li CG.
RMIT Chinese Medicine Research Group, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora, Australia.
CONTEXT: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is widely used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), however, evidence of efficacy is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a Chinese herbal formulation for the treatment of SAR. DESIGN: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial. SETTING: RMIT Chinese Medicine Clinic. PATIENTS: 55 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (active 28, placebo 27). INTERVENTIONS: CHM extract capsule (containing 18 herbs) or placebo, given daily for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary measure of efficacy were changes in severity of nasal and non-nasal symptoms using a Five Point Scale (FPS) measured by both patients and the practitioner. The secondary measure was the change in score for the domains measured in the Rhinoconjunctivitis and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) assessed by patients. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients completed the study (active 24, placebo 25). After eight weeks, the severity of nasal symptoms and non-nasal symptoms were significantly less in the active treatment group than in the control group, both for measurements made by patients and those by the practitioner. Comparison of active and placebo treatment groups RQLQ scores also indicated significant beneficial effects of treatment (end point Section 1: P < 0.05; Section 2: P < 0.01). Intention-to-treat analyses of categorical items showed moderate to marked improvement rates were 60.7% and 29.6% for active and placebo respectively. Eleven patients reported mild adverse events including 1 withdrawn from the trial. CONCLUSIONS: This CHM formulation appears to offer symptomatic relief and improvement of quality of life for some patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
