When most people think of acupuncture, they think of it being a natural method for pain relief. If you suffer from allergies, you may be surprised to learn that studies show acupuncture can help that as well. Here's what you need to know.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is based on the belief that there are energy lines that run through the body called meridians, like the lines on a map. The belief is that disease, pain, and illness occur when this energy becomes unbalanced. To regain balance, thin needles are inserted at specific points along these lines. Modern medicine believes that there may be nerve interaction with acupuncture as well.

Why Choose Acupuncture?

East-Asian countries have been using acupuncture for thousands of years to treat everything from chronic pain to alleviating nausea. The biggest advantage of acupuncture is the ability to treat medical conditions without using drugs. Some people have extremely sensitive systems and have a difficult time taking medications. This is especially true with drugs that have a lot of side effects. In the case of allergy sufferers, it's not unusual for them to eventually become immune to antihistamines and other common medications normally used to treat rhinitis and hay fever. Additionally, people who struggle with addictions are typically not candidates for narcotic pain medications, and for those with chronic pain, long-term narcotic use is not wise. Acupuncture offers a safe alternative for managing pain and other conditions.

When Should You Get Acupuncture For Allergies?

Early spring is when allergies tend to be the worst. This is because pollen is in the air, trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and the grass and all other green things are growing. For people who are allergic to dust mites and pet dander, they can suffer problems all year long. Acupuncture practitioners recommend that seasonal allergy sufferers seek treatment in early spring before their allergies really kick into full gear. Acupuncture treatments that begin before there is a problem can better prevent one to begin with. Most people require several sessions to reach full relief if their allergies are raging. For those who suffer from year-round allergies, regular maintenance appointments throughout the year and when they are particularly bad are best.

Do Acupuncture Treatments Hurt?

The needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin. Many people don't even feel the needles being inserted. If they do, it is more a sense of pressure rather than pain. 

Contact a local clinic to learn more about acupuncture for allergies.