Like many of you, I am happy and excited to see spring. Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, warm weather, longer days and blooming flowers. Unfortunately for many of us, it also brings seasonal allergies. It is estimated that 35 million Americans or 16% of the population suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). The onset of allergies does not only occur just in the spring, they can also flare up in the summer or fall. Typical symptoms include itchy watery eyes, sinus congestion, sneezing, headaches, fatigue and depression.
Traditional symptomatic treatments consist of antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. These products are effective for what they are designed to do – suppress the symptoms and the immune system. While this gives us temporary relief, in the long run this strategy is not effective as we need our immune systems to be strong to fight off environmental pathogens and to protect us from getting sick. Additionally, over-the- counter medications can cause uncomfortable or even severe side effects.
The good news is that acupuncture and Chinese herbs are a safe and effective treatment alternative. When treating people with allergies, I use a two-pronged approach. The first is to address the symptoms and get you feeling comfortable as quickly as possible. Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to this part as ‘treating the branch’. Then, once the acute phase is over, the next step is to treat the cause of the problem – referred to as the ‘root’ – by strengthening the body’s defenses. The best treatment approach involves beginning acupuncture and Chinese herbs before the symptoms start appearing. Prevention is, after all, the strongest medicine. The transition between seasons is also an excellent time to get an acupuncture tune-up to maintain good health.
To your vibrant living,
Sydney Cooley
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thurs April 14th, 6-8 PM
We’ll be holding a Meditation class, which will include instruction on the Emotional Freedom Technique. If you have wanted to learn how to meditate or would like to practice in a group setting, this is the class for you! Emotional Freedom Technique is a powerful way to decrease the hold that trauma and strong emotions can have on many of us. I will show you how to use it to bring more bliss and abundance into your life. $20 per person, space is limited. Please RSVP to 970-426-8736.