Allergies

The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause an immune response.

Here in Central Texas, the most common allergies are to cedar pollen (so-called "cedar fever") and to mold spores generated during the typically humid summer months, although other types of allergies are not unknown, and many people who have never suffered from allergies become sensitized by exposure to the allergens most common here.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory holds that the human body is protected by a type of Qi (called wei qi) that assists in preventing harmful influences and pathogens from attacking. Under normal circumstances, this wei qi functions properly, and a person enjoys good health and protection from most types of illnesses. In this way, wei qi corresponds to Western medicine's immune system.

Using a combination of acupuncture and herbal formulas prepared according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, our acupuncturists can help you get through the allergy season with few, if any, side-effects or complications.

Many patients report remarkable results after only a few treatments or a few days' use of their formulas, although best results are obtained with regular follow-up visits, to adjust the formula to the patient's ongoing and ever-changing condition.

There may be no cure for allergies, but acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide real and lasting relief from the symptoms, and, in a few cases, our patients have reported that they no longer suffer from allergies at all following their full course of treatment.

No two cases are alike, however, and you are encouraged to work closely with our acupuncturists to find the best combination of acupuncture and herbal formulas to help you.