Prevention and treatment of seasonal allergy by acupuncture

massage and Cupping Xuefei WuM.D., Ph.D

Xuefei clinic in helsinki, Finlandwww.xuefei.fi

seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis )

symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, fatigue, sinus pressure and congestion, red itchy eyes, dry and scratchy throat and headache, stressful, depressive, poor appetite, sleepless, irritable,

when first exposed to an allergen, produces a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) When sensitized people subsequently encounter the allergen, the basophils (one kind of white cells ) and mast cells with IgE on their surface release substances (such as histamine, prostaglandins)

Allergic reaction

Treatment Nasal Symptoms: Antihistamines are usually used first, Sometimes a decongestant, is orally taken with the antihistamine corticosteroid nasal spray

Eye symptoms: Eye drops containing antihistamines and corticosteroid

Allergen Immunotherapy: When symptoms are severeWhen the allergen cannot be avoidedWhen the drugs usually used cannot control symptomsIf asthma develops

Western treatment of allergies treats only the symptoms and not the root cause, meanwhile, giving rise to many side effects

In Chinese medicine the strategy behind treatment is alleviating the acute symptoms as well as correcting the root energetic imbalance causing those symptoms. The symptoms of allergies are most often related to underlying disharmonies involving wei qi, or defensive energy, phlegm or dampness, and the lung, spleen, and kidney energy systemsConcept of “organ” is not confined to its anatomical structure,but more to do with all the functions ascribed to that organ by TCM

Viscera/organs theory( 脏 -inward property, 象 -outward presentation)

Zang-viscera Fu-viscera (solid,Yin) (hollow,Yang)

Lung Large intestine Heart Small intestine Liver Gallbladder Kidney Bladder Spleen Stomach Pericardium Triple warmer

TCM Lung Physiology• Governs Qi & Respiration Inhales “clear” Qi and Exhales “stale” Qi

Stagnation of Lung Qi leads to cough and asthma

• Dominates Ascending & DescendingDistributes defensive (wie) Qi and body fluid to entire bodyHelps maintain normal descending function, while receiving the ascending water vapor from the kidney

• Control the Body SurfaceDistributes body fluid to the tissues which in turn helps regulate skin moisture and sweatingProvides Wei Qi

• Opens in the Nose Lung is a canopy over the other organs and very delicate and vulnerable Easily affected by pathogens (wind, heat, cold or dryness)

Wei Qi and Lung Qi(Lung’s function):

In TCM, illness prevention begins with a protective layer around the exterior of the body called wei qi, or defensive energy. A strong and healthy wei qi is the body's initial protection against all external pathogens. If the defensive energy is weak, "wind pathogens“ will enter the body, so a combination of a wind-born pathogen and a deficiency of the protective wei qi is a recipe for illness.

People with wei qi deficiency catch colds easily, and allergy symptoms may be particularly bad in the spring or fall seasons which are generally windy. Patients with seasonal allergies, chronic cough and/or recurrent colds and flu are also likely to have Lung deficiency, since wei qi and immune function are part of the lung energy.

Lung qi controls the domain of skin, lungs, nose, sinuses, and respiratory passages.

TCM Spleen Physiology/function • Governs Transportation & Transformation Distribution, digestion & absorption of nutrients and water

• Controls Blood Keeps blood in vessels & prevents extravasation

• Dominates the Muscles Weakness, Muscle atrophy, Emaciation

• Opens in Mouth(lips and Gums) Chewing and appetite are related to Spleen function

Poor Spleen function, poor appetite

Spleen Qi:

Behind every weak immune system is a deficiency of the spleen qi, part of the digestive system. It is the job of the spleen to make healthy qi from food. If the spleen qi is weak, it is not able to efficiently digest food and make a healthy quality of energy to distribute to all systems of the body.

Spleen qi deficiency is usually accompanied by dampness; fluids fail to metabolize and often end up turning to excess phlegm and mucus.

Spleen Qi weakness/vacuity with Dampness is a common underlying condition with allergy symptoms

TCM Kidney Physiology• Stores Essence

Inherited Essence DNA from parentsAcquired Essence From food via the Spleen

• Governs WaterGate that regulates waterSeparates clear from turbid waterClear water is boiled to LungTurbid water is sent to Bladder

• Controls Reception of QiHolds down Qi received from the LungKidney deficiency leads to asthma

• Dominates the Bones & MarrowTeeth, Brain & Spinal Cord, Bone Marrow (Blood)

• Opens in the Ears Associated with hearing and deafness

• Controls the 2 Orifices Urination, defecation, reproduction

Kidney Qi:

Since kidney energy is the root of constitutional and all other energy systems in the body, it is usually related to imbalances involving deficiency. Especially when allergies, asthma, or frequent or chronic respiratory illness are problems since childhood, the kidney energy must be addressed.

It is also important to note that kidney energy is damaged by long-term medication use

Knowing that Chinese Medicine treats the entire person and not

just a condition, all of this information is crucial for finding an appropriate diagnosis. For symptoms of allergies these can be patterned, such as Lung Qi Deficiency, Kidney Qi Deficiency, Wind Cold, Wind Heat, etc.

The important part of these names is that they allow you to tailor a treatment to each person which is why acupuncture, properly applied, can be so effective for allergies.

Balance and harmony, Chinese perspective

Inside,outside,all around

Self massage for seasonal allergy

LI 20(Ying xiang, welcome fragrance)Location: On the Large intestine meridian

located on either side of your nose about 1/8 of an inch back from the tip (where your nose and your face meet).Uses: Any sinus issues

UB2 (Zan Zhu)Location: On the Bladder meridianlocated directly above the inner corner of the eye on the inside end of the eyebrow (you will feel a little notch in the bone thereand it will be quite sore).Uses: Sinus congestion, red, watery eyes...

LU 7(Lie Que), also known also Sweet point for quitting smoking

Location: On the Lung meridian located about 1.5 fingers width above your wrist crease, just after the styloid process of the radius. Generally found by sliding your finger from the thumb side of your wrist crease over the radio-styloid process and press where sore.

Use: cough, sore throat, cold symptoms(sneezing, running nose ), neck pain.....

LI 4Location: On the Large intestine meridianlocated in the middle of the web between your thumb and forefinger. Use: one of most commonly used acupoint all kinds of painheadaches, toothache, pain anywhere, cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, etc.

ST 36Location: On the Stomach meridianlocated on the anterior lateral side of the leg,3 cun below Dubi(ST35) ,one finger breadth (middle finger)from the anterior crest of the tibia. Use: one of the most important acupoint for wellbeing Tonify deficient Qi and/or Blood.Tonify Spleen and stomach qi.All issues involving the Stomach a/or the spleen. Enhanceing the function of immune system

KI 3 (Tai xi)Location: On the kidney meridians Located at the medial border of the foot, posterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and Achilles tendonUse: one of most important point for reinforcing Kidney qi(reproductive function) and immue systemDry and sore throat, tinnitus, dizziness, dyspnea, diabetes,irregular menstruation, lnsomnia, emission, impotence, lumbago.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

The best time to receive treatment for seasonal allergies is before they show up. 6-8 weeks before they typically start for you,helps boost the immune system and hence prevent symptoms However, if allergy symptoms are already bothering you, start treatment as soon as possible for best results.