You're alergic? This is what Chinese Medicine says about you
YOU'RE ALERGIC? THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU, CHINESE MEDICINE
YOU'RE ALERGIC? THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU, CHINESE MEDICINE
By Acupuncture Wu Wei Posted March 30, 2018
SPRING CAME AND WITH IT THE SEASON OF ALLERGIES
According to the World Allergy Organization, it is estimated that between 30 and 40% of the population is affected by one or more allergies and it is expected that this percentage will continue to increase as the temperature and air pollution increase. This is not an encouraging outlook, luckily the allergy can be successfully treated with acupuncture.
Allergy
it is an overreaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance. It is a chronic disease that worsens in contact with the allergen. According to the systems it affects, the most common allergies can be classified into:
Respiratory alergy:
Rhinitis, asthma, allergy to pollen, dust mites, pet hair… Symptoms can be mild, such as itchy nose, runny nose, sneezing. Or more serious such as bronchospasm and wheezing typical of asthma. It can also affect the eyes: conjunctivitis, redness, tearing, itchy eyes. Note: If you have a pollen allergy and you live in Catalonia, you may be interested in consulting the aerobiological information website.
Skin allergies:
Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria, eczema. The most common symptoms are itching, redness of the skin, spots or lesions. It can happen by contact with latex, plants, metals, detergents, cosmetics, adhesives. Or come out as a reaction to a food allergy. Also from insect bites, which can lead to anaphylactic shock.
Food allergies:
To nuts, shellfish, barley, eggs, milk ... In Western medicine they distinguish allergies from food intolerances in that the immune system does not intervene in intolerances. Symptoms that can trigger a food allergy are: hoarse voice, wheezing, itching and swelling in the face, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, vomiting, fainting and in severe case anaphylaxis.
ACUPUNCTURE AND ALLERGY
Traditional Chinese medicine considers allergy as a manifestation that the body fails to adapt to the environment. It is an inappropriate response to an external attack. Let's see which are the main meridians and organs involved in allergy that could be in energy imbalance.
Lung
Lung is the organ that is in contact with the surface of the body. It receives the air we breathe and with it, respiratory allergens. The main function of the lungs is respiration, but it has more energy functions. The Lung governs the Qi and is responsible for the circulation of the Wei Qi, the defensive energy that circulates on the surface of the body. The lung meridian opens to the nose and communicates with the skin, regulating the opening and closing of the pores. Many of the symptoms, such as rhinitis, mucus, choking, skin rashes, are expressions of the energy imbalance of the Lung.
Liver
The Liver is wood, a movement of expansion. Liver Qi generates the internal wind that is important for the free flow of blood, energy and body fluids. When Qi is deficient, it stagnates and blocks circulation. When there is excess Yang, symptoms of excessive wind may appear: acute and erratic symptoms on the skin and in the respiratory tract: itching, eczema, asthma, rhinitis. The Liver meridian also communicates with the eyes, so that conjunctivitis, lacrimation may appear.
Spleen
In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen has the function of transforming the food we eat into energy, blood and body fluids. When it does not perform its transformation function well, moisture is generated: mucus, edema in the legs, a feeling of heaviness, fatigue. The Spleen also has two important relationships at the energy level with the Lung. The two are part of the same meridian or energy layer, Tai Yin. Spleen, in addition, is the Earth element, which is the mother of the Metal element, to which the Lung belongs.
Large intestine
The Large Intestine belongs to metal, like the Lung meridian. It is its most Yang, most superficial aspect. It is also called the great eliminator.
Kidney
The Kidney is closely related to the Lung. On the one hand, the Kidney helps the Lung to receive respiratory Qi and metabolize fluids, along with the Spleen. On the other hand, the Lung, Metal element, is the mother of Kidney, it gives it energy. The weakness of one of the two affects the function of the other.
WHY ARE THERE MORE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS IN SPRING?
Spring is a period of energy expansion, which follows winter, movement of stillness and reserve. It is a growth of Yang. The weather goes from cold to windy, the days get longer and there are sudden changes in the weather as winter refuses to leave. We get more active, the days get longer and we spend more time away from home. It is a big change, which puts more stress on us if our coping mechanisms are weakened. The symptoms of allergy are Yang: rapid onset, on the upper part of the body (eyes, nose) or on the surface (skin).
HOW DO WE TREAT IT?
At Wu Wei Acupuncture we have successfully solved many allergy cases with acupuncture. We focus the treatment on rebalancing the person energetically so that their defensive energy acts appropriately against allergens, ceasing to present allergic reactions.
Testimony of a patient:
Xavier, 31 years old
Since I was little I have been allergic to cats. That allergy in which when you enter a house with a cat you start to sneeze, cry, turn red ... I had no idea that acupuncture could treat this and I decided to try. In six sessions my allergy has disappeared. Now whenever I see a cat I brush it across my face to see if it really works!
I am very grateful
Remember that our treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine does not replace in any case the treatment of your doctor
If you have allergies and are interested in trying Traditional Chinese Medicine, we invite you to contact us for a visit in our center
If you want to learn how we do it, find out about our training courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Master of Advanced Acupuncture.
Article written by: Laura Pavón, collaborator of Acupuncture Wu Wei
Allergens, Allergy, Allergic, Spring, Lung
