Seasonal Allergies

Allergy seasons have many suffering with a stuffy, runny, or congested nose, itchy and watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, sniffling, coughing and overall fatigue. If you are looking for non-pharmacological treatment options to help relieve your allergies without feeling drowsy, dizzy, or having impaired motor function, and dry mouth, we are here to help you explore alternatives to conventional allergy medications.

Seasonal allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the environment. When the immune system overreacts, it along with our nervous system releases histamines and other chemicals causing these allergy symptoms. Spinal misalignments and spinal joint stiffness along with irritated nerves around the spine can reduce neurological function, impede the effectiveness of our immune system, and cause an increase in allergy symptoms. Chiropractic care reduces the stress on the spine and nervous system which can help the nerves and as a result, the immune system, function more effectively.

You may already know which triggers from the environment make your symptoms worse, but you may also have a genetic predisposition to experiencing allergy-like symptoms. Therefore, a neurological exam by our functional medicine doctors will help them investigate what triggers and causes your symptoms in order to develop an individual treatment plan specific to your needs.

Physical exercise can get your blood pumping and enable you to move allergens through the bloodstream quickly. Stagnant allergens can settle in the sinuses and cause inflammation. Our physical therapists can do a sinus release to open those sinuses for better drainage which means less pressure in your face, less headaches, and an ability to breathe through your nose again. Learning exercises to strengthen your diaphragm muscles may also help you breathe better. Diaphragmatic breathing not only strengthens your diaphragm, but it is also a great stress reduction technique. Biofeedback therapy can be used to manage your rate and method of breathing and your body’s response to stress. Stress can wreak havoc on the immune system making your allergies even worse.

Learning ways to detox your body will also help to speed up the elimination of allergens through the kidneys and skin. The body has its own natural daily cleansing process to eliminate or filter out allergens and toxins through the use of the liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, intestines and skin. Certain food can help reduce allergy symptoms, by reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system. For example, ginger and turmeric are known to reduce inflammation, salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which can help us breathe easier and helps reduce inflammatory reactions, and pineapple is high in Vitamin C which helps to optimize your immune system, and contains an enzyme called bromelain which is an anti-inflammatory which can help with allergy symptoms. Supplements and probiotics may need to be added to compliment a healthy diet to further help support the immune system during allergy season. By having good nutrition and learning how to detox our homes for a healthy living environment thereby exposing ourselves to the least amount of environmental toxins, we will enable our body to do its detoxing job well!

Acupuncture is another non- pharmacological treatment option that complements and supports our treatments mentioned above by addressing the underlying imbalances within the body causing allergic reactions. Acupuncture supports the nervous and immune systems, can help decrease inflammation, and increases blood flow to help detoxify and eliminate allergens in the body. Click here to learn the benefits of acupuncture for allergies.

If you are seeking to alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms, the physicians at Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation can develop a treatment plan utilizing the many drug free options to help you manage your symptoms.

Seasonal Allergies
By Dr. Vince Sferra