|
Fall is a wonderful time of year with the colorful leaves and brisk, cool air. But with the changes in weather quickly come watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. Do you find yourself stocking up on Zyrtec or Claritin just to try and make it to the first freeze, or at least through the day? This may be a sign you have seasonal allergies. You and over 30 million other Americans suffer from this condition. Unfortunately for us Texans, we rank as one of the worst states for seasonal allergy. Because the common cold also lurks around this time of year, symptoms can be synonymous and difficult to decipher from each other. If you are tired of feeling groggy from your antihistamine and are searching for alternative methods, continue reading. What Are Allergies? Although weather changes are a big factor for seasonal allergy sufferers, certain individuals may also be triggered throughout the year from dust, mold, pet dander, or other environmental factors. Do your sinuses flare up after being outside, around pets, or in dusty areas? Allergies are considered an immune system disorder. When your sinuses flare up, it’s your body’s way of alerting you something harmful has entered and needs to be flushed out immediately. That’s why you may notice: • Sneezing • Itchy or watery eyes • Runny nose • Congestion • Headaches or migraines • Excess mucus • Increased asthmatic attacks Fatigue is another pesky side effect allergy sufferers deal with. This may be in part to lack of sleep as a result of your sinuses preventing you from breathing clearly. But chemicals naturally released into the body during an allergic reaction to ward off the attack have also been linked to fatigue. How Can Holistic Treatment Methods Help? While many treatment methods place a bandage over the symptoms, chiropractors believe addressing the root of the issue is the key to getting a handle on your allergies. During the initial consultation, he or she will evaluate your symptoms, lifestyle, living situation, and workplace environment. You never know what may be hiding in your walls, ceilings, attics, and basements. To receive the most effective treatment, be up front and honest so the chiropractor can make an educated and well-rounded decision about your treatment plan. What is Chiropractic Care? Chiropractic care is a form of treatment used to correct vertebral subluxations in the spine. The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that house the spinal cord and central nervous system. The central nervous system is responsible for sending messages to the brain and other organs in the body, as well as to the immune system. If vertebrae move out of position and become misaligned, it is possible for communication interference to follow and result in a malfunctioning immune system. By readjusting the vertebrae with gentle subluxations, the spine can maintain it’s proper alignment, ensuring the central nervous system functions at maximum capacity. A properly aligned spine not only minimizes neck and back pain, but reduces the risk for allergy symptoms and other sicknesses. Different chiropractors use different methods, but some of the more common include the Diversified method, Activator method, and Gonstead method so adjustments to the neck and back can be made both manually and mechanically. Can Acupuncture Really Help? Based in ancient traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture made its entry into Western medicine in the late 1970s and has continued to gain recognition for its effectiveness. This holistic approach improves the body’s natural ability to heal. Within the body are energy flow patterns essential for good physical health. When energy is disrupted, it can result in inflammation, disease, and discomfort. The skin has multiple acupuncture points. The theory behind acupuncture is these points can be stimulated to correct energy flow within the musculoskeletal system. To do this, small, sterilized needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points on the skin’s surface. The number and location of needles will depend on the patient’s symptoms. Repeat treatments are often recommended to produce the most effective results. Patients who combine chiropractic care with acupuncture have seen an improvement in allergies. It is important to note that we are not directly treating the allergies with acupuncture. Our approach with acupuncture is to treat dysfunction in very specific points within your musculoskeletal tissues. Treating theses dysfunctional points has shown to have a wide range of health benefits, including diminishing or eliminating allergy symptoms. Dr. Cody Doyle has over 20 years of experience in chiropractic care and continues to devote his career to researching and exploring alternative medicine and modalities for his patients. He proudly serves the residents of Roanoke, Argyle, Southlake, and surrounding cities. Visit http://doylechiro.com today for more information on treating allergies holistically.
Related Articles -
allergies,
|
