2023-04-23 09:31:00
Allergic rhinitis is a very common phenomenon. Between 10% and 30% of the world’s population suffers from the phenomenon at one level or another and there are countries where the reported frequency of the phenomenon reaches a rate of over 50%. Allergic rhinitis can affect people of any age, but it is most common in children. The phenomenon can be seasonal and be affected mainly by pollinators, and it can also be persistent when the triggers include animal hair and dust mites.
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Attacks of allergic rhinitis are characterized by sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy nose and blocked nose leading to sleep disturbance, fatigue and poor concentration. Those who suffer from this phenomenon may also suffer from other allergic conditions such as asthma and skin rashes. All of these can have significant negative effects on quality of life and work performance, leading to billions of dollars in productivity losses annually.
Already more than 2,000 years ago, classical Chinese medicine described a close connection between the nose, lungs and skin. This observation is consistent with a biomedical observation because the nose, lungs, and skin are lined with some form of epithelial tissue.
According to the most updated articles, acupuncture is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis. Additional studies demonstrate that acupuncture is safer than the drugs commonly used today and may even be more economical. In 2017, a review was published as part of a research-based acupuncture project in collaboration with Dr. John McDonald and Dr. Stephen Yantz. In addition to proving the effectiveness of Chinese acupuncture, clinical guidelines and the safety of the treatment have also been published.
Beyond these reviews, another 12 controlled clinical trials were found which demonstrated the need for between 12-30 treatments at a frequency of 2-5 sessions per week. In all these studies the real acupuncture had a much higher efficacy than the sham acupuncture and even higher efficacy than the drugs. It also appears from these cases that the symptoms continue to improve up to three months after the treatment. The symptoms in which the greatest improvement was shown are – sneezing, itchy nose, itchy eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose and disturbed sleep.
Studies that also measured immune system functions reported a significant decrease in inflammatory mediators including substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), interleukin 4 and dust mite specific IgE.
How It Works?
Acupuncture reduces the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and improves people’s tolerance to allergen exposure through several mechanisms. When people suffer from nasal allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies harmless substances as a threat (allergen), and produces immunoglobulins called IgEs against each perceived allergen.
These IgEs are anchored to mast cells, in a process known as “priming”. When alert mast cells (cells that are part of the immune system) encounter an allergen (such as pollen) they react by releasing a cocktail of substances that cause inflammation of the nasal mucosa. In one moment the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed and nerves within the nasal mucosa release inflammatory neuropeptides. These neuropeptides increase inflammation that produces itching, sneezing, runny nose and stuffy nose. The irritated and sensitive nose will react as a result to a series of irritants (besides allergens) such as perfume, smoke, changes in temperature or changes in humidity. Two central receptors in the nose constitute the main symptom stimulus. The histamine receptor (to which a significant part of the conventional drugs are aimed) and the other receptor is called TRPV1 which is the main receptor involved in the symptoms of nasal itching, runny nose and sneezing.
Acupuncture has been shown to contribute to reducing IgE levels and TRPV1 activation by desensitizing other receptors. In addition, acupuncture prevents the activation of the histamine receptor.
It is important to note that while acupuncture has been found to be an effective and safe treatment for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, acupuncture is a personalized mechanism and each patient must be taken individually and the treatment adapted to him. A skilled and responsible therapist will perform a diagnosis and condition assessment and only then will he perform the treatment. The frequency of the treatment can also vary depending on the condition and in the context of the aforementioned allergies ranging from a rate of 5 treatments per week to once per week treatment (with the most common treatment being twice per week) and even less after achieving significant relief.
We will also note that in this column we have reviewed only the research-backed acupuncture work and not the entire breadth of Chinese medicine, which also includes the extensive use of herbs, tweena, shiatsu, nutrition, breathing and movement.
Due to the lack of regulation in the State of Israel with regard to Chinese medicine therapists, we recommend that the patient examine the certification certificates of the therapist himself and make sure that the person who is going to perform treatment has studied at least 4 years of Chinese medicine at a school recognized by the professional association.
Adi Fromm is the director of the School of Chinese Medicine at Reedman College
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