‘Tis the Season…for Allergies

Spring is springing forth in all its glory here in the Bay Area. This means tons of pollen wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers (though our recent rains are doing a good job of clearing the air of pollen…temporarily!).

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to mitigate the symptoms, whether or not you use allergy medications. Here are the 4 main strategies to help you suffer less:

Calm your system: Allergies are an overreaction; your body goes into hyper-drive in response to the perceived “threat” of the pollen. Everything you can do to calm your body will help reduce symptoms. This means focusing on the basics of good health: plenty of sleep and rest, avoiding inflammatory foods as best you can (sugar and alcohol fan the flames of inflammation), and soothing your nervous system through breathing exercises, meditation, or guided imagery - whatever works for you.

Cut down on incoming pollen: Wear your mask when gardening, doing errands etc. Keep your HEPA filter running 24/7. (Be sure to clean the pre-filters and replace the HEPA filter per the suggested schedule to insure optimal performance. Don’t have a HEPA filter? They can be game-changing for those with allergies and are well worth the expense.) Spend a day at the beach to give your body a break from the allergens. Less exposure means fewer symptoms.

Rinse your nose: Traditional Neti Pot, or more modern methods of nasal rinsing, help flush out allergens before they have time to activate the inflammatory histamine, and the saline is soothing your mucus membranes, which makes them less reactive, leading to fewer symptoms. Read up on a detailed review of ways to wash your nose that Kirsten Cowan, our Clinic Manager, wrote last year.

Get help: Acupuncture and herbs are hugely helpful in keeping allergy symptoms at bay. If you are not already on a regular acupuncture schedule, it’s best to start getting treatments before the worst of your allergy season if you can, but no worries if you are already in the thick of it. Make an appointment! We are here to help you enjoy life more.

Spring doesn’t have to be miserable,

Kirstin Lindquist
Owner, Licensed Acupuncturist