It's no secret that acupuncture has been effective in
treating allergies of many types, from allergic rhinitis to hay
fever. The appearance of allergies can be traced to one of two primary mechanisms. Either the body's
immune system is hyperactive, attacking particles and substances that
pose no substantial risk, or the immunity can be
weak, not responding to manageable levels of bacteria and viruses
when they attack.
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If your body's environment is hospitable,
the seeds of disease will grow. |
As an acupuncturist, I must emphasize that both the physical body
and the external environment have a significant bearing on your
body's immune response. Focusing on the “offending particles,” as
we often do in sterilization procedures and pasteurization for
example, creates a sterile environment in which the immune system
atrophies. Practical sanitation creates a positive atmosphere for the
immune system to flourish; hand-washing and cleaning surfaces with
soap revitalize this atmosphere. With a healthy immune system, only
rarely will you need to use harsh chemical disinfectants to purify
your environment.
Before Louis Pasteur died, he may have admitted that his life's work was short-sighted. (I'll paraphrase, but here's a good account of his
debates with Claude Bernard.) “I was focusing on the
seed,” he said, “when I should have been focusing on the
soil.” The “soil” of which he spoke is your body's immune
system. Pollens, molds, bacteria, and viruses can try all day to
break a healthy immune system, but they will fail every time.
Acupuncture greatly improves the activity of your immune system by
increasing your body's production of white blood cells,
immunoglobulins, prostaglandins, and antibodies.
- White blood cells identify the foreign particles in your body and
eliminate them. Your doctor will test your white blood cells to
evaluate your immune response at a given moment. White blood
cells are action-oriented, and they are prepared to neutralize
infections wherever they flow. Acupuncture increases the effectiveness of your white blood cells for a shorter recovery time.
- Antibodies make a note of these foreign
particles so that they can be recognized faster in the future. They
remind me of the expression, “Once bitten, twice shy.” Antibodies
are the reason you don't get chicken pox twice. Viruses like
influenza mutate and change frequently in an attempt to fool our
antibodies. With the proper disguise, they might delay the response
of the antibodies, and the body's “alarms,” typified in responses
such as fever, flooding of white blood cells, and other classics, may
occur after the virus had time to cause some damage.
- Important immunoglobulins are available through your mother's
placenta before you are born, and afterward you drink it in breast
milk. Immunoglobulins are the foundation of your immune system that
are passed down from previous generations through maternity. Acupuncture increases your access to immunoglobulins and releases them into your system.
- Prostaglandins mediate the contraction and relaxation of muscle tissues. When you get a cold and your body starts to hurt, your prostaglandin balance has been disrupted. It feels good to get acupuncture because it optimizes this balance, even when you're not feeling ill.
As a result of the immunity augmentation associated with
acupuncture, people who complete acupuncture treatment plans do not
get sick as often, have reduced allergic reactions, and enjoy fewer
complications related to a weak immune system.
