Canberra has one of the highest allergy indexes in Australia affecting 1 in 3 people. Hay fever season runs most of the year due to the combination of both native and introduced plant species, dust and the vast grasslands that surround the ACT.
What are some of the symptoms?
Waking tired or heavy headed
Runny, stuffy/blocked/or itchy nose
Sneezing
Itchy, watery or dry eyes
Dry shallow cough
Dry and/or itchy throat
Mouth breathing
Feeling like you have a cold that won’t go away
Feeling like you need to clear your throat/post-nasal drip
Frontal headaches/facial pain
In Chinese medicine, hay fever and chronic sinus are mainly related to imbalance between the Lung, Spleen and Liver where when weakened, so is the immune system and phlegm and agitation in the body can result.
The Lung and Spleen are the main immune system organs in TCM. If the Spleen becomes weakened damp or phlegm can form. The nose and throat are the orifice of the Lung and where the phlegm tends to accumulate. The Liver is where all the ‘processing’ happens. When the Liver becomes overloaded and then - inundated with external environmental factors - it can in turn, lead to a low tolerance (hypersensitivity) to them, resulting in the energy of the Liver stagnating or festering into heat (allergic reaction).
What do we do? By assessing your underlying cause, we will treat you with acupuncture, herbal therapy and sometimes Chinese cupping to aid in boosting your immune system, clearing your agitated Liver and dry accumulated phlegm. By doing so the mucous membranes can heal, helping to break the vicious cycle and allow your body to regain resilience to the natural environmental factors.
How many treatments do you need? A course of approximately 7-10 weekly sessions. You may or may not require monthly maintenance. Typically, a mini yearly refresher ‘pre hay fever’ season course is recommended.
Where are the needles placed? Needles typically will be placed in the face over the sinuses, in the scalp, hands/ arms and legs.
How long until you notice improvement? Often, improvement is noted in just a few sessions.
What can you do?
Eat well; organic or preservative free as best possible to allow your Liver a break. Cook from scratch, avoid processed foods. Increase antioxidant rich foods and don’t overcook your veggies!
Avoid sugar, too much dairy, cold food & drinks in cold weather as this can strain the Spleen leading to damp-phlegm accumulation.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Steer clear of synthetic perfumes and lotions as even topical chemicals have to be processed via the Liver
Avoid too much nonprescription medications such as (Panadol and ibuprofen) as these are hard on the liver.
Avoid excessive use of chemical nasal sprays
Express yourself. Repression of emotion puts extra strain on the Liver
Don’t go outside in the cold with wet hair
Stay out of the wind
To make a booking, visit our online system here, or read more about Dr Margie Virgo.