Allergies - Basics

An allergy is the body's immune system reacting to an outside substance or agent that is normally harmless to others. This reaction manifests in the form of coughing, wheezing and sneezing, and sometimes asthma. In extreme cases, an allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis, during which an individual can experience confusion, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath, among others. Types of allergic "triggers" include indoor and outdoor allergies (or seasonal allergies), eye allergies, latex allergies, food/drug allergies and insect allergies.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, allergies often involve the "Lung" system in Chinese Medicine terms.  For general information on what is meant by the "lungs" in Chinese Medicine, you can read "My Lungs Are What?".

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Allergies - Diagnostic Patterns

The Chinese Medicine treatment of allergies generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition (see treating the cause and not the symptoms).

The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of allergies:

Allergies - Acupuncture Protocols

The treatment of conditions with acupuncture can be a complicated endeavor that should only be undertaken by individuals with a deep understanding of the underlying Chinese Medicine theory (and/or whatever system being used for treatment). There are many approaches, but generally speaking few viable approaches are involved on a point to condition basis. Rather using proper diagnostic procedures the patients diagnostic pattern is ascertained and that is what is treated. The protocols listed here exemplify some of these clinical approaches.

The following acupuncture treatment protocols may be used with allergies:

• Acupuncture for Allergies - Treatment Protocols

Allergies - Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols

Tong Ren Therapy is the energy healing/medical qi gong aspect of the Tam Healing System. The areas of focus for allergies that we would use in Tong Ren techniques form the basis for our acupuncture treatments as well. Generally you would mix these primary points with points specific to the patients underlying TCM pattern and then our tuina (medical massage) would be largely focused on these points as well.

The following Tam healing and tong ren therapy protocols may be used with allergies:

• Tam Healing and Tong Ren Therapy for Allergies