Allergies Through a Different Lens

How Acupuncture Approaches Seasonal Allergies

If you struggle with seasonal allergies, you’re not alone.

Every year, as things start blooming here in the Pacific Northwest, we see the same pattern, sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, sinus pressure, and that overall foggy, run-down feeling.

Most people are used to thinking about allergies in one way:

You have allergies → you take something to suppress the symptoms.

And while that can absolutely help in the short term, acupuncture looks at allergies from a different perspective.

One Diagnosis vs. Many Patterns

In Western medicine, allergies are generally viewed as an immune system overreaction, often treated with antihistamines, decongestants, or steroids to reduce symptoms.

In Chinese medicine, we still recognize the immune response… but we ask a different question:

Why is your body reacting this way in the first place?

Instead of one diagnosis, acupuncture recognizes many different patterns that can all show up as “allergies.”

For example:

• Some people have clear, watery discharge and frequent sneezing
• Others feel more congested and heavy, with sinus pressure
• Some feel hot and inflamed with red, itchy eyes
• Others feel tired, run down, and get sick easily along with their allergies

From a Chinese medicine perspective, these are not the same condition, even though they might all be labeled “allergies.”

That’s why two people with “the same allergies” may receive completely different treatments.

Treating the Root, Not Just the Symptoms

The goal with acupuncture isn’t just to quiet symptoms (although it often helps with that fairly quickly).

It’s to:

• Regulate the immune response
• Strengthen the body’s overall resilience
• Reduce the frequency and intensity of flare-ups
• Address the underlying pattern causing the reaction

In many cases, patients notice that over time their allergies become less intense, shorter in duration, or easier to manage.

What Treatment Might Look Like

Treatment is always individualized, but it may include:

• Acupuncture to regulate immune function and reduce inflammation
• Support for the lungs and sinuses
• Strengthening digestion and energy (which play a big role in immunity in Chinese medicine)
• Seasonal support before allergy season even begins

A big part of success is timing, starting care before peak allergy season can make a noticeable difference.

Simple Things You Can Do at Home

There are also a few supportive things you can do at home to help your body during allergy season.

Nettle Tea (A Local Favorite)

Stinging nettle grows abundantly here in the PNW and has long been used to support allergy symptoms.

Nettle tea may help:

• Reduce histamine response
• Support the immune system
• Provide minerals that support overall health

You can drink 1–2 cups daily during allergy season.

Nasal Rinsing (Neti Pot or Saline Rinse)

Helps physically clear pollen and irritants from the nasal passages.

Especially helpful after being outdoors.

Keep It Simple at Home

• Change clothes after spending time outside
• Rinse off before bed during peak pollen days
• Keep windows closed during high pollen times

Small habits can make a big difference.

A Simple Acupressure Point for Allergies

Large Intestine 20 (LI-20)

Located just beside each nostril.

How to use it:

• Gently press and massage the area on both sides of your nose
• Use circular pressure for 30–60 seconds
• Repeat 1–2 times per day, especially when congested

This point can help open the nasal passages and reduce sinus pressure.

A Different Way to Think About Allergies

One of the most helpful shifts is this:

Allergies aren’t just something to “fight.”

They’re something your body is trying to process.

Acupuncture works by helping your body respond more appropriately, not overreact, not underperform, but regulate.

Final Thoughts

If your allergies feel predictable every year, that’s actually helpful.

It means we have an opportunity to prepare your body ahead of time, not just react once symptoms start.

If you’re curious about a more personalized approach to allergy care, we’re always happy to talk through what that could look like for you.

Because no two people experience allergies the same way, and your care shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all either.

*The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any new treatment, therapy, or exercise program.