Allergies & Chronic Sinusitis
Acupuncture for Allergies & Sinusitis in North Vancouver
A runny or blocked nose, sneezing, facial pressure and post-nasal drip can wear you down, especially when they return every season or never quite clear. AcuLife Wellness offers acupuncture as complementary support for allergies (hay fever) and chronic sinusitis, alongside care from your physician.
Overview
Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, happens when the lining of the nose reacts to something you breathe in, such as pollen, dust mites, mould or pet dander, and becomes inflamed and swollen. In the Lower Mainland, tree and grass pollen often bring symptoms from late winter into summer, while indoor allergies can last all year.
Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses. When it lasts 12 weeks or longer it's called chronic sinusitis, which can bring a blocked nose, thick discoloured mucus, drainage down the back of the throat, pressure around the eyes, cheeks or forehead, and a reduced sense of smell. A physician's assessment comes first, and at AcuLife Wellness we start by learning about your symptoms, triggers and the treatment you're using before recommending an approach.
Common Symptoms & Experiences
- Sneezing, an itchy or runny nose, and watery, itchy eyes
- A blocked nose that makes breathing through your nose difficult
- Thick, discoloured mucus or drainage down the back of the throat
- Pressure or tenderness around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
- A reduced sense of smell or taste, and poor sleep from congestion
How Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine May Be Used
Acupuncture for allergies and sinus symptoms usually uses points around the nose and face together with points on the hands and legs chosen for your pattern. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, seasonal allergies are often linked with weak defensive (wei) qi and with "wind" affecting the nose, while long-standing sinus congestion is often linked with dampness and heat, so treatment considers both your symptoms and your overall constitution. Chinese herbal medicine may be suggested alongside acupuncture after a review of your medications.
Some clinical studies suggest acupuncture may ease hay fever symptoms for some people, while research on chronic sinusitis is more limited. Acupuncture is complementary care: it doesn't replace antihistamines, nasal sprays or other treatment your physician recommends.
AcuLife's Approach
Hong Ji, R.TCM.P., is a registered TCM practitioner in both Canada and China with 35 years of clinical experience. She often combines acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine and takes a whole-body view, so your plan considers your sleep, digestion and energy as well as your nose and sinuses.
Learn more about Hong JiWhat to Expect
Your first visit includes a conversation about when your symptoms started, whether they follow the seasons, your triggers and the treatment you've tried, followed by an individualized assessment and treatment. For seasonal allergies, some people like to start a few weeks before their usual season. How often you come in is discussed and adjusted as care progresses.
If a lingering cough or phlegm is part of the picture, see our cough and phlegm page.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your physician if sinus symptoms last more than 10 days or get worse after starting to improve, if you have a high fever, or if sinus infections keep coming back. Seek urgent care for swelling or redness around the eye, changes in vision, a severe headache, a stiff neck or confusion. Call 911 for trouble breathing, wheezing, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Allergy & Sinus Support in North Vancouver?
Book an appointment with AcuLife Wellness.