Posted: 02/03/09
The sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes common with hay fever may have met their match. A new study, led by Dr. Benno Brinkhaus of the Charite University Medical Center in Berlin, found that acupuncture might provide extra relief for hay fever sufferers. The study followed more than 5,000 adults with nasal allergies and concluded that those who added acupuncture to their treatment plan were less affected by the previously noted itchy eyes, runny nose and trouble sleeping. The positive benefits of acupuncture were still present after three months, but the effects were waning.
Acupuncture is a 2,000 year old Chinese treatment for a variety of ailments. The process stimulates points on the skin which are thought to be connected with internal pathways that conduct energy. Past research has shown that acupuncture might influence the immune system, which could explain its effects on hay fever.
The cost of acupuncture is not commonly covered by traditional medical insurance, although some supplemental health insurance plans may offer discounts.
Related Links
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_72217.html
