Give Hay Fever the Heave Ho

By Nuala Price [Acupuncturist at BoCo]

Summer is nearly upon us and along with sunshine (hopefully), long days and bbqs many of us will suffer from runny noses, sore throats and sneezing as pollen season gets into full swing. The UK has one of the highest rates of Hay fever sufferers with symptoms affecting up to 12 million people (40%) of the population. 

What is Hay fever?
Hay fever or Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis is due to an over activity of the immune system to certain allergens. Pollen particles irritate the lining of eyes, nose and throat triggering an allergic reaction. The immune system overreacts; wrongly thinking grass and tree pollen are threatening toxins and responds as if it was attacking a virus, releasing histamine to protect the body. Histamine further irritates the nose and throat lining and the eyes leading to inflammation and swelling and in turn the recognisable symptoms of Hay fever appear - cough, wheezing and shortness of breath, runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching and blockage, eye symptoms (red eyes, itching, tearing). Other less obvious symptoms include tiredness, fever, pressure sensation in the head and itchiness. If left untreated Hay fever can affect quality of life, work, sleep and in turn general well being.

How can Acupuncture help?
Acupuncture is a holistic medicine that looks at pain and illness as a sign that the body is out of balance. We believe illness and pain occur when one's Qi or vital energy cannot flow freely. Therefore the primary aim of treatment is to restore the free flow of Qi and in turn restore the body's equilibrium bringing balance to body, mind and spirit. 
In relation to Hay fever, acupuncture has been shown to relieve symptoms by:
• reducing inflammation
• aiding the dispersal of swelling in the body
• enhancing natural killer cells activities
• regulating levels of proteins that are capable of producing allergic reactions
• stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues leading to the release of endorphins changing the processes of pain in the brain.

Acupuncture treatment also has the added benefit of having no side effects compared to conventional treatments.

If you would like more information about Acupuncture and Hay fever or how Acupuncture can help you please call Nuala on 07808938223 or visit her website www.surreyacupunctureclinic.co.uk where you will find more details of the many conditions Acupuncture can help with. 

Soothe your stomach with acupuncture - Acupuncture and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

By Nuala Price [Acupuncturist at BoCo]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects 10-20% of the UK population at any one time, causing embarrassment and discomfort to sufferers. Up to 12 million people in the UK are affected by IBS at some time in their lives. More women seek help, but it is just as common in both sexes and commonly starts between 15-40 years old. Acupuncture* has been found to be very effective in relieving the symptoms of IBS. 

IBS is a long-term and often debilitating condition that causes re-occurring pain or discomfort in the abdomen. Bloating, swelling, bouts of diarrhoea and/or constipation and feeling sick are just some of the symptoms which can cause misery for sufferers. The exact cause of IBS is unknown; so many sufferers remain undiagnosed or struggle to manage their symptoms. 

Traditional acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine that recognises the importance of healthy bowels for overall physical and emotional health. Acupuncture treatments for IBS have been researched, refined and developed in China for thousands of years and understands how emotional stress can combine with physical factors to stagnate the body’s vital energy, known as Qi, and result in the symptoms of IBS. 

Acupuncture moves stagnation and regulates the flow of Qi in order to restore normal bowel function so that your body can properly digest food and eliminate waste products. By alleviating energy blockages in the body, acupuncture relieves IBS symptoms by reducing pain, regulating muscular movement and strengthening of the digestive tract, reducing anxiety and depression as well as decreasing stress. Acupuncturists look at the body as a whole and also provide dietary advice to ensure patients are well nourished and improve digestion. 

Nuala Price, acupuncturist and British Acupuncture Council member says; “I’ve seen many patients who have struggled to get a diagnosis for IBS and so look to Traditional Chinese Medicine to help. Many of them who have suffered with IBS for years have found acupuncture to be a great relief.

Acupuncture can relieve stress, one of the main causes of IBS as well as reduce pain, bloating and nausea. By treating the underlying cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms, acupuncture can provide longer term relief for sufferers”. 

Nuala Price practices at BoCo on a Wednesday and Saturday. You can contact her on 07808 938223 or by email nualaprice@hotmail.com. Her website is www.surreyacupunctureclinic.co.uk 

* Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine principles that have been developed, researched and refined for over 2,500 years. Acupuncture is holistic, not focused on isolated symptoms. It regards pain and illness, whether physical or mental, to be a sign the whole body is out of balance. Western or medical acupuncture is a more recent development practised predominantly by doctors and physiotherapists, who use acupuncture techniques within their existing scope of practice on the basis of a western medical diagnosis