During allergy season many people choose to turn to the pharmaceutical industry for help. But the truth of the matter is that’s not always the best and healthiest option. There are many options for people that are looking to tame their allergies without using chemical filled medicines. Many holistic doctors will recommend using herbs, teas, and extracts. But these are not always the most enjoyable options. Some herbs and tea can have a horrible taste or texture making them hard for some people to swallow. For others just remembering to take a capsule everyday can be very difficult. For those people looking for a healthy and more enjoyable option, massage for allergies may be the best choice.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthmas and Immunology, allergies affect more than 50 million Americans, which is a huge amount of the population suffering from allergies. Allergic reaction occurs when the bodies’ immune system is reacting to a normally non harmful substance in the environment. The body activates certain white blood cells to fight allergens off but in turn creates inflammatory response. The response can be very serious like anaphylactic shock to just a sniffle and runny nose. Without using steroids and antihistamines massage therapist are able to fight most allergy symptoms by reducing stress, increasing circulation, and releasing tension.
The upper back and shoulders are where many of the sinus and trigger point are located, but head and facial massage (extending to neck and clavicle) can also be a huge help to the allergy reduction. Reflexology points on the feet and hands also contain trigger points that can greatly help fight the body’s negative reaction to allergens. Massage has been used for thousands of years to assist in getting rid of back pain and also for things like allergies. Massage helps you breathe better, relax, and improve overall well-being. So the next time you get red eyes, the sniffles, and itchy throat, try a massage. You may just discover something new.