Here we are again in allergy season. For those of us who suffer the annual torture of seasonal nasal allergies (as opposed to allergies or more commonly, “intolerances,” to food, drugs and drinks) caused by blooming plants, marks an important time to care for ourselves.
Allergies Defined
According to Wikipedia:
Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system.[1] Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response.[2]
Massage and Allergies
You’re probably wondering why we would even discuss seasonal allergies on a massage blog, but the reason is quite simple — sneezing affects your entire body and its alignment. If you sneeze regularly, you’ll be affecting your spine and neck as well as the shoulder muscles and ribs, in some cases even “throwing them out.” A sneeze is such a powerful event, it even has the potential to give you “mini-whiplash.”
So now you know why massage may be necessary post-allergic reaction but what you may not realize is that, regular massage can also help to minimize allergic reactions before they start, helping alleviate symptoms when you’re in the throes of allergy season.
As we’ve spoken about before in our cold and flu season posts, massage helps to remove toxins from the body, shore up the immune system and reduce stress — all of which help to reduce the impact of histamine reactions.
Adjunct Therapies
Like massage, these other holistic methods can lighten the burden on your immune system, lessening your overall nasal seasonal allergic reaction.
- Acupuncture
- Herbal supplements such as quercetin, nettles and butterbur.
- Neti Pot used regularly
- Allergy spring cleanse of your home
- Check your pollen count before heading out
- Reflexology to encourage drainage and decrease inflammation
The best things you can do for allergies are the best things to do for your overall health, all year long — cleaning and maintaining nasal health with nasal washes, supporting your immune system with proper diet and exercise and getting regular massages to increase immunity and relax your lung area, including the diaphragm, neck and shoulders.
Stay tuned for our next blog complete with a handy reflexology chart and instructions for reducing symptoms during an seasonal allergy attack.
