It seems as though seasonal allergies have become a year-round affair with our clients! Because we see and hear you allergy sufferers daily, we want to give hope and share the tools we have at BodyQuirks to help your body cope with allergens. (But we still recommend seeing your doctor or allergist to get relief, especially if your symptoms are chronic).
As a side note, if you’re using our Whole Body Vibration machines, you may be getting relief and possibly might find yourself symptom-free with consistent use of WBV. In fact, one of our members who had severe allergies her entire life, reported that she was symptom-free after about a week of using our WBV machines. She felt validated by her belief that WBV was working for her when she stopped using the machines for a couple weeks, since her allergies came back. She is happy to report to be symptom-free after coming back to vibe!
What you may not know of are some of the other tools we offer to combat the affects of allergies and reduce your symptoms. Massage therapy, neti pots, and essential oils are at the top of our list. Far-Infrared saunas get an honorable mention, as the “heat of a sauna produces white blood cells more rapidly, which in turn helps to fight illnesses and helps to kill viruses and additionally relieves the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from colds or allergies”, according to Finnleo, the market leading of saunas and FIR saunas. Ok, more on how you can get relief:
Massage: We’ve covered this topic before because we are massage therapists and see how your allergies affect your entire body. Sneezing can impact your spine, neck, shoulder muscles and ribs, even throwing ribs out and causing whiplash on a small scale. We can help put your ribs into place and release the muscle tension that is keeping you stuck and hurting. Regular massage can also help to minimize allergic reactions before they start because it helps remove toxins from the body, shore up the immune system, and reduce stress-all of which help reduce histamine reactions.
Neti Pots: The process of using one of these is called nasal irrigation, and works as a great preventative measure against sinus infections and congestion. The moisture provided through using a neti pot works to empty the sinuses of infected mucus which collects there. Nasal irrigation helps to restore normal sinus function and can be used any time. Safe to use on a daily basis or as needed, especially after activities where more allergens are introduced into the body (like being outside when the pollen count is high). Easy to use- check out our previous blog for instructions! Yoga Journal also has a great video on how to use a neti pot.
Essential Oils: These are a great tool to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. In terms of allergies, these oils will help to detoxify the body and fight infections, bacteria, parasites, microorganisms and toxins. They reduce the bodies reaction and susceptibility to outside sources of allergens. Some essential oils relieve respiratory conditions and increase your bodies own ability to eliminate toxins through sweat or urination, according to Dr. Axe, one of our favorite online health experts. His favorite oils to reduce and prevent allergy symptoms are peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, basil, and tea tree oil. More info about why and how to use these oils can be found in his blog.
We not only offer a host of different types of massage, catered to your individual needs, we sell neti pots by Coryell Clayworks (which are porcelain and locally made), and two different brands of high quality essential oils: DoTerra and Snow Lotus. If you are seeking relief, call us at (503) 233-9030 or stop by our studio for more information!
