A new clinical study examined acupuncture for treatment of chronic rhinitis. The study examined a test group of 85 patients and notes that chronic rhinitis is due to wind-cold or wind-heat obstructing lung Qi. The results concluded that acupuncture resolves rhinitis.
The Problem
Rhinitis is nasal congestion usually accompanied with post-nasal drip. There is irritation and inflammation of nasal tissue. In western medicine, this is attributed to a viral or bacterial infection (or other antigen such as pollen) that stimulates mucus production.
If untreated, chronic rhinitis can last many years. Rhinitis triggers many symptoms including nose bleeds, thick yellow or profuse white phlegm in the sinus and throat, coughing, insomnia, foggy thinking, difficulties with smelling, and asthma.
The Solution
From a Chinese medicine perspective, the wind-cold and wind-heat patterns associated with rhinitis typically involve either a microbial infection or another antigen-antibody response. So by applying Chinese medicine treatment to alleviate wind-cold and wind-heat, this condition can be improved, and in many cases resolved.
Acupuncture Resolves Rhinitis
This recent clinical study had an effective rate of 96.5 percent with 61 persons obtaining total recovery, 21 with marked improvement, and 3 with no effect. To achieve the standard of total recovery, the the patient’s symptoms had to be completely resolved. Rhinoscopy (looking into the nose with a scope) and the absence of symptoms were used to confirm the results. A two year follow-up confirmed total recovery.
At a rate of one treatment per day, fifteen acupuncture sessions consisted of one course of treatment. The 96.5 percent effective rate was achieved after two courses of treatment (30 acupuncture treatments) unless total recovery was achieved sooner. In our practice at Raleigh Acupuncture we typically are able to resolve chronic rhinitis within 12 treatments.
Acupuncture Treatment Protocol
The acupuncture points chosen were: GB20, LI4, and St36. Supplementary acupuncture points were BL12, BL13, Yintang, and GV14. Supplementary acupuncture points were chosen dependent upon the specific needs of individual patients.
Analysis of the Study
The Western medicine view is that a microbial pathogen or other antigen is the cause of the chronic rhinitis. In Chinese medicine, weakness of the lungs, spleen and pathways leading to the nasal system are important causes of rhinitis. In addition, environmental conditions such as dryness, heat, dampness and coldness play a role in developing this chronic condition. Moreover, dietary and emotional factors also contribute to developing chronic rhinitis.
This study supports our experience that chronic rhinitis is treatable with acupuncture. Acupuncture resolves rhinitis by strengthening your own body to fight off pathogens and antigens. If you suffer from chronic nasal congestion, come in for treatment. You can stop using prescription and over the counter medications, sleep better, have more energy, and breathe easier again.
Next Steps
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Acupuncture resolves rhinitis safely, naturally and effectively.
References for this blog post: An Hua, Qinhuangdao Port Hospital, Hebei, China. “Treatment of 85 Cases with Chronic Rhinitis by Acupuncture.” J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 2010, 8 (5): 318.
What our Clients are Saying
Excellent Chinese medicine at Raleigh Acupuncture. I had treatment for chronic sinusitis with great success. My husband also got excellent results for his sinusitis. Highest standards of care. This is real Chinese medicine as practiced in Beijing.
I’ve struggled with sinus infections for my entire adult life, getting around two to three infections a year. In between episodes I would always have sinus congestion, a clogged nose and difficulty breathing, especially at night. I tried Raleigh Acupuncture and they completely changed my life. I came in with a particularly severe sinus infection that two rounds of antibiotics had not been able to clear. Within six sessions the infection was gone. I stayed on for another six treatments and now my chronic nasal congestion is gone as well. I’m thrilled with what they did and highly recommend their practice to anyone suffering from sinus problems.
The practitioners at Raleigh Acupuncture are miracle workers! In early December I went through the conventional methods of going to Kaiser when struggling through a terrible sinus infection. After eight weeks of nonstop coughing and sinus congestion and going through two separate antibiotics I started to give up hope. I remembered I visited Raleigh Acupuncture the year before when I had a similar experience and was feeling better after two treatments. I hopped online and found an opening for the following day. They were extremely accommodating around my work schedule, and even made arrangements so I could receive my final treatment on a Friday night. After three treatments I was finally back to normal. From now on I will always contact Raleigh Acupuncture whenever I start to feel under the weather rather than relying on doctors and antibiotics.
