The following is a summary of a case study published in 2013 about the successful treatment of hives with acupuncture. At Raleigh Acupuncture, we treat hives (aka urticaria) with great success by applying a similar treatment protocol. This urticaria acupuncture case study highlights the benefits of this alternative therapy.
Acupuncture and Skin Conditions
Research studies have reported the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, urticaria, pruritus, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and herpes zoster (shingles). This urticaria acupuncture case study describes a successful treatment protocol incorporating acupuncture with TCM-based nutrition and lifestyle suggestions to treat a patient with chronic urticaria.
Urticaria Acupuncture Case Study
A 41-year-old man had been struggling with chronic hives for the past seven years, affecting his face, neck, torso, upper and lower extremities. Previous to the hives, he was diagnosed with angioedema, which involved swelling of his lips. Doctors resolved the angioedema with intramuscular epinephrine injections.
However, his urticaria refused to subside, despite being treated with multiple courses of corticosteroids and antihistamines. In addition, stress and exposure to hot temperatures made his symptoms worse. Finally, he sought treatment at the UCLA health clinic, stating his desire to explore alternative medicine modalities.
Urticaria Patient Background
This urticaria patient worked at a tropical fish store, where the temperature was kept warm and humid. In addition, his diet consisted of large quantities of red meat, barbecue, and spicy foods. Doctors ruled out dermatographism when his scratch test (drawing a hard-pointed instrument across his skin) did not produce a raised line. Furthermore, his bloodwork came back normal.
The clinic initiated a multi-modal therapeutic approach, including acupuncture, TCM-based nutrition, lifestyle recommendations, and stress management. The treatment goal was to remove “wind” and “heat” from the body, the two most common causes of hives.
Acupuncture Treatment for Urticaria
The acupuncturists applied the following acupoints:
- LI-11 (Quchi)
- Sp-10 (Xuehai)
- Sp-6 (Sanyinjiao)
- St-36 (Zusanli).
In addition, practitioners made the following TCM dietary recommendations:
- Reduce intake of foods with a “hot” nature (spicy, barbecued, red meats, and alcohol).
- Increase consumption of “cooling” foods (fruits and vegetables).
Lifestyle suggestions included:
- Limiting exposure to hot and humid climates (e.g., his work environment).
- Stress management behavior modification (meditation, exercise, journaling to process built-up emotions).
Hives Treatment Results
After just one treatment, he experienced substantial improvement, reducing his hives from “20 hives per day to 1-2 hives per day.” Following his second visit, he stated, “this is the first time in a long while that I have had back to back days without hives.” In addition, he was able to taper down his use of antihistamines.
Following his eighth treatment, acupuncture had entirely resolved his hives, and he no longer had to take medications. To date, he has not had any recurrent episodes.
Urticaria Acupuncture Discussion
Urticaria is caused by the abnormal release of histamine from mast cells, resulting in plasma leakage in the top layer of the skin. Hives vary in size from a few centimeters to several inches in diameter. Medications, foods, systemic disorders, and physical and environmental stimuli can trigger a histamine release.
Conventional Western medical treatment includes:
- H1 antihistamines.
- H2 antihistamines
- Tricyclic anti-depressants
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants
- Immunomodulators
- Thyroid hormone (for patients with thyroid antibodies who can benefit from suppressing autoimmune thyroid activity.)
Acupuncture Mechanism for Healing Urticaria
Multiple research studies over the past twenty years have identified acupuncture as an effective therapy for urticaria. Specifically, its purported mechanism of action from a Western medicine perspective includes re-modulating neurohumoral networks, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system, and nonspecific and specific immunity.
In addition, studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain have demonstrated that acupuncture modulates the itch response and the limbic system, which is essential for emotional processing.
Hives Study Conclusions
The authors in this urticaria acupuncture case study have described a classic case of chronic urticaria successfully treated with acupuncture. As a result, clinicians are strongly encouraged to recommend acupuncture for acute and chronic hives patients.
Next Steps
Try acupuncture if you or a loved one struggle with urticaria (hives). Treatments are safe, natural, and effective.
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Watch Video About Our Urticaria Treatment.
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Additional Resources
Urticaria Acupuncture Research Study.
Reference
CLINICAL VIGNETTE Chronic Urticaria – An Integrative East-West Approach, Malcolm B. Taw, MD, Lawrence B. Taw, Proceedings of UCLA Healthcare -VOLUME 17 (2013).
Focus Keyphrase: Urticaria Acupuncture Case Study
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What our Clients are Saying
My whole life I broke out in hives when I exercised. It was always the areas where I sweat. It would last the day and then clear up. Obviously something I could live with. But still a bother. My wife gave me an acupuncture treatment for my birthday (to relax) at Raleigh Acupuncture Associates. They asked if I had any issues and I just mentioned about the hives. They treated for that plus stress. I was really surprised the next time I ran because I didn’t break out as much. So I went back for some more sessions. After six appointments the rashes didn’t come up anymore. I don’t know what exactly they did, but it worked. I highly recommend them.
After I gave birth to my son I developed hives. They were triggered by stress. Medications didn’t help. I felt like I was losing my mind. The hives caused more stress, and the condition was getting worse and worse. I did some research on the internet and found Raleigh Acupuncture. After just three treatments my hives were 50% better. I continued treatment for a few months until they were 100% cured. It’s been six months since my last treatment and still no hives, even when I’m stressed. I’m very grateful to Raleigh Acupuncture. My whole family goes to them now because they are such good health care providers.
