Allergic Rhinitis 

What is it? 

Allergic rhinitis is the summary of symptoms including nasal 

congestion, itching, and sneezing caused by exposure to 

irritants including dust, animal dander, smoke, and pollen.  When 

a person is first exposed to specific irritants, certain Ig E 

antibodies are created and bind onto the mast cells of the upper 

respiratory tract.  Subsequent exposure of these allergens 

provoke an excessive release of histamine.  Histamine causes an 

increase in the permeability of the epithelial lining within the 

sinus cavities, resulting in heavy bouts of sneezing due to 

overstimulation of the nerve-endings.  This is followed by high 

amounts of nasal discharge and eventual blockage. 

If sinus drainage is obstructed due to the swollen mucosa, 

infection of the paranasal or sphenoidal sinus cavities can result, 

commonly leading to sinusitis.  

Symptoms 

Allergic rhinitis will usually manifest with sneezing, profuse 

runny nose with white or watery discharge, stuffy nose, slight 

headache, and watery eyes. 

Western Treatment 

The classic Western medical treatment for treating allergies 

involves taking allergy medication that typically fall under 

categories including: 

1)Oral antihistamines 

2)Nasal antihistamines 

3)Decongestants 

4)Nasal Sprays 

Side-Effects of Medication: 

Many of these types of medication act as either histamine blockers , supressing the 

immune response (steroids), or by constricting the blood vessels in the sinus cavities.  

With their wide-ranging actions, the side-effects of these medications can greatly vary.  

Adverse side-effects can include but are not limited to mild drowsiness and dry-mouth to 

nausea, heart palpitations, insomnia, or even hypertension.  Severity of symptoms will 

largely depend on the dose, length of treatment, and overall health of the patient.  Several 

of the medications will require special precautions such as avoiding alcohol during 

treatment or avoid during pregnancy. 

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective 

Allergic rhinitis is considered to be a “wind-cold” invasion characterized by sneezing, and 

a white or watery discharge from the nose.  Normally, both the defensive-Qi systems 

governed by the Lung and Kidneys can successfully expel pathogens before they take root 

in the body and cause serious harm.  In cases of allergic rhinitis however, the immune 

system is hyper-reactive due to a deficiency of both the Lung-Qi and Kidney-Qi defense 

mechanisms. Normally, the Lungs aid in the defensive system to protect the body from 

external pathogens.   The kidneys help power the lungs and are responsible for overall  

personal development including birth, growth,  and sexual development. 

Deficiency of the Lung and Kidney Qi defense systems can be due to a number of factors 

including hereditary, problems during pregnancy or childbirth, or can be incurred later in 

life due to factors such as over-work, excessive use of drugs or antibiotics, or excessive 

sexual activity. 

Treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine: 

During treatment, it is important to  treat both the root of the disease (Kidney-Qi 

deficiency) as well as manifestation (Lung-Qi deficiency and wind-cold invasion in the 

nose).  So, acupuncture treatments include both tonifying Lung and Kidney Qi to reduce 

the hypersensitivity to irritants, expelling the wind-cold from the nose, and draining 

phlegm to eliminate the congestion. 

What is the difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis? 

To put it simply, sinusitis is usually defined by a sinus infection due to repeated attacks 

of allergic rhinitis.  While allergic rhinitis is characterized by itching, sneezing and 

excessive white or runny discharge from the nose, sinusitis is more characterized by 

stuffy nose, thick/yellow nasal discharge, feelings of heat, diminished sense of smell, and 

a bitter taste.  

While acupuncture treatments may be similar for both afflictions, allergic rhinitis 

treatments will address the underlying Kidney deficiency while sinusitis treatments will 

focus more on addressing the accompanying heat component of the disease. 

Craig’s final word(s): 

During the spring and summer months, a huge population around the country and within 

Phoenix struggle with allergies.  I’m amazed on how many TV commercials are shown 

advertising the latest in allergy medication, but then only briefly mention the ridiculous 

list of risks and side-effects of this latest “medical breakthrough”.  New patients will tell 

me stories how they are forced to sleep sitting upright in a chair because of the sinus 

pain, and that they can’t stand the negative side-effects of sinus and allergy medication.   

My personal experience treating rhinitis with acupuncture has been incredibly 

encouraging.  Most of my patients will experience dramatic improvements after just a few 

treatments.  I personally consider this affliction one of the easiest to treat.  I must 

emphasize however that while patients will experience huge  changes after just a few 

treatments that lead many to believe they are “cured”, treating the hypersensitivity 

component of the the allergy does take a bit longer.

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