Allergy immunotherapy is becoming more and more popular, surging into the limelight as an effective solution to managing allergies. It works by targeting the root cause of the allergy rather than just alleviating symptoms, as traditional over-the-counter meds do.
The best part? It’s a natural approach, leveraging exposure to help your immune system build an allergen-specific tolerance. The ins and outs of this treatment go hand-in-hand with holistic health practices, emphasizing prevention, balance, and treating underlying causes. Here’s what you need to know about how allergy immunotherapy complements bodywork and holistic health practices.
Understanding Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy is a specialized treatment that helps reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to an allergen through repeated exposure.
For example, let’s say you’re allergic to pet dander. Each time you’re exposed to it, your immune system responds in kind, throwing up red flags that kickstart the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction. While you could take over-the-counter medications, like decongestants or antihistamines, they only last for so long. That’s where allergy immunotherapy comes in.
Instead of focusing on the symptoms, it hones in on the allergy itself. It works to desensitize your body to pet dander by delivering a tiny dose of it to your system. This gives your immune system the opportunity to build an allergen-specific tolerance.
Once that happens, you may find that you can be around the allergen with minimal symptoms or discomfort. It’s a wonderful thing!
But, of course, it’s important to note that this transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to see improvements. Most folks notice the earliest signs of improvements within the first year, but the best results take two to three years to appear.
Once they do, you may find that you can discontinue the treatment after 3-5 years without losing the benefits. Now, that said, some folks need to continue treatment indefinitely to continue seeing results, so the timeline to completion can look different for everybody.
Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
Subcutaneous immunotherapy, often shortened to SCIT, is one of two types of allergy immunotherapy. This type of immunotherapy is administered via injection underneath the skin. It’s the more common type and is more popular among adults.
This type of allergy immunotherapy has a higher risk of an adverse reaction, so for each dose, you’ll need to visit your doctor or allergist’s office. While serious reactions are rare, this dose is more direct, so to be on the safe side, your doctor or allergist will keep you for a set period for monitoring.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
Subcutaneous immunotherapy, often shortened to SLIT, involves tablets or drops that are administered underneath the tongue. This type of allergy immunotherapy is popular with kids because it doesn’t involve injections, which makes it a great choice for those who don’t appreciate needles.
Plus, since there is little risk of adverse reactions, it can be administered from the comfort of your own home. You won’t need to visit the doctor or allergist’s office for each injection; instead, you can administer each dose at home when it works for you.
Types of Bodywork
Before we explore how immunotherapy complements bodywork, let’s take a look at a few common forms of bodywork therapies that target physical, mental, and emotional wellness. These therapies include:
- Massage Therapy: Massage relaxes tense muscles, increases circulation, and helps manage pain and stress. It may support immune function, indirectly benefiting those managing allergies.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture has shown promise in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis in parentheses seasonal allergies. By targeting specific points in the body, acupuncture aims to rebalance energy pathways, reducing the inflammatory response to the allergens.
- Reflexology: Reflexology applies pressure to certain areas of the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to various organs and systems. For those who experience allergies, reflexology can provide relaxation, improve circulation, and potentially help with respiratory symptoms.
How Allergy Immunotherapy Complements Bodywork
Allergy immunotherapy aligns well with holistic health practices because it gradually retrains the body’s immune system rather than merely masking the symptoms. Here are some of the ways it complements bodywork:
Boosts Overall Wellness
Bodywork focuses on reducing stress, enhancing relaxation, and improving circulation. By improving circulation, bodywork can help the body more effectively distribute immune cells, supporting the immunotherapy’s work in adjusting the immune system’s response to allergens. Together, these approaches work to bring the body to a state of balance.
Supports Respiratory Health
If you experience respiratory allergies, massage therapy and other bodywork practices may help reduce muscle tension around the chest, neck, and shoulders, making breathing easier. Coupled with subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy, these practices offer a holistic approach to reducing respiratory allergy symptoms.
Reduces Medication Dependence
Immunotherapy’s potential to lower dependence on medication complements the natural approach of bodywork. Bodywork encourages reducing synthetic inputs, focusing instead on physical, mental, and emotional resilience. By incorporating both bodywork and immunotherapy, you can find relief without having to rely solely on traditional over-the-counter medications.
Aligns With Preventative Health
holistic health practices prioritize prevention and long-term well-being, echoing the goals of immunotherapy, which builds the body’s resistance to allergens over time. Bodywork, such as regular massage, encourages consistent health maintenance, fostering a lifestyle that can support the immune system and complement the gradual effects of immunotherapy.
Allergy Immunotherapy and Bodywork: A Match Made in Heaven
Allergy immunotherapy can be a valuable addition to holistic health practices, particularly bodywork therapies like massage, acupuncture, and reflexology. Immunotherapy addresses the immune response directly, working to support the body’s resilience against allergens. Similarly, bodywork focuses on overall wellness and reducing stress.
Combined, the pair helps foster a balanced, preventative health approach. It’s a more integrative path to managing symptoms and achieving long-term health and balance.
If you’re interested in trying allergy immunotherapy for your allergies, remember to chat with your doctor first. They can help you determine the best type of AIT for your needs based on your medical history.
