Tried Everything for Your Food or Seasonal Allergies? We Bet You Haven’t Tried This!
For some people, allergies are really obvious. You go outside in the spring, summer or fall and BAM! Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat hit you like a ton of bricks making you want to run back indoors. Or maybe it’s food allergies. You eat a delicious stir fry only to start with hives and the feeling of your throat starting to swell and you realize there was shellfish in there!!
While these allergy issues are definitely not fun, the advantage is that they are obviously allergies and can be treated or avoided to some degree to help the sufferer live a better quality of life.
But what if you didn’t know your symptoms were allergy related? Low level food, environmental or chemical allergens can cause more mysterious symptoms like chronic eczema, stomach issues, headaches, fatigue, brain fog, and more. These symptoms don’t “scream” allergy, so people often end up seeing doctor after doctor attempting to find the cause of their symptoms. They can frequently end up on multiple medications or be told that their issues are “all in their head”.
Great news folks! If you know what allergies you have, or even if you aren't 100% sure that your symptoms are allergy related, there is a different approach that may help you finally get some relief.
If it sounds too good to be true, read on!
Let’s talk about NAET, the new(ish) treatment for allergies that everyone should be talking about. NAET stands for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique. It’s definitely a mouthful which is why we appreciate the acronym and will be referring to it as NAET from here on out!
What Is NAET?
NAET is an approach that combines elements of chiropractic, kinesiology, and acupuncture to evaluate and address substances the body has become overly sensitive to. The NAET approach is based on the idea that the body uses different pathways of communication to keep its systems functioning efficiently. Some of these pathways involve the nervous system, while others are described within traditional acupuncture as energy channels or meridians.
The problem isn’t necessarily the allergen - it’s how the individual body responds to it. Many of the things we call “allergens” are substances that most people encounter every day: plant pollens, dust, foods, and other environmental substances. For most people, the body recognizes these substances, processes them appropriately, and moves on. But sometimes the body can develop an exaggerated or inappropriate response to something that isn't inherently harmful to that particular person.
Think about pollen. Your body may recognize it as something that needs to be cleared out, which might cause a sneeze or a little mucus. But if your immune system reacts excessively, that response can turn into constant sneezing, congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy eyes, or other uncomfortable symptoms.
And of course, there are substances that really can be harmful - certain chemicals, toxic molds, and other environmental exposures are good examples. The goal isn't to convince the body to tolerate something that is genuinely dangerous. Rather, when the substance itself isn't inherently harmful, the question becomes: Why is this person's body reacting to it so strongly?
That distinction is important because simply avoiding more and more substances doesn't necessarily address why the body is reacting in the first place.
So What Does NAET Do That Can Fix This Process?
Practitioners of NAET use a combination of parts of chiropractic, kinesiology and acupuncture to set the body back into balance. Your amazing body uses different “channels” of communication to send signals throughout its systems to keep everything functioning efficiently. Some of these signals travel through the central nervous system and some of them travel through energy channels known as meridians. If some of these channels are blocked or malfunctioning then the signal meant for a specific part may become blocked or misinterpreted. This is where improper reactions like allergies begin.
When you go in for an NAET evaluation, your practitioner will use kinesiology techniques to evaluate what substances your body is overly sensitive to, generally starting with essential nutrients and moving out from there. When a pathway is identified as needing support, the practitioner can then use a combination of chiropractic and acupressure techniques to address those areas and help restore balance. While this process can sometimes require several treatments, many patients experience significant and lasting improvement.
This is so fantastic because it means that those who know they have allergies may be able to experience relief, but even more importantly, those who have these “mysterious” symptoms and never knew what they were reacting to may also find relief without having to jump through so many hoops.
What This Could Mean For You
Imagine walking outside without having to check for tissues, eye drops, antihistamines and your inhaler!! Imagine being able to eat out at a restaurant without wondering about every little ingredient in the food! Imagine finally knowing why you can’t seem to get rid of your dry skin and headaches and waking up feeling refreshed in the morning!
As an experienced practitioner of NAET, I can say from a huge amount of treatments and testimonials that these things are possible!
If you're tired of managing food or seasonal allergies and want to explore a different approach, learn more about our food and seasonal allergy support in St. Louis.
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About the Author
Dr. Caroline Ricker, DC, DABCI, MTAA, is the founder of Whole Health & Wellness in St. Louis. Her practice combines functional medicine, clinical nutrition, functional laboratory testing, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other integrative approaches for patients with chronic and recurring health concerns.
Learn more about Dr. Caroline Ricker and Whole Health & Wellness