Acupuncture for Allergies: Can It Help Relieve Allergy Symptoms?

Sneezing, a constantly runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion can make allergy season difficult to manage. For some people, these symptoms return every year. Others deal with them throughout the year because of ongoing exposure to environmental allergens.

If you are looking for an approach that can complement your existing allergy care, you may have come across acupuncture for allergies. Research has examined acupuncture for allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, and suggests that it may help improve some nasal symptoms and quality of life for certain people. It is not, however, a guaranteed cure for allergies and should not replace medical treatment when that treatment is needed.

What Are Allergies?

An allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance that is normally harmless to most people. These substances are called allergens. Depending on the type of allergy, the reaction can affect the nose, eyes, skin, digestive system, or respiratory system.

For this article, the main focus is allergic rhinitis, a condition that affects the nose after exposure to airborne allergens. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is commonly associated with pollen, while perennial allergic rhinitis can occur throughout the year because of ongoing exposure to allergens such as dust mites, mold, or pet allergens.

Common symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy or congested nose
• Itchy nose or throat
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Nasal irritation
• Coughing
• Sinus pressure or discomfort

If you think you have an allergy, speaking with a healthcare professional can help determine what may be causing your symptoms and whether further assessment is needed.

Common Allergy Triggers

Allergy triggers vary from person to person. Common environmental triggers include:

• Tree, grass, and weed pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Pet allergens

Some people notice symptoms during particular seasons, while others experience them throughout much of the year.

Keeping track of when your symptoms occur and what you were exposed to can be useful when discussing your allergies with a healthcare professional or acupuncture practitioner.

Can Acupuncture Help With Allergies?

Research suggests that acupuncture may help improve some symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including certain nasal symptoms, although individual responses vary. It should not be described as a guaranteed treatment or permanent cure for allergies.

Research has examined acupuncture for allergic rhinitis in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. A 2015 evaluation of 13 studies involving 2,365 participants found evidence that acupuncture may improve nasal symptoms and quality of life, with reductions in medication scores also reported in the acupuncture groups.

More recent research has continued to examine acupuncture for allergic rhinitis. A 2024 clinical practice guideline developed using the GRADE approach included recommendations concerning acupuncture and moxibustion. The strength and certainty of evidence varied across the clinical questions examined, with one strong recommendation based on high-quality evidence, three conditional recommendations, and 11 conditional recommendations based on very low-quality evidence.

The available evidence supports acupuncture as a possible complementary approach for allergic rhinitis symptoms, but it does not support claims that acupuncture can eliminate allergies or prevent future reactions.

If you are considering treatment, your symptoms, allergy history, current medications, and overall health should be taken into account.

How Acupuncture May Affect Allergy Symptoms

Researchers have looked at several possible explanations for how acupuncture may affect allergic rhinitis, including effects on the nervous system, inflammatory responses, and immune-related pathways. The evidence is still developing, so there is no single mechanism that explains how acupuncture affects allergy symptoms in every patient.

The symptoms you experience can also differ from those of another person with allergic rhinitis. One person may mainly struggle with nasal congestion and sneezing, while another may have recurring seasonal symptoms along with itchy or watery eyes and disrupted sleep.

At M City Holistic’s acupuncture clinic in Mississauga, treatment is tailored to the individual’s health concerns and goals rather than using the same approach for every patient.

Acupuncture may help reduce certain symptoms for some people, but individual responses vary. It should be considered part of an overall approach to allergy management rather than a replacement for appropriate medical care.

What Allergy Symptoms May Acupuncture Help Manage?

Most research on acupuncture and allergies has focused on allergic rhinitis, particularly symptoms involving the nose.

Depending on the individual’s condition, acupuncture may be considered as a complementary approach for symptoms such as:

• Frequent sneezing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Nasal irritation

The evidence is more developed for allergic rhinitis than for many other types of allergies. Since different allergies can have different causes and symptoms, treatment should be based on the condition being addressed.

If symptoms are persistent, severe, unusual, or interfering with daily activities, a healthcare professional can help determine whether allergies are responsible and whether further evaluation is needed.

Acupuncture for Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, commonly called hay fever, occur when the immune system reacts to airborne allergens that are more common during particular times of the year. Tree, grass, and weed pollen are common triggers.

For someone who experiences sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, or a runny nose every spring or summer, symptoms can become a recurring part of daily life. Allergy management may involve avoiding known triggers, using medications, or following other treatment recommendations from a healthcare professional.

Acupuncture may also be considered as a complementary option.

Research reviewed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests that acupuncture may improve some symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture should not be presented as a way to guarantee that someone will remain symptom-free throughout allergy season. Treatment timing and frequency can be discussed with a qualified practitioner based on the individual’s symptoms and response.

If your symptoms usually begin around the same time each year, sharing that history during your consultation can help your practitioner understand your pattern.

What to Expect During Acupuncture for Allergies

If you have never had acupuncture before, your first appointment will generally begin with a discussion about your health and symptoms.

Initial Consultation

Your practitioner may ask about:

• When your allergy symptoms started
• How frequently they occur
• Whether they are seasonal or year-round
• Possible environmental triggers
• Which symptoms bother you most
• Medications or treatments you currently use
• Previous allergy evaluations
• Other health concerns that may affect treatment

This information helps your practitioner understand the pattern of your symptoms before treatment begins.

Allergy-Specific Treatment Planning

Acupuncture treatment can vary depending on the symptoms being addressed.

For example, someone whose main concern is persistent nasal congestion may have different treatment considerations from someone experiencing recurring seasonal sneezing, itchy eyes, and postnasal drip.

Your practitioner may also consider your health history and how you respond to previous sessions when planning future treatment.

During the Acupuncture Session

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into selected acupuncture points.

The number and location of points can vary according to the treatment plan. You may notice a brief prickling sensation, pressure, warmth, or another mild sensation during treatment.

If you feel uncomfortable during the session, let your practitioner know.

The use of sterile needles and appropriate technique is an important part of safe acupuncture care. NCCIH notes that complications can occur when acupuncture is performed improperly or when appropriate sterile techniques are not followed.

After the Session

Your practitioner may ask how you felt during treatment and whether you noticed any changes afterward.

If you continue with acupuncture, future appointments can be discussed based on your symptoms and response.

For additional guidance on preparing for and recovering from acupuncture, you can read What Should You Do Before and After Acupuncture Treatment?.

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Are Needed for Allergies?

There is no single number of acupuncture sessions that is appropriate for everyone with allergies.

Treatment frequency may depend on:

• The severity of your symptoms
• How often your symptoms occur
• Whether your allergies are seasonal or year-round
• How long you have been experiencing symptoms
• Your overall health
• How you respond to treatment
• Your treatment goals

Someone with recurring seasonal allergies may have different treatment needs from someone dealing with symptoms throughout the year.

There is no evidence to support promising that a fixed number of sessions will permanently eliminate allergies. Your response should be assessed as treatment progresses.

Acupuncture and Conventional Allergy Treatments

Acupuncture can be considered alongside conventional allergy care rather than automatically replacing it.

Depending on the type and severity of your allergies, conventional management may include avoiding known triggers, antihistamines, nasal treatments, or other approaches recommended by a healthcare professional.

NCCIH advises people considering complementary approaches for seasonal allergies to discuss their options with a healthcare provider.

If you are already taking allergy medication, do not stop or change it simply because you begin acupuncture. Discuss any changes with the healthcare professional who prescribed or recommended the medication.

Acupuncture can be discussed as an additional option when appropriate to your existing allergy-management plan.

Is Acupuncture Safe for Allergies?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a properly trained practitioner using sterile needles and appropriate techniques. Like any procedure, it can have potential risks.

Minor effects can include:

• Temporary soreness
• Bruising
• Minor bleeding
• Discomfort at needle sites

More serious complications are uncommon but can occur, particularly when acupuncture is performed improperly or appropriate safety procedures are not followed.

Before treatment, tell your practitioner about relevant health conditions, medications, pregnancy, or concerns you have about acupuncture. Providing a complete health history helps the practitioner determine whether treatment is appropriate.

M City Holistic Therapy describes its acupuncture care as personalized, with treatment tailored to each patient’s health concerns and needs.

Can Acupuncture Treat Food Allergies?

Food allergies are different from allergic rhinitis and require appropriate medical management.

Acupuncture should not be presented as a treatment that eliminates a food allergy or prevents a severe allergic reaction.

If you have a diagnosed food allergy, continue following the allergy-management plan provided by your healthcare professional.

A severe allergic reaction can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. Health Canada identifies anaphylaxis as a medical emergency and notes that epinephrine is the appropriate emergency medication for severe allergic reactions when prescribed.

Acupuncture is not an emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.

If you are unsure whether a reaction is related to a food allergy, speak with an appropriate healthcare professional for evaluation.

When Should You Seek Medical or Emergency Care for Allergies?

Most allergy symptoms do not require emergency treatment, but some reactions need immediate medical attention.

Seek emergency care if an allergic reaction involves:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing or significant shortness of breath
• Swelling of the tongue or throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Signs of shock
• A rapidly progressing severe allergic reaction

Anaphylaxis can develop quickly and can be life-threatening. Health Canada recommends immediate emergency management, including epinephrine when indicated, followed by emergency medical care.

For recurring but non-emergency allergy symptoms, a healthcare professional can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Acupuncture can then be discussed as a possible complementary option.

Talk to M City Holistic About Your Allergy Symptoms

Choosing an acupuncture clinic involves more than finding a convenient location. You should be able to discuss your symptoms comfortably, understand what treatment involves, and receive care that takes your individual situation into account.

M City Holistic Therapy provides acupuncture in Mississauga with a personalized approach to treatment. The clinic states that practitioners review each patient’s health history, lifestyle, and goals when developing a treatment plan. The practice also emphasizes patient-focused care and sterile, single-use equipment.

If you are dealing with recurring seasonal or environmental allergy symptoms and want to discuss whether acupuncture may be appropriate, you can contact M City Holistic Therapy to learn more about your treatment options.