Acupuncture is an ancient form of therapy that originated in Asia and is now practiced throughout the world for a large number of physical illnesses. In the United States, approximately 2 million people, or close to 1% of the population, seek acupuncture care each year, and 4% of the US population have used acupuncture at some time in their lives.
There have been over 100 clinical studies that have examined whether acupuncture treatment is helpful in reducing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The results of a thorough analysis of all relevant data concluded that for seasonal allergic rhinitis, acupuncture had no detectable beneficial effects. However, for year-round chronic symptoms of nasal allergy, there was an overall improvement in nasal symptoms, and in some studies this effect was stronger than allergy medications. None of these studies were designed to determine whether acupuncture induced a long-lasting “cure” of nasal allergy.
Acupuncture
The practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to treat disease or relieve pain.