Allergy and Hay Fever Shiatsu treatment

Allergy

Hay Fever

Many people suffer from the symptoms associated with aller­gies. Allergy is the mechanism through which symptoms are caused by sensitivity to an allergen (allergy causing substance). Allergy is the cause of hay fever and hives (urticaria) and under­lies many cases of asthma and eczema.

Allergic reactions are exaggerations of the body's normal im­mune responses to bacteria and viruses and their toxins. The nor­mal immune response is designed to destroy bac­teria and neutralize their toxins. The allergic response causes symptoms rather than protecting against them.

The most common sites for allergic reac­tions are the respiratory tract and the skin. It is the body's own histamine reaction to foreign mat­ter that creates the symptoms of hay fever such as sneezing and eye-watering from swelling and inflammation around the eyes and the nasal mu­cous membranes. In the lungs the small air pas­sages spasms causing asthma; in the skin the re­sponse causes swelling and irritation. Allergy can affect the digestive system by damaging the lining, causing chronic diarrhea.

Many allergy symptoms are caused by yeast infections. Yeast are single cell fungi which belong to the vegetable kingdom. Yeast is found all around us. Candida albicans normally lives in your body and more especially in your intestines and other parts of your digestive tract. They live on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and vagina. So do billions of friendly germs. Unfriendly bac

teria, viruses, allergens, and other enemies also find their way into these and other membrane-lined passageways and cavities. But when your immune system is strong, they aren't able to break through into your deeper tissues or blood stream and make you sick.

When you take antibiotics, especially repeatedly, you wipe out the friendly bacteria (especially in the digestive tract). Since yeasts aren't harmed they spread out and grow in other parts of your body. When yeasts multiply, they put out toxins which circulate through your body and make you sick. These toxins weaken your immune system. Other factors also adversely affect your immune system leading to more allergies, infections, and antibiotics.

Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics, kill friendly germs while they're killing enemies. This allows yeast (Candida albicans) to multiply. Diets rich in sugar and the use of birth control pills, cortisone, and other drugs also stimulate yeast growth.

When your immune system is weak, you're apt to feel "sick all over" and develop yeast and/or fungus infections of the skin, nails, or vagina. You may also become more susceptible to viral, bacterial and other infections, and develop mold, chemical, food and other allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. You may also develop other health disorders, including hives, psoriasis, arthritis, Crohn's disease, or multiple sclerosis.

You can suspect yeast as the cause of your allergy if you have taken antibiotics in the past; experience fatigue, depression, and headache frequently; have digestive and sex organ problems; and feel "sick all over." Confirmation of this suspicion is particularly likely if, after some weeks, the elimination of sugar, yeasted prod­ucts, fruit, and milk products makes you feel better.

Allergy treatment is aimed at strengthening the body's immune system and dealing with symptoms that exist during that process.

Diet

Diet is the foundation of a healthy body and a strong immune system. Excess protein from animal sources such as beef, lamb and pork; sugars; excessive fried and oily snack foods like potato chips; and refined and chemicalized foods can contribute to lowering the immune system. Being exposed to environmental contaminants and chemicals put severe stress on the natu­ral defense mechanisms of the body. Lack of adequate exercise or breathing of fresh air prevents the body from becoming strong. Regular exercise increases body resistance. The standard macrobiotic diet will aid in the strengthening process of the immune system. Depending on the severity of symp­toms, fruit, fruit juices, fried foods, and the use of flour products should be eliminated or minimized. If your symptoms are severe, then the elimination of luxury items such as fruit is necessary. If symptoms are not very bad, then small amounts of cooked fruit may be tolerated.

In the case of allergy caused by yeast infection (candida albi-cans) you must be especially attentive to the diet.

Food you Can Eat

All fresh vegetables, fish, water, unprocessed nuts, seeds and oils, whole grains (not enriched) such as millet, brown rice, old fa­shioned oats, barley. One salted plum (umeboshi) per day is useful.

Foods to Avoid

Processed and packaged foods, condiments, yeasted bread

and pastries, mushrooms and truffles, milk and its products, coffee and tea, yeast, alco­holic beverages, all fruit, fruit juices, malt products, dried and candied fruits, processed and smoked meats, luncheon meats, sugar and sugar containing foods.

Shiatsu

Regular sbiatsu treatments are helpful with allergies. Special attention should be paid to the head and sinus area. The back area, from the shoulders down to the waist, near the spine should be pressed with the thumbs. (See page 77, for complete details on technique.)

Ginger Compress

Compresses placed on the face and si­nus area, as well as the abdominal region, will help with the congestion symptoms that accompany allergies. Warm each area for 10-20 minutes.

Moxibustion and Acupuncture

Strengthening the immune system with heat applications will enhance the effective­ness of the macrobiotic diet when allergic symptoms are present.
Warm the following acupoints fr; 2-5 minutes: ST 36, SP 6, CV 4, CV 6, CV 12, and LI 4.

Acupuncture is effective, but must be done by a professional.

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