We all know that treating allergic rhinitis is very difficult and has a significant impact on patients' daily lives. However, can traditional Chinese gua sha therapy be used to treat allergic rhinitis? And where should gua sha be applied?
Gua Sha Therapy for Allergic Rhinitis: Where to Apply?
1. Areas for Gua Sha Therapy
1. For allergic rhinitis, the Yintang acupoint on the Extraordinary Meridian can be selected to clear nasal passages and dispel heat.
2. The Yingxiang acupoint on the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming can be selected to promote lung function and clear nasal passages.
3. The Feishu and Shenshu acupoints on the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang can be selected. The Feishu acupoint can clear the lung and boost qi, while the Shenshu acupoint can tonify the kidneys and invigorate the spleen.
4. The Taiyuan acupoint on the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin can be selected to nourish the lungs and expel wind evil.
5. The Qihai acupoint on the Conception Vessel can be selected to tonify the deficiency and consolidate the foundation.
2. Gua Sha Techniques
1. Gua Sha on the Head
Use the rounded corner of the gua sha tool to gently press the Yintang and Yingxiang acupoints.
2. Gua Sha on the Back
Along the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang, scrape from the Feishu acupoint to the Shenshu acupoint, with extra focus on scraping the Feishu and Shenshu acupoints.
3. Gua Sha on the Abdomen
Along the Conception Vessel, scrape from above the navel to the upper edge of the pubic bone, with extra focus on scraping the Qihai acupoint.
4. Gua Sha on the Hands
Gently press or scrape the Taiyuan acupoint.
3. Indications
Treating allergic rhinitis with gua sha therapy is suitable for symptoms such as sneezing, nasal itching, runny nose, nasal congestion, temporary or complete loss of smell, accompanied by symptoms like insomnia, sinusitis, otitis media, and nosebleeds.
Does Gua Sha Therapy Work for Allergic Rhinitis?
Gua sha therapy can indeed be used to treat allergic rhinitis.
Modern medicine believes that allergic rhinitis is related to allergic constitution, psychological factors, and endocrine disorders. It is often triggered by changes in temperature, chemical gases, irritating odors, smoke, and pollen. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that allergic rhinitis falls under the category of "nasal congestion." The pathogenesis is due to weak lung qi or spleen and stomach qi deficiency, combined with the invasion of wind cold evil, leading to blockage of lung qi and nasal passages. Gua sha therapy, by scraping specific acupoints, has the effects of clearing the lungs, boosting qi, tonifying the kidneys and invigorating the spleen, as well as clearing nasal passages and dispelling heat evil. It fundamentally adjusts the constitution and treats allergic rhinitis.
Precautions for Gua Sha Therapy for Allergic Rhinitis
1. Pre-treatment Precautions
1. Gua sha therapy requires exposed skin, and during gua sha, sweat pores are opened. If exposed to wind cold evil, the evil qi can directly enter the body through the open pores, affecting the effectiveness of gua sha therapy and potentially causing new diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a good treatment location with fresh and well-ventilated air, pay attention to keeping warm, avoid drafts, and minimize skin exposure.
2. Choose a comfortable position for gua sha to facilitate scraping and prevent dizziness from occurring.
3. Gua sha tools should be strictly disinfected to prevent cross-infection. Before scraping, carefully inspect the gua sha tools to avoid scraping the skin.
4. The practitioner's hands should also be disinfected.
5. Before scraping, it is necessary to explain the general knowledge of gua sha to the patient, alleviate their fear, and gain their cooperation to prevent dizziness from occurring.
6. Avoid performing gua sha treatment on patients who are excessively hungry, full, or under excessive stress.
2. Precautions during Gua Sha
1. The scraping technique should be applied with even pressure, adjusted according to the patient's tolerance, and stopped once petechiae appear.
2. For infants, children, and the elderly, the scraping technique should be applied with gentle pressure.
3. Do not blindly pursue petechiae and use excessive force or extend the duration of gua sha. The appearance of petechiae is influenced by various factors. Generally, blood stasis conditions produce more petechiae, while excess and heat conditions produce more petechiae. Deficiency and cold conditions produce fewer petechiae. Taking excessive medication, especially corticosteroids, makes it difficult to produce petechiae. Obesity and well-developed muscles make it difficult to produce petechiae. Yin meridians are less likely to produce petechiae compared to yang meridians. It is difficult to produce petechiae in low room temperatures.
4. During the scraping process, frequently inquire about the patient's sensations. If dizziness occurs, such as fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, nausea, cold sweat, palpitations, cold extremities, or a drop in blood pressure and confusion, stop scraping immediately. Comfort the patient, help them lie down, keep them warm, and offer warm water or sugar water. If the symptoms do not improve, gently press the water groove acupoint with the rounded corner of the gua sha tool, with light pressure to avoid edema after pressing. Use the draining scraping technique on the Baihui and Yongquan acupoints. After the patient's condition improves, continue scraping the Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints.
3. Post-treatment Precautions
1. Gua sha treatment opens the sweat pores and expels evil qi, which consumes part of the body's fluid. Therefore, after gua sha treatment, the patient should drink a cup of warm water and rest for a while.
2. After gua sha treatment, to avoid the invasion of wind cold evil, the skin pores must return to their normal state before bathing, which generally takes about 3 hours.
3. For patients with complex and critical conditions, gua sha treatment should be combined with other therapies, such as medication, to avoid delaying the treatment of the disease.
Graphic Illustration of Massage for Allergic Rhinitis
Relevant Acupoints: Yingxiang, Shangxing, and Hegu
1. Rubbing Yingxiang Acupoint
Quickly locate the acupoint: It is located on the midline of the outer edge of the nose, in the middle of the nasolabial groove.
Rationale for selecting the acupoint: It can relieve bronchial spasms, improve airway resistance, and treat bronchial asthma effectively.
Massage technique: Use the index fingertips of both hands to press and rub the Yingxiang acupoint, rubbing inward to outward for 36 rounds.
2. Pressing Shangxing Acupoint
Quickly locate the acupoint: It is located at the midpoint of the forehead, straight up from the anterior hairline.
Rationale for selecting the acupoint: Regulates the Du Meridian, dispels wind, and treats allergic rhinitis.
Massage technique: Use the index finger to press the Shangxing acupoint for 5 seconds, then release, and repeat 5 times.
3. Rubbing Hegu Acupoint
Quickly locate the acupoint: Hold the thumb and index finger together, and the highest point of the bulge is the Hegu acupoint.
Rationale for selecting the acupoint: Promotes blood circulation, relieves nasal congestion, dizziness, fatigue, and other symptoms.
Massage technique: Use the thumb and index finger of the left hand to rub the Hegu acupoint on the right hand up and down for 200 rounds, then use the thumb and index finger of the right hand to rub the Hegu acupoint on the left hand up and down for 200 rounds.
Daily Care Precautions for Allergic Rhinitis
1. Avoid Allergens
Pay attention to avoiding allergens and any factors that worsen your condition. It is best to wear a mask in winter and avoid direct contact with cold air. Check your home for potential allergens, such as food, paint, past renovations, and clothing, and remove them. Consider getting an allergen test to identify and avoid allergens at the root cause.
Lifestyle details:
(1) During seasons with high pollen or dust, keep car windows or room windows closed.
(2) Remove allergens, including pets, smoke, and even suspicious flowers, plants, or furniture.
(3) Use air conditioners with air purification filters to remove pollen (but they may not filter out dust).
(4) Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity, preferably to below 50%.
(5) Repair damp basements, ventilation openings, and bathrooms, and remove plants or flowers from indoors or balconies.
(6) Keep the indoor environment clean and dust-free to reduce allergens. Regularly use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning.
(7) Use hypoallergenic bedding, such as airtight mattresses and pillows, soft bed sheets, and pillowcases, and wash them with hot water every week. Avoid drying blankets and bed sheets outside as fungi and pollen can stick to them.
(8) Replace carpets with wood boards or tiles, especially fixed carpets. Avoid planting flowers or plants that require constant watering as moist soil favors fungal growth.
(9) Organize small items, such as books, music boxes, CDs, and stuffed animals, as they easily collect dust and can cause allergies.
(10) Avoid excessive use of medication to alleviate symptoms. If you experience acid reflux, avoid eating before bed and elevate your pillow. Take antacid medication under the guidance of a doctor if needed.
(11) Pay attention to nasal hygiene and regularly clean the nasal cavity.
(12) Increase outdoor physical exercise to enhance physical fitness.
2. Control Indoor Fungi and Mildew
Control indoor fungi and mildew, as fungi can release spores that cause allergic symptoms. They are widely present in various corners of people's lives, especially in humid environments such as basements and bathrooms. Common sources of fungi include household humidifiers, bathtubs, wet blankets, shower rooms, flowers and plants, old newspapers, and trash cans.
(1) Clean with bleach or other cleaning agents in the aforementioned bathrooms and trash cans.
(2) If clothing becomes moldy, dispose of it promptly or handle it appropriately to remove fungi.
(3) Maintain dryness. Pay attention to preventing dampness in carpets and keep books, newspapers, and clothes dry and ventilated. Food should also be stored properly to prevent mold growth.
(4) Keep rooms and balconies free from shade-loving plants that require regular watering, as moist soil can harbor a large number of fungi.
(5) Stay away from pets.
It is best for allergic rhinitis patients to avoid contact with and keep pets. Contrary to popular belief, the fur of animals is usually not the cause of allergies. However, the proteins in animal dander, saliva, and urine are easily allergenic and can enter the eyes, lungs, and nasal passages through the air. A single cat or dog can produce a large amount of allergenic substances per week. As both cats and dogs shed dander, when dealing with pets, consider the following:
① For allergic patients, the best approach is to avoid contact with pets, or minimize the duration of contact as much as possible.
② If you have to keep a pet, spend some time with other animals first to determine if you have any allergic reactions. Alternatively, consider keeping pets that do not have fur, such as turtles or fish.
③ Regularly clean the pet, and if necessary, let someone without allergic diseases help with bathing.
④ Clean the pet's cage. Allergens can still exist in the cage even months after the animal has been removed.
