Nice testimonial from a patient with allergies

Just for something different, I thought I'd share with you a testimonial from a patient I've been treating for allergic rhinitis. I received it yesterday and it hopefully speaks for itself. In this particular case, I started with acupuncture alone, and then added Astra Essence, an overall tonic with astragalus to strengthen the lung, as a daily tonic.

I developed allergies to cats and dogs about 30 years ago. I tried allergy shots for a year and they did not seem to help. When I went to friends' houses, I had to take a Zyrtec or Claritin, found that the pills did not always work and also found that they made me feel drowsy and a little off -- just when I'd most like to socialize. You're not supposed to drink when you take those medications, so wine with dinner was a problem.

Over the years, the allergies seemed to be getting worse. Feeling that this was all headed in the wrong direction, I wondered whether acupuncture could help when shots and pills had not. I didn't have much to lose. Dr. Sparrow's experience with her own allergies and acupuncture sounded promising and I liked the fact that she is a trained physician.

Dr. Sparrow has a great manner and is easy to talk to. She explained that the theory is that acupuncture and herbs can help to strengthen and balance your immune system. This made sense, because the medical research links allergies to immune system response.

Most importantly, the acupuncture and herbs are working for me. After just the first few treatments, I have been able to take no pills and still go comfortably to homes of friends with cats and dogs. After a year, it's even better. Dr. Sparrow advises not to challenge one's system too much, so I am still careful but I just don't have to be as careful (or drugged) as I was before. What a relief! As a side bonus, I have not had a cold or other illness in about a year (despite a heavy air travel schedule).

To give the blog readers a break from the academics and harangues about institutionalized medicine... For more information about my practice please click here.
If you have any questions or comments about this case or others please let me know in comments!

The cost-effectiveness of acupuncture:German Studies.

In Washington DC this week, President Obama has been having a summit on Health Policy related issues.
In regards to cost containment and effectiveness issues, I would like to highlight a series of studies performed in Germany on the cost effectiveness of acupuncture for a variety of common conditions.
We have to keep in mind, that in Germany, unlike the U.S., the government has a vested interest in keeping the population well because of the universality of their health coverage, unemployment benefits, and sick pay. But the WHO has determined a level of cost-effectiveness for all geographical areas in the world regardless of their particular health policies. The German series uses these preset values in evaluating acupuncture treatment.
(For more information about my practice, please click here.)


Quality of life and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with osteoarthritis pain.
Eur J Health Econ. 2008 Aug;9(3):209-19.
"The degree of cost-effectiveness was influenced by gender, with female patients achieving a better cost-effectiveness ratio than men. In conclusion, acupuncture was a cost-effective treatment strategy in patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain.

Pragmatic randomized trial evaluating the clinical and economic effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic low back pain.
Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Sep 1;164(5):487-96.
"Acupuncture plus routine care was associated with marked clinical improvements in these patients and was relatively cost-effective."

Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic neck pain.
Pain. 2006 Nov;125(1-2):107-13. Epub 2006 Jul 13.
"According to international cost-effectiveness threshold values, acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment strategy in patients with chronic neck pain."

Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with headache.
Cephalalgia. 2008 Apr;28(4):334-45.
"According to international cost-effectiveness threshold values, acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment in patients with primary headache."

Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in women and men with allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled study in usual care.
Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Mar 1;169(5):562-71.
"Acupuncture, supplementary to routine care, was beneficial and, according to international benchmarks, cost-effective."

I think you get the idea.

We are grateful to the following team: Witt CM, Reinhold T, Jena S, Brinkhaus B, Willich SN at the Departments of Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics at the Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany for performing the above studies.