Allergy Therapies

What are allergy therapies?

Allergies are over reactions of the body to substances such as dust, pollens and foods. The body mistakenly interprets the allergen as a threat and mounts a strong immune defense against it; a hypersensitivity reaction. It is a sign of an over-reactive immune system and that something is out of balance in the body.

How does it work?

As Naturopathic Physicians, the first thing we do is determine what is out of balance in the body. To treat your allergies, we look at five different elements to determine how to approach your treatment.

We start by identifying any food sensitivities you may have. Food sensitivity symptoms can look like feeling tired, achey or having digestive problems. To reduce allergies, you must reduce your overall toxic load, including any food sensitivities. 

1. Then, we look at digestion; if food isn’t being digested properly it can enter the bloodstream in larger than expected particles. When the body doesn't recognize these it launches an allergic attack on the threat. While we’re examining digestion, we also test for ‘leaky gut syndrome’ - damage to the small intestine as a result of an overuse of antibiotics, excessive alcohol or candida yeast overgrowth.

2. The third area we focus on is detoxification; reducing the toxic burden of chemicals in the body through a series of treatments.

3. Next, we examine your stress levels. Your stress levels can impact your allergies through the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands release stress hormones including epinephrine which protects a person from their allergies. When you have adrenal fatigue your adrenals are unable to release the protective stress hormone.

4. The final step is desensitization. This is placing very small amounts of dilute extracts of a specific allergen under your tongue in a controlled manner. This is considered a form of immunotherapy where we educate the immune system to recognize and not react to an allergen.

What conditions does it treat?

There are three types of allergies that affect most people and this type of allergy treatment is effective for treating all of them.

• Environmental/Inhalant allergies i.e. hayfever

• Food allergies i.e. peanuts

• Chemical sensitivities i.e. medications or household cleaners

What can I expect during a treatment?

What you can expect will be determined by what is out of balance in your body. Whether your treatment involves stress management or desensitization, your doctor will walk you through it and put you at ease every step of the way.

How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions or period of time that will be needed to complete your allergy therapy is dependent on what is determined to be out of balance in the body and the method chosen to correct it.

Our Approach

Throughout our treatments, we combine traditional and modern practices, extensive knowledge of the foundations of health and the gentle touch of someone who cares. The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine are our guiding light reminding us that every patient is unique so every treatment must be too; so, our first step is always getting a full picture of your whole health, physically, mentally and emotionally, to help us identify what is out of balance and determine a truly individual-to-you treatment plan.

We’re creative in our approach to healing and utilize all of the tools available to us including new technology, continued education and breakthrough treatments keeping us on the cutting edge of healthcare. However, we always come back to the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine and the knowledge and wisdom that has been handed down to us by our mentors and predecessors. That knowledge is woven into our practice everyday and continues to inspire us to stay true to our roots.