Allergies are an exaggerated adverse reaction of the immune system to a substance or situation that would not normally cause a reaction in most individuals. It is estimated that 15-30% of the population is affected by allergies and genetics plays a significant role. Traditionally, allergy is considered a imbalance of the immune system. The immune system perceives a particular substance (mold, pollen, chemical, food, etc) as a threat and responds accordingly. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system detects an allergen and produces antibodies which trigger the release of histamine, causing the allergic symptom.

The standard conventional allergy treatment is skin testing via scratching or injecting the allergen into the skin and assessing the response, and through blood tests. Treatment involves antihistamines to suppress symptoms and/or allergy antigen shots or immunotherapy.

NIHA Integrative, Holistic Approach to Allergy Treatment

At NIHA we understand allergies to be a condition which affects both the immune system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system, ANS, is the part of your nervous system responsible for all of the automatic functions in your body such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion, healing, etc. In the presence of underlying dysfunction, the ANS goes into a state of fight or flight in the presence of substances it perceives as harmful. This creates a hypersensitivity that can cause a variety of symptoms and complicate the healing process. When we think of allergies we generally think only of sneezes, hives, or watery eyes. In fact, allergies may cause a vast range of symptoms from fatigue and depression to constipation and headaches. Allergies can affect every major body system.

The unique comprehensive allergy treatment strategy at NIHA addresses both the immune response and the autonomic nervous system response to the allergen. During the testing phase we use a needle free biofeedback tool, Electrodermal screening, to scan the major body systems, identify allergens and establish the formulation for allergy serums. Allergy serums are the actual treatment for allergies. The serums cause the immune system to build up blocking antibodies that turn off the allergic response, and can even eliminate the allergy, given an appropriate length of treatment.

The main focus of treating the autonomic nervous system hypersensitivity is to retrain and calm this part of your nervous system. We have a variety of techniques to desensitize the body and prevent your nervous system from overreacting. We discover your allergies through biofeedback, and your body guides us to the most effective desensitization therapy for you.

The integrative, holistic approach to allergy treatment described above is enough in many cases, but sometimes there may be an underlying disturbance contributing to the body's tendency to overreact. We seek to also identify these root causes of allergy by looking further at possible sources of toxicity, and assessing functional disturbances of the body systems and structure.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The initial office visit at NIHA for allergy is a detailed history, physical and Electrodermal screening of the major systems of the body. Complete screening for molds, pollen, inhalants (dust, smuts, animal dander), phenol, glycerin, and TOE is given. If indicated, testing and treatment for chemicals, hormones, and foods will be administered. Electrodermal screening is a painless, non-invasive, needle free approach to identify the allergens. After this 3 hour visit, a clear picture of your health status and disturbances in your body which may contribute to allergy will emerge.

I. Allergy Treatment

Once the allergens have been identified, a treatment strategy will be developed based on serums. Electrodermal screening will also be used to formulate the correct dilution of your serum. Customized serums are delivered in the form of shots or oral drops and address the immunological component of allergies. On subsequent visits the patient will build up to the correct dosage of serums and their progress will be monitored. On average, patients report relief from allergy symptoms within 6-12 weeks of starting treatment. Once patients are safely tolerating the serum treatment they are allowed to self-administer at home, saving time, travel, and money.

At NIHA we believe that it is important to look at the whole body when dealing with chronic health issues such as allergy. There may be an underlying root cause of dysfunction contributing to allergies. The following may be assessed and included in your treatment strategy:

Eliminating Sources of Toxicity

Diet
Personal Care Products
Work and Home Environment
Dental Issues (root canals, infection, mercury)
Molds, chemicals, toxins, and water
Heavy Metals
Noxious energies (electromagnetic frequencies)
Bowel

Assessing Functional Disturbances

Gastrointestinal
Metabolic (hormonal, thyroid, adrenal)
Nutritional (nutrient assimilation, vitamin/mineral, electrolytes, fats, proteins, water,chronic infection)
Dys-oxygenosis

Assessing Functional Disturbances

Osteopathic
TMJ

Other methods of treatment that may be incorporated to desensitize and calm the body's response to allergens:

Allergy Elimination Therapy, AET
Photron Light Machine
Applied Psycho-Neurobiology, APN

II. Education

NIHA will educate and empower you to take charge of your health. NIHA may suggest lifestyle and dietary changes and help you understand the cause and effect of allergies. If you struggle with mold allergy, we will make it possible for you to evaluate your home or work environment for contributing factors. If food allergy is your challenge, we will teach you about dietary patterns that cause allergies and how to make helpful changes. We provide on-going health education lectures on diet and many other topics.

III. Nutrition

The right, nutrient rich diet for you will be important in your treatment. Particularly with food allergies we will teach you how to rotate foods and make changes to your diet. We will give you lists of good foods to eat and tell you where these foods can be purchased, and lists of foods to avoid. We will educate you about good fats, bad fats, vitamins, minerals, herbs, and enzymes and can provide many pharmaceutical grade supplements to support your body while you regain a healthy balance.

IV. Detoxification

Detoxification may be suggested as part of your allergy treatment if toxicity is found. Detoxification and rehabilitation of the bowel is essential to all healing as it restores balance in the gastrointestinal system. The presence of heavy metals, chronic infections, chemicals, or dental disturbances must be addressed as a possible root cause of an allergic reaction. NIHA has a complete program for detoxification and an on-site Rejuvenation & Detoxification Center offering many state-of-the-art therapies.

What to Expect from the Allergy Program

1. Initial Office Visit : The first office visit is approximately 3 hours. A thorough understanding of your family health history, a physical, and Electrodermal Screening will take place. Electrodermal screening, an electronic biofeedback system, will scan all major body systems for weaknesses, do allergen assessment, and do endpoint testing for customized allergy serum formulation. Complete screening for molds, pollen, inhalants (dust, smuts, animal dander), phenol, glycerin, and TOE is given. If indicated, testing for chemicals, hormones, and foods will take place. This is a non-invasive, needle free approach to allergen assessment.

2. Allergy Serum Workup : One week after your initial visit you will have a follow up appointment with a member of the clinical staff where you are given a small portion of your serums and assessed for your tolerance level. Working up to your full dose of serums, or maintenance level, may take a few weeks and it is a gradual process for the body. Once you have tolerated the full maintenance dose, you may take your serums home and self-administer. We will teach you how to self-administer your serums. This is safe and convenient for the patient.

3. Follow up Visit #1 after 10 weeks : At this 90 minute appointment the doctor will follow up on your progress. Electrodermal screening will be done to assess the effectiveness of your serums. Always bring your serums with you to the office. Your serum dilution will be tested to make sure it is still correct for you. If the serum is correct it can be reordered and there is no need for you to return for a workup. If the dilution needs to be changed, you will repeat the Allergy Serum Workup described above.

Reorder Process : The doctor will determine how many times you may reorder before being seen for a follow up visit. If you are not due for a follow up visit at the end of your current course of serums you should reorder approximately 2 weeks before you run out. This allows time for your serums to be made and mailed to you. If you are scheduled for an office visit at the end of your current course of serums, do not reorder. Your serum dilution may change and it is better to have a brief interruption in your treatment than reorder serums that may no longer be correct for you. No refunds will be granted on unused serums.

4. Follow up Visits : You will be seen for an office visit every 3 - 12 months depending on how often Dr. Solomon needs to reformulate your serums. As you progress in treatment you will be seen less often and in between visits you will just reorder serums at the recent formulation. If your allergy symptoms return that is a good indication that it may be time to reformulate.

Serum Quick Check : If there is a question about whether the strength of your serum needs to be changed, you may come into the office for a "quick check." You must do this at the time you are due for a dose of serum. Call for an available time; this is not an appointment with the doctor, you should specifically ask for a quick check. You must bring your serums with you in order to have a quick check. The doctor will perform a brief type of biofeedback to see if your serums need to be reformulated. The process takes about 5 minutes and there is no charge for a quick check. If your serums do need to be reformulated you will schedule an office visit. If not, you may just reorder.

A Note About Compliance : This type of allergy treatment therapy is highly effective; however, the number one reason why antigen therapy fails is lack of patient compliance. If you do not consistently take your serums, your immune system cannot effectively create blocking antibodies to stop the allergic process. Please carefully follow the instructions the doctor and her staff have given you. It takes an average of about 6-12 weeks for a patient to begin feeling the benefits; however, some patients report relief in as little as a few weeks.

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