We have had a glorious week in the UK! Summer is finally starting to make an appearance but so are the dreaded sniffles and itchy eyes! Hay Fever is among the most common allergies with 15 million Britons currently suffering, expected to double to 32 million by 2030.
This is according to a report by Professor Jean Emberlin, of Allergy UK and Pollen UK, who claims that the mild winter, followed by a cold spell means that ‘pollen counts are likely to be two or three times higher than last year in many areas including cities, where air pollution causes more potent reactions to pollen’.
She said: “As the urban population rises over the next 20 years, we can expect to see the number of Hay Fever sufferers double if not more.”
Allergy UK are raising awareness of Hay Fever and other allergies this week by hosting a range of activities for Allergy Awareness Week (click here to find out more).
The summer-spoiling symptoms of Hay Fever are caused by inflammation of the sinuses due to an allergic reaction to pollen.
Your immune system thinks it has come into contact with a harmful agent, meaning it overreacts and produces immunoglobulins which release the chemicals that irritate your nose, throat and eyes.
There are many drugs, antihistamines and nasal sprays on the market claiming to help Hay Fever sufferers, however many can result in side effects like drowsiness.
More organic and less medicinal methods of treating Hay Fever are becoming popular with herbal remedies on the market to combat the negative side effects often related to many antihistamines and nasal sprays.
The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can also help treat the seasonal disorder without the unwanted secondary effects.
Rather than ‘making’ the body change, Bowen ‘asks’ the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.
During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.
Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.
The movements encourage lymphatic drainage which helps with the breathing and sensory difficulties associated with Hay Fever.
For more information on Bowen Therapy and the BTPA visit the website here.
To find a BTPA certified Bowen therapist near you, click here.