Beijing doctor uses acupuncture-derived needling to help pollen sufferers

A Beijing-based doctor is using a needling therapy derived from acupuncture — a skill passed down through her family — to help the city's pollen sufferers alleviate their autumn allergic rhinitis.

As the prevalence of allergies rises nationwide, this affordable traditional Chinese medicine treatment — practiced by Shu Ning at Dongdan Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic — also helps cut the overall economic burden that this disease places on society.

Each late summer through late autumn, pollen from weeds such as Humulus and Artemisia troubles Beijing residents. Tiny pollen particles trigger strong allergies, and sufferers lose sleep, with disrupted work-study performance and often misdiagnose rhinitis as stubborn colds.

Allergic rhinitis entails high socioeconomic costs — repeated hospital visits, recurring drug purchases, absenteeism and reduced learning efficiency among children — creating hidden economic losses for families and society.

Shu treats autumn rhinitis patients displaying these symptoms: sneezing, nasal itching, supine congestion and dizziness.

"Many confuse allergic rhinitis with colds. Recurrent autumn symptoms plus itchy eyes or asthma indicate rhinitis. Antibiotics are useless and harm gut health," Shu said.

Misused medicines also bring avoidable medical expenses.

Shu offers public health tips: close windows during high-pollen hours (5 am to 6 am), use saline nasal irrigation outdoors, and wear masks. She warns against long-term use of over-the-counter nasal sprays, which may cause medication-induced rhinitis and raise follow-up treatment costs.

For patients unresponsive to sprays and antihistamines, Shu applies the needling technique founded by her grandfather Li Xinwu in the late 1960s. Bypassing classic meridians, the needle goes 55 mm below the cheekbone to reach the sphenopalatine ganglion behind the nasal cavity.

"The ganglion is the nasal mucosa's command center," she said, noting that the therapy balances autonomic nerves rather than suppressing immunity. Many patients gain instant nasal relief after one session.

Shu added, "Compared with year-round continuous anti-allergy drugs, sphenopalatine ganglion needling is cost-effective for some patients, reducing long-term medication spending. It is no miracle cure, and effects vary individually."

Shu participated in drafting the national expert consensus standardizing its puncture points, depth and contraindications. Standardization enables this traditional Chinese medicine appropriate technology to expand to grassroots clinics, easing pressure on top hospitals, optimizing medical-insurance fund efficiency and cutting patients' travel-time costs.

Allergic rhinitis persists not only during pollen seasons, but can also be triggered by cold air and dust mites. Shu aims to combine the therapy with multidisciplinary tools.

Tang Jianguo also contributed to this story.

Please contact the writer at tanguoling@chinadaily.com.cn