As most of you know, I am perpetually fascinated with auricular (ear) medicine. The ear offers both insight into the state of the body and a convenient treatment location. 

This fall I attended three auricular-based trainings. Each was inspiring, and added many new skills to my practice. One was a continuation of German Auricular Medicine, another was about adding electric stimulation into auricular acupuncture treatments, and the third was the Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT). I will be covering all of the methods in coming issues of the newsletter, but in this issue, I will focus on SAAT.

SAAT is a powerful auricular acupuncture technique that was developed by Nader Soliman, M.D. It often completely clears or significantly reduces allergy and sensitivity symptoms by reprograming the immune system to not react to allergens. Each allergen is addressed with one needle in a precise location that is specific to each individual. Several allergens can be treated in one visit. The needles are retained in the ear for 3-4 weeks, and are secured with a natural, medical adhesive and plaster, making them unobtrusive and very easy to tolerate.

What does SAAT treat?

• Allergies—pollen, mold, cat, dog, egg, shellfish, nuts, etc.
• Food, toxin, and environmental sensitivities—gluten, dairy, medications, chemicals, fragrances, etc.
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome—a syndrome where histamine is over-produced and accumulates, causing chronic allergies.
• Alpha Gal Syndrome—a tick-borne illness causing an allergy to red meat

Allergy vs. sensitivity vs. intolerance

In the previous issue of the Red Clover Clinic Newsletter, I gave an overview of how to think about allergies. In this issue, I will get slightly more scientific and differentiate allergy vs. sensitivity vs. intolerance. 

An allergy is an exaggerated response by the immune system to a foreign substance. The immune system mischaracterizes the substance as a threat. Repeated exposure to the substance triggers formation of antibodies. During subsequent exposure, the allergen will bind to its specific antibody, which triggers mast cells to release chemical mediators, such as histamine, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Histamine is what causes the immune reaction and leukotrienes and prostaglandins trigger a prolonged inflammatory response. An allergic reaction typically happens quickly (within 2 hours) after exposure to the allergen. The symptoms can involve the skin, the respiratory system, and the gastrointestinal system.

A food, toxin, or environmental sensitivity does not involve antibodies, and we don’t have a good understanding of the mechanism of the sensitivity reaction. It is presumed to involve the immune system. The reaction can start within hours or up to two days after exposure to a substance. Symptoms include headache, anxiety, depression, fatigue, flushing, joint pain, muscle aches, and others.

A food intolerance also doesn't involve antibodies. It is due to a deficiency in digestive enzymes. Lactose intolerance is the most common intolerance that most people are aware of. Food intolerances are felt in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms are corrected by consuming the missing enzymes. 

SAAT is very effective, at least 95%, at treating both allergies and sensitivities. Approximately 80% of people with an intolerance will have some response to the SAAT treatment. 

Allergic Load

SAAT is a remarkable technique for people dealing with multiple sensitivities, as it can bring down the allergy load. This will help the body to heal and tolerate living in a world full of potential allergens and toxins, and bring back enjoyment of foods and a variety of activities. 

It is important to note that if a food allergen has caused an anaphylactic reaction, the goal of SAAT is not to reintroduce the food into the diet, rather, it is to minimize or eliminate the reaction to an accidental exposure to the food.

I have been practicing this method for 6 weeks at the time this newsletter is published, and I have already had reports of less inflammation, decreased histamine reactions, and more balanced hormones. There is great potential to treat complex issues like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Alpha Gal Syndrome, long COVID, and many autoimmune conditions. In the next issue of the newsletter, I plan to discuss the tick-borne illness Alpha Gal Syndrome.

Very soon I will be adding a separate appointment type for SAAT. For the time being, we are making it work with our current scheduling structure. If you’re wondering if this type of treatment might be a good fit for you, feel free to ask!