Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question below to display the answer.
The word “allergy” comes from the Greek allos, meaning “other”. It was first used in 1906 to refer to an “altered reaction” in the body’s immune system. Today the use of the word “allergy” has become a generic term used by the public to describe any allergy, sensitivity or intolerance.
An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to a substance that is harmless. It is a physiological error where the body reacts negatively and inappropriately to stimuli such as foods, airborne particles and other stimuli. This can occur through contact with the skin, inhalation, injection or ingestion of the substance.
The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system can mistakenly read a substance such as mold, pollen, dust, pet dander or a food as harmful. The body will react by creating a specific antibody to the allergen which it perceives as a threat. The next time the individual is exposed to the allergen, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, such as histamines, in order to protect the body.
These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, the skin or the cardiovascular system. This can cause itching, swelling, coughing, sneezing, mucus production, hives, rashes, muscle spasms, digestive disorders, elimination disorders, breathing problems and other symptoms, which vary from person to person. The most extreme reaction is a condition called anaphylaxis which is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction.
Conventional western medicine has several methods for testing allergies. Traditional allergy testing and treatments can be painful and expensive. These include the “Intra-dermal test,” “Patch test,” Scratch test,” and various blood tests such as the “RAST test” and the “ELISA test.” These can identify dozens of allergens from one test or from one blood sample.
The standard medical treatment includes drug therapy using either antihistamines or steroids to control allergic symptoms. Standard medical treatments range from avoidance of the substance to a long term course of allergy shots. The treatments are designed to desensitize you to the allergen or to mask or reduce the symptoms with antihistamines and other drugs. Unfortunately, this does not address the underlying problem.
At Midwest Allergy Relief Centers, we specialize in Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT).
Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is a non-invasive treatment that effectively addresses the many symptoms caused by allergies and sensitivities. It is a therapeutic approach that was developed from over 15 years of clinical research, reconditioning the body to respond more appropriately to harmless substances. The success of the treatment is attributed to the extensive knowledge base and in-depth study of the allergens and offending agents, allowing for the treatment of a broad range of symptoms.
AAT merges 21st century science with 3,000-year-old Traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure principles to create a non-invasive, drug-free treatment. Rather than treating the symptoms, we treat the problem at its source by retraining the body so that it no longer reacts inappropriately to the allergen. Once treated, patients can recommence contact with the substance that had previously caused the allergic reaction or sensitivity.
The AAT treatment does not rely on the use of needles, medications, homeopathy, herbal remedies or supplements. The treatment is safe, painless, effective and gentle enough for infants.
AAT treats the symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities by reducing the biological stress caused by the offending substance. We use gentle acupressure to stimulate points on the back which correspond with the major organ systems. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, this stimulation relaxes the body and temporarily strengthens each of the major organ systems. During treatment, a digital representation of the substance is introduced to the surface of the skin. You do not feel this signal. Acupressure stimulation is then applied to reduce the stress load caused by the substance. Thus, the patient is simultaneously exposed to very subtle and safe levels of a digital signal representing the specific allergen as well as to an acupressure massage. The body associates the positive stimulus of the massage with the exposure of the allergen and no longer perceives it as harmful.
The degree of stress on organ systems, caused by an allergen or sensitivity, is proportional to the degree of the negative reaction. By easing the stress on the organ system involved, the related symptoms are reduced, allowing for a positive conditioning effect.
With this therapeutic breakthrough, AAT does not rely on the use of painful shots, acupuncture needles, medications, herbal remedies or supplements. The AAT treatment is safe, painless, effective and gentle enough for infants.
We treat any sensitivity or inappropriate allergic reaction, from foods such as dairy, wheat, sugar, corn and fruits to airborne allergens such as pollens, grass, pollution, dogs and cats. We even successfully treat for stimuli such as sunlight, motion sickness, and barometric pressure. We also treat for allergic reactions to medications and vaccines.
To be more specific, a sensitivity can cause symptoms in any organ system in the body. Some systems are prone to reacting to certain families of allergies or substances, such as the respiratory system reacting to pollen. However, a substance may affect any organ system, which could cause a multitude of symptoms varying from case to case. For example, a reaction to wheat may cause hives in one person, digestive issues in another, fatigue, wheezing or Acid Reflux all in different patients. AAT addresses the specific organ systems affected by the allergen or offending substance. For example:
Digestive System
Reactions include Acid Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), abdominal and intestinal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and vomiting. Primarily caused by food allergens or other ingestants.
Respiratory System
Symptoms include hay fever, wheezing, asthma, skin conditions, rashes and itchy, watery eyes. Reactions may be caused by allergies/sensitivities to pollens, dust, food, chemicals and animals (including dog and cat dander and bird feathers), air-borne substances and contactants.
Dermatological
Symptoms may include eczema, skin rashes, hives, blisters and atopic dermatitis. The main cause of dermatological reactions is allergies/sensitivities to food but can also be caused by allergies to plants, contactants and chemicals.
Headaches and Migraines
Migraines and headaches are often caused by allergies/sensitivities to food such as chocolate and caffeine, airborne irritants such as pollens and chemicals including household cleaners, perfumes and vehicle fumes.
Tiredness and Fatigue
Many reactions result in lethargy and feelings of fatigue. Tiredness can also occur at certain times of the day, such as in the afternoon after eating.
Multiple Systems
Allergies/sensitivities affect multiple systems in the body, resulting in headaches, irritability, hyperactivity, mood swings, fatigue, tachycardia, or inflammation. In children such reactions can manifest as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is often accompanied with redness around the eyes and nose and repetitive behavior patterns.
General Substances and Stimuli
- Chemicals we come into contact with daily, such as, household cleaners, perfumes, building materials, detergents, fabric softeners, pesticides.
- Occupational Allergies such as latex or building materials
- Animals such as dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.
- Stimuli such as changes in heat, cold and humidity/dampness
AAT has treated tens of thousands of patients for more than a decade with long term results in the vast majority of cases. There are many variables in human physiology as well as the complexities of allergens; however, the overall success rate is extremely high particularly compared to other forms of allergy treatment. The AAT body of research is always expanding and the success rate continues to increase.
Allergies can be complicated. For example, a person may have a reaction after eating strawberries, but if treated for strawberries, the symptoms still remain. The true allergy or sensitivity might be a specific component of strawberries which, when treated, will eliminate the reaction. AAT is able to address the allergic component specifically and is therefore very successful. Some conditions are relatively simple to treat with a very high success rate, such as sinusitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, hay fever, lactose sensitivity and wheat sensitivity. Unusual conditions that are not normally associated with allergy or sensitivity can often benefit from treatment, such as ADD, ADHD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, heat rash, joint pain, hives and more. Asthma is usually improved if allergies or sensitivities are contributing.
Another example is cat allergies. Some people will no longer react when treated specifically to cat dander. Yet others do not respond to the treatment. The key is to find the exact substance that the body is identifying as a threat. For those people who still react to cats after treatment, an additional substance may be contributing, such as a glandular oil protein or a specific protein in cat saliva. Another treatment may be required to address this aspect of the sensitivity.
Similarly, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can be treated if the causes are allergies or food sensitivities. These conditions can have significant improvement but may be difficult to eliminate completely. Treatment may also be complicated by multiple symptoms, some of which may not be the result of an allergy. In addition, some sufferers have more than one substance contributing to one specific allergy symptom. This compounds the challenge in identifying the correct substance responsible for the reaction. AAT conducts extensive, on-going research to increase the number of complicated allergies treated successfully.
The total length of the treatment program varies greatly from one individual to another, depending on the number of specific allergies and the overall intensity of the allergic condition.
The AAT technique allows for one primary allergen (along with all of its components and subcomponents) to be treated per visit. For example, dog and cat are two separate families. Pollen, grass, peanuts, and dairy are four separate families. We must treat each allergen family separately so that the treatments hold. We want a complete and permanent resolution of your allergies and sensitivities.
The number of treatments required for long term relief of a reaction to an allergen may vary not only between patients, but between different allergens with the same patient. The more severe the patient's reaction to a substance, the greater the likelihood that more than one treatment will be required to achieve lasting success. Usually a single treatment per allergen family is all it takes. Rarely are more than two treatments per allergen family needed. Our experience has been that the average case involves 6 to 12 treatments. Most patients come two or three times a week until their issues resolve. Thus the average patient is seen for a few weeks, not a few months or years.
As in all forms of health care, there are no guarantees; however, a high percentage of our patients respond favorably to the treatment on a long term basis and usually don’t need follow-up visits.
AAT does not diagnose and cure allergies, sensitivities or intolerances. The AAT system assesses what may be causing a stress to the body. If that stress manifests as an allergy or sensitivity, we treat it through gentle acupressure stimulation. The treatment is highly effective in providing long-term relief from symptoms associated with allergies or sensitivities.
We also can’t guarantee that you won’t develop new allergies in the future. We have seen patients that have developed new allergies even in their 70’s and 80’s. It is important to address your total health and lifestyle to assure your continuing good health.
AAT cannot guarantee any results. While AAT can provide relief for many symptoms caused by allergies or sensitivities, some cases do not respond. However, most of the treatments provide significant and long-term relief. Unfortunately, human beings can develop new sensitivities or allergies at any age which may require additional treatments.
At the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers, we believe your quality of life is just as important as your allergy treatments. We specialize in AAT, because it is able to offer fast, long-term relief of the symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities, allowing the patient to be exposed to the substance without the reactions they had previously suffered and without any side effects that may come with other treatments.
In contrast, conventional allergy treatments can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. For people with multiple allergies/sensitivities, conventional treatment recommends avoiding the allergens. However, particularly with food, that requires a heavily restricted diet. Drugs, such as antihistamines, may relieve symptoms of environmental allergies but do not address the cause of the reaction, so once the sufferer stops using the drugs, the symptoms typically return. Additionally, aside from the short term nature of drug-based treatment, many people suffer side-effects from drug use, whether prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs. The long term effects of the use of these drugs on the body are unknown.
The other most common conventional allergy therapy involves desensitizing the patient to allergens through a series of injections over many months and sometimes years, often with mixed results. At the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers, our specialization in Advanced Allergy Therapeutics, results in relief of symptoms within hours or days, not months or years. Most patients experience relief within 24 hours and the benefits are long term.
From the moment you enter our facility, our warm, caring, and attentive staff welcomes you. We want your experience to be as comforting, encouraging, and reassuring as possible. We want you to Live Life, Symptom Free.
Since an average case will involve 6 to 12 treatments, we have out-of-state patients stay at a local hotel and are treated twice a day for a week. Although we can only treat one allergen family at a time, you can be treated twice in one day if there is a three-hour window between treatments. This approach is helpful for people who come from long distances.
The first visit can last 45 to 60 minutes. We either email or send you in advance the office forms you need to read and complete before your first visit. After an initial consultation, you will have a detailed clinical examination of all major allergens shown on the New Patient Information Form we send to you. You will also receive a treatment on your initial visit.
Do not smoke, apply perfume or cologne, drink caffeine or alcohol, or take drugs (other than those prescribed by your physician) at least two hours before your visit. These can affect the testing and treatment. Also, do not eat candy or chew gum during treatment.
Everyone is unique and reacts differently to the same allergens. Some people feel more energy. Some find instant relief. Some patients do not feel any difference right after treatment. In most cases, patients feel symptom relief within 24 hours for the allergen family treated.
Yes. AAT is perfectly safe for pregnant women and we have treated many pregnant women, including our own staff and our own daughter when they were pregnant.
Yes, absolutely. AAT is safe and effective for patients of all ages. We consider it a privilege to treat children and one treatment may positively transform their health for the rest of their lives. And, we may be the only doctor that your children will love coming to!
- We provide a safe environment
- There is no pain (in fact, the gentle pressure on their back is so soothing many children ask us to treat their stuffed animals!)
- We have toys, games, etc. for children to play with while they are being treated
- Easy for parents since there are no medications or creams to deal with
- It works!
The Midwest Allergy Relief Center also provides a safe, unsupervised playroom complete with toys, coloring books, and DVD’s for children waiting while their parents or siblings are being treated.
No. We do not treat anaphylaxis or life-threatening allergies. While the average person can come into contact with an allergen that needs multiple treatments and have little effect, anaphylaxis is too extreme a reaction to take lightly.
No. AAT (Advanced Allergy Therapeutics) is not N.A.E.T (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques). N.A.E.T. utilizes homeopathic solutions. AAT is an advanced proprietary technology only available from authorized and trained, licensed healthcare professionals. All AAT practitioners must hold a medical license in one of the following areas: allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, oriental medicine, or chiropractic medicine. Each practitioner utilizes the same protocols and administers the same technique.
AAT is currently considered an elective procedure similar to LASIK eye surgery or certain dental procedures, so the patient will be responsible for paying for the treatments. We can provide a receipt that you may send to your insurance company. If you have a Health Savings Account, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
The initial visit is $195 and follow up visits are $95. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and personal checks. The value received from the AAT treatments far outweighs the cost incurred by shots, allergy medications, your time away from family and work and the side effects suffered from conventional treatments.
Just call our office at 847-392-7901 to schedule your appointment. You may not know it yet, but a life-changing experience awaits you!
|
