Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome Through the Lens of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM, L.Ac
- Mar 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 22
"My husband had alpha gal from a tick bite and couldn’t eat any dairy, beef, lamb or pork for several years and within a few months he has been totally cured of the alpha gal and can eat anything he wants again without having a reaction. I’m so grateful to Dr Joe for healing him!!!!" -Deena N.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is a tick-borne allergy that has been gaining more attention in recent years. It happens when certain ticks—like the Lone Star tick in the U.S.—introduce galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule found in most mammals, into the bloodstream. This can cause the immune system to overreact, leading to the production of IgE antibodies against alpha-gal. The result? An allergic reaction to mammalian products, often hours after consumption (Commins et al., 2009).
One of the most frustrating aspects of AGS is that it doesn’t follow the typical pattern of food allergies. Instead of immediate symptoms, reactions often show up 2-10 hours after eating red meat, dairy, or other mammalian byproducts. Symptoms range from mild—like hives, bloating, or digestive upset—to severe, including anaphylaxis. Factors like alcohol, exercise, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), and even recent tick bites can make reactions worse (Commins, 2020).
Right now, conventional medicine has no cure for AGS. Avoidance of trigger foods is the main strategy, along with carrying antihistamines or an EpiPen for emergencies. However, conventional medicine tends to overlook the bigger picture—like why some people are more reactive than others or why AGS seems to worsen over time. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture can offer a different, integrative approach to help regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and restore balance to the body.
TCM Perspective on Alpha-Gal Syndrome
From a TCM standpoint, AGS is a classic example of "Gu Syndrome" - a condition involving chronic immune dysfunction caused by lingering pathogens (He et al., 2020). Originally associated with parasitic infections, Gu Syndrome is now used to describe conditions like chronic Lyme disease, mold illness, and even AGS, where the body struggles to eliminate an internal “toxin” (in this case, alpha-gal) and remains stuck in an inflammatory cycle.
Tick Bites and Pathogen Entry in TCM
In TCM views AGS as an invasion of External Pathogenic Factors, particularly Damp-Heat Toxins, which disturb the harmony of the body’s organs and weaken the immune system. These external invaders enter through a tick bite and create Lingering Pathogenic Factors, meaning that the body struggles to fully clear the pathogen and remains hypersensitive long after the initial exposure.
Wind, Dampness, and Heat Interplay in AGS:
Wind represents the unpredictable, ever-changing nature of symptoms—sometimes mild, sometimes severe, sometimes appearing out of nowhere. Wind is often involved in allergic conditions, contributing to the sudden onset of symptoms such as hives, itching, and respiratory reactions.
Dampness contributes to lingering inflammation, sluggish digestion, a feeling of heaviness, and mucus accumulation. In AGS, Dampness often manifests as bloating, diarrhea, or swelling.
Heat manifests as inflammation, redness, and an overactive immune response. This can be seen in AGS patients who develop rashes, hives, or even anaphylactic reactions.
Over time, the presence of these pathogenic factors can weaken the body's Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), leading to a hyperreactive immune system and difficulty in detoxification. This imbalance may also deplete the Spleen, Liver and Kidney systems, causing fatigue, digestive disturbances, and hypersensitivity to environmental allergens beyond alpha-gal.
Pattern Differentiation and Treatment Approaches
TCM practitioners assess AGS patients through pattern differentiation, identifying imbalances such as:
Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness: Symptoms include bloating, loose stools, food sensitivities, and fatigue. The Spleen, responsible for digestion and energy production, struggles to process food efficiently, leading to excess Dampness and poor detoxification (Chen & Chen, 2004). Strengthening the Spleen and resolving Dampness is crucial for improving digestive function and reducing systemic inflammation.
Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat: Symptoms include hives, itching, headaches, mood swings, and stress-related symptom exacerbation. The Liver plays a key role in regulating Qi and detoxifying the body. When the Liver’s function is impaired due to stagnation, excessive Heat builds up, leading to inflammatory reactions and hypersensitivity to triggers like mammalian products (Wu, 2014).
Blood Deficiency and Wind: Patients experiencing systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis, neurological symptoms, tingling, or dizziness may require therapies that nourish the Blood and calm Wind. Blood Deficiency weakens the body's ability to anchor and stabilize the nervous and immune systems, making it more susceptible to sudden, severe allergic reactions (Bensky et al., 2004).
Kidney Yang Deficiency: Some AGS patients, particularly those with cold intolerance, chronic fatigue, or long-standing illness, may exhibit Kidney Yang Deficiency. This pattern results in metabolic sluggishness, weakened detoxification, and systemic coldness, further exacerbating food sensitivities and immune imbalances.
Acupuncture and SAAT for AGS
SAAT Acupuncture: SAAT is a specialized technique developed by Dr. Nader Soliman to address severe allergies and sensitivities. It involves a highly targeted, single-needle insertion in the auricle (outer ear) to modulate the immune system’s overactive response to specific allergens, such as alpha-gal.
The procedure begins with muscle testing or electrodermal screening to identify the allergen's energetic imprint on the body. Once the allergen is pinpointed, a single acupuncture needle is placed in a precise auricular point that corresponds to immune regulation. This needle remains secured with medical adhesive tape for three to four weeks. During this time, the body recalibrates its immune response, gradually desensitizing the patient to the identified allergen.
SAAT is highly effective in reducing or eliminating allergic responses to alpha-gal, dairy, and other mammalian byproducts. Many AGS patients report significant relief from their symptoms following treatment, sometimes achieving long-term tolerance. This method offers a unique advantage by requiring only a single treatment per allergen, unlike traditional desensitization therapies that may require multiple sessions over months or years (Soliman, 2017).
Traditional Body Acupuncture: Treatment focuses on strengthening digestion, improving immunity, and reducing inflammation. Research has shown that acupuncture can help stabilize mast cells, regulate histamine levels, and modulate inflammatory cytokines, which are critical factors in AGS symptom management (Deadman, Al-Khafaji, & Baker, 2007).
Holistic Lifestyle & Preventive Measures
Natural Tick Prevention: A blend of essential oils can serve as a natural tick repellent. The BiteBlock formula, which contains Geranium, Cedarwood, Thyme, Garlic, Lemongrass, Oregano, Eucalyptus Globulus, Clove Bud, Patchouli, Vetiver, Lemon Eucalyptus, Citronella, Neem, and Catnip, is effective in repelling ticks and other insects. Applying diluted essential oils to exposed skin or clothing before outdoor activities can help reduce tick exposure. Wearing protective clothing and performing thorough tick checks after outdoor exposure is also crucial.
Strengthening Wei Qi (Defensive Qi): Proper sleep, stress reduction, and movement practices like Tai Chi or Qigong help fortify the immune system.
Dietary Therapy: Avoiding mammalian byproducts while consuming warming, nourishing foods like bone-free broths, steamed vegetables, and properly prepared grains can aid digestion and reduce reactivity (Pitchford, 2002).
If you’re struggling with Alpha-Gal Syndrome and looking for a more holistic, root-cause approach to healing, consider exploring SAAT acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Schedule a consultation today to begin your personalized path toward relief and resilience.
Thank you for reading. If you relate to this experience or are navigating Alpha-Gal Syndrome, I’d be honored to guide and work with you on your healing journey. —Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM
References
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., & Stöger, E. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (3rd ed.). Eastland Press.
Chen, J., & Chen, T. (2004). Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press.
Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A Manual of Acupuncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.
Flaws, B. (2001). The Treatment of Modern Western Medical Diseases with Chinese Medicine: A Textbook & Clinical Manual. Blue Poppy Press.
He, J., Chen, H., Liu, H., & Zhang, Z. (2020). Gu Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 124(2), 15-28.
Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd ed.). North Atlantic Books.
Soliman, N. (2017). Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) for the Treatment of Food and Environmental Allergies. Journal of Alternative Medicine Research, 9(4), 245-252.
Wu, Y. (2014). Classical Chinese Medicine: Theory, Methodology, and Clinical Integration. Singing Dragon.
About Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM
Dr. Joe is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine based at True Acupuncture and Wellness in Franklin, Tennessee. He specializes in chronic pain, allergies, tick-borne illnesses, immune system imbalances, and gut health issues. Dr. Joe integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, SAAT acupuncture, and herbal medicine to provide personalized care that restores balance, enhances well-being, and offers lasting relief from complex and often misunderstood conditions.
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