"I have had surgery, I've gone to an allergist's office two times a week for shots," Marty said.
Both of them desperate for help they turned to acupuncture as a last resort and both said it worked.
"It absolutely mitigates the impact," Marty said.
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"It's just amazing to me it's like a 100% improvement," said Aniko.
Dr. Marshall Sager in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County practiced traditional medicine for years before becoming a certified acupuncturist. He said he's seen great success treating allergies with the ancient technique.
"If you believe that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself what acupuncture does is enhance that ability," said Dr. Sager.
But Dr. Edward Schulman, an allergist at Drexel University's College of Medicine, said there is no proof acupuncture can help allergy symptoms. He doesn't recommend it and said success is likely a placebo effect or people believing it works.
"There's an important power of suggestion. People have this ability to recall what it was like to be well," said Dr. Schulman.
Registered nurse and certified acupuncturist Cheryl Broad takes a slightly different approach. She uses what is called the "allergy elimination technique." Using a metal rod she said she is able to test a person's response to allergens. She said as the frequency is sent through the rod she tests the client's muscle strength.
"Is it okay which will be a strong muscle response or is it weak which would be a poor muscle response which would be an allergy," Cheryl said.
She then applies acupressure to the client's back to reprogram the body's negative response to the allergen, allegedly eliminating the allergy.
"That's it and your symptoms should go away," she said.
Aniko said Cheryl's treatments have been life changing.
"I'm not taking any meds at all," Aniko said. "I would say that she saved my life."
But Dr. Schulman is even more skeptical of that practice.
"I think buyer beware. Anytime there's a condition that affects people and there's no cure one will seek those who claim they have a cure," said Dr. Schulman.
But Dr. Schulman said there are very few risks for trying acupuncture. However, if you choose to do it, both he and acupuncturists said you should tell your doctor and try to work it into your overall therapy. In most cases acupuncture for allergies is not covered by insurance. One session can cost 75-dollars or more.
