Local acupuncturist is the only one in Mississippi who can treat Alpha-gal
Anyone with Alpha-gal Syndrome knows how all-consuming it can be. For ev- ery one of us who doesn't have this lifethreatening allergy, there is at least one person in our circle of acquaintances, and probably more, who does, especially here in the South.
Alpha-gal is short galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, which is a carbohydrate found in all mammals except primates. It's transferred to humans via ticks. The Lone Star and Deer Tick are the known culprits at this point; after they have bitten a cow, deer, or other mammal, it gets transferred to humans via their saliva. Once a person gets this carbohydrate in their system, over time an allergy to mammalian products and their byproducts can develop, and all sorts of reactions can happen in response.
Luckily, local acupuncturist Clare O'nan of Starkville Acupuncture can give treatments for Alpha-gal using Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT), which is a style of acupuncture that has been shown clinically to be very effective in helping with the symptoms of Alpha-gal.
SAAT involves the insertion of a tiny 3-mm needle into the ear; it is inserted sideways so it can't be felt to the touch. The needle is then covered with surgical glue and adhesives and is left in place for three weeks.
Although it is not a cure, O'nan says SAAT can help patients into remission.
“When people come to us and they start reintroducing meat back into their diet, they still may show up as positive for the allergy. So we don't call it a cure but rather that we put the allergy into remission where it takes away the symptoms,” said O'nan. “So people will come and it involves a tiny, tiny needle that goes in the ear that stays in there for three weeks. It's a combination of acupuncture and homeopathy. After three weeks, you come back and we retest you, and as long as you're negative, we work with you to very, very slowly reintroduce meat back into your diet.”
Not only can O'nan treat Alpha-gal using SAAT, she is the only acupuncturist in Mississippi who is certified to give the treatment. Clare is passionate about educating the public about Alpha-gal, as it is a condition that has gone under the radar for too long and has negatively affectfor