Acupuncture Could Help Seasonal Allergies, Typical Session is $100 (VIDEO)

Mounting evidence suggests that acupuncture could help seasonal allergies, including a runny noses to watery eyes, according to a new study. However, the benefits seem to be rather small, according to reports.

Researchers found that 71 percent of people reported an improvement in their allergies after eight weeks of acupuncture. However, 56 percent of allergy sufferers who were also treated with sham acupuncture also found the same benefits.

"It works, but there are a couple of caveats (for) people who might think of using it," said Dr. Harold Nelson, who treats allergies at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado.

For example, "This is pretty invasive, particularly when you compare it to something like spraying a nasal steroid in your nose once a morning," he told Reuters Health. It's also more time consuming, and requires finding a qualified, licensed acupuncturist, he noted.

"I wouldn't personally go that route," he said.

Studies show that people with allergies would likely notice about a half-point change on the symptom scale in their daily lives, according to researchers - the difference between the real and sham acupuncture groups after eight weeks in the current study.

A typical session runs for about $100 and is often not covered by health insurance.

Researchers aren't sure why it might help people with seasonal allergies, other than its possible beneficial effect on the immune system.

Nelson, who wasn't involved in the new study, said antihistamines might not have been the best drug comparison for acupuncture - since daily use of nasal steroids is better at preventing symptoms.

For people with allergies, "I would suggest they use conventional medication on a daily basis, and I certainly prefer nasal steroids over antihistamines," he said.

As for the benefits of acupuncture for your allergies, looks like it might be a bit of a coin toss up. 

To find out more about the study, visit the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, online February 18, 2013.

Want to see more on "The Science of Acupuncture?" Check out this video, courtesy of The Huffington Post.