The video above discusses NAET (Namburipad’s Allergy Elimination Technique). NAET is a type of “energy medicine” that essentially re-sets the body’s energy field to desensitize it to allergens. The NAET allergy desensitization is done using acupressure or sometimes acupuncture (with needles). Critics of this technique (who tend to be critics of any kind of health intervention not sanctioned by the AMA) will tell you that the entire premise of NAET is ridiculous and that it is pure quackery, plain and simple. Ten years ago, I would have told you the same thing. I had read about NAET and witnessed it being done, and I found the whole idea of it to be ridiculous.
About 8 years ago I attended a seminar that covered a lot of different healing methods, including chiropractic, massage, nutrition, and a technique called ASERT (Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and Reprogramming Technique). ASERT is based on NAET and is essentially a streamlined version of NAET. So, I was at the seminar, I learned the ASERT technique, and I thought it was completely ridiculous. I brought home my notes and a basic ASERT allergy test kit that I got at the seminar and put them away in my “Closet of Seminar Stuff” (that’s its official title).
About six months after the seminar, one of my patients who had been seeing me for chiropractic treatment came in and asked if I knew of anything that might help her allergies. She had “tried everything” – oral medications, herbal remedies, and even steroids with little relief. Since she had already done everything else I might have recommended, except for shots which take several months to a few years to take effect, I mentioned that I had learned this “weird technique” that I really didn’t think would help, but if she wanted to give it a try, I was willing to do the treatment on a “what the heck” basis. She was desperate and decided to try it. So, I pulled out my notes and test kit and did the procedure. She left and I went about the rest of my day without thinking much about it. The next morning, the patient called me and was thrilled at how much better she was feeling! And from there, my allergy desensitization services grew. The number of patients I see is somewhat seasonal, with “cedar fever” season (as mentioned in the video) being the busiest.
As with NAET, the ASERT method can be done using either acupressure or acupuncture. I have found laser acupuncture (done using a laser rather than needles to stimulate the acupuncture points) to be my preferred method because laser acupuncture is completely painless and can be done through most clothing. Dr. Nambudripad (the developer of NAET) makes some disparaging remarks about the laser-based treatments, based on contact she has had with some patients who did not get good results with that version of the treatment, who subsequently had good results with the needle or acupressure version. I believe that she has a somewhat skewed perspective because I have seen several patients who did not respond to NAET done with needles who did respond well to the ASERT technique I do with laser. What it comes down to is that some patients do better with one version versus the other. Either way, the majority of patients get good results.
In any event, I have changed my mind about NAET and I highly recommend it to anyone with allergies, particularly for people who have not been able to relieve their allergies with other natural or conventional medical treatments.
Because NAET has been around longer and the seminars have been better marketed than those for ASERT, there are far more NAET practitioners than ASERT practitioners, so it is far easier to find an NAET practitioner.