SAAT for Alpha-Gal Syndrome in NYC: A New Acupuncture Approach to a Difficult Allergy
Alpha-Gal Syndrome can be a strange allergy to live with.
Unlike most food allergies, reactions may not happen immediately. Someone may eat beef, pork, lamb, dairy, gelatin, or another mammalian product and feel completely fine—only to develop symptoms several hours later.
And for some people, those reactions can be serious.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome, or AGS, is an acquired allergy to a sugar molecule called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, commonly called alpha-gal. It is strongly associated with tick bites, particularly bites from the lone star tick. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, gastrointestinal distress, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Reactions often appear approximately 2–6 hours after exposure, which can make the connection difficult to recognize at first.
SAAT is interesting because it is very different from a standard acupuncture treatment—but the research is also still early. Here's what we currently know.
Alpha-Gal Is Relevant in NYC, Too
Alpha-Gal sometimes gets associated with more southern states, but it is very much a New York concern.
The New York State Department of Health reports that New Yorkers are diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome every year, particularly on Long Island, where lone star ticks are common. The lone star tick is now established on Long Island and in parts of New York City.
That means exposure can happen much closer to the city than many people realize—whether you live on Long Island, spend weekends outside the city, hike, garden, travel throughout the Northeast, or simply spend time in areas where ticks are present.
A diagnosis should come from an allergist or healthcare provider familiar with Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Diagnosis generally includes your history, symptoms, physical evaluation, and an alpha-gal-specific IgE blood test. A positive blood test alone does not necessarily mean someone has clinical AGS.
What Is SAAT?
SAAT stands for Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment.
It is a specialized form of auricular—or ear—acupuncture developed by Dr. Nader Soliman.
Unlike a regular acupuncture treatment where multiple needles are inserted and removed during the visit, SAAT uses a very small retained acupuncture needle placed at a highly specific point in the ear associated with the allergen being addressed.
The location is individualized rather than using the same point for every person.
Once placed, the tiny needle is secured and typically remains in the ear for approximately three weeks, providing continuous stimulation before it is removed. This is the protocol used in the published Alpha-Gal research as well.
The proposed idea behind SAAT is that prolonged auricular stimulation may alter the body's reactivity to a particular allergen. Exactly how SAAT produces this effect biologically has not yet been discovered.
What we do have is some interesting early clinical evidence.
What Does the Research Say About SAAT for Alpha-Gal?
The study most often discussed in connection with SAAT and Alpha-Gal was published in Medical Acupuncture in 2021.
Researchers retrospectively reviewed 137 patients with significant Alpha-Gal-related mammalian meat and/or dairy allergy who underwent SAAT at two clinics.
Among the 126 patients for whom researchers had follow-up outcome data, 121—about 96%—reported that their symptoms were in remission following SAAT. No adverse reactions attributed to the auricular acupuncture treatment were reported.
What Does an SAAT Session for Alpha-Gal Look Like?
We begin with a detailed intake, including your Alpha-Gal history, known reactions, relevant allergy testing, medications, history of anaphylaxis, and the foods or products you currently avoid.
The appropriate auricular point is then identified and a very small specialized acupuncture needle is placed beneath the superficial skin of the ear and secured.
The needle stays in place for approximately three weeks.
During this period, the allergen being treated should continue to be avoided, and you should continue following the instructions given to you by your allergist or medical provider.
After the treatment period, the needle is removed and your response is reassessed.
SAAT is a very different experience from a traditional full-body acupuncture session. The needle is tiny, and once secured, many people barely notice it during normal daily activities.
Preventing Another Tick Bite Still Matters
This may actually be one of the most important parts of Alpha-Gal care.
Additional tick bites can increase or reactivate sensitivity, which is why both the CDC and New York State emphasize preventing future tick exposure.
That means continuing to think about tick protection even if your symptoms improve.
For New Yorkers, this becomes particularly relevant with travel to Long Island, the Hudson Valley, wooded areas, hiking trails, parks, gardens, and other environments where ticks may be present.
Alpha-Gal treatment should never make tick prevention feel less important.
SAAT for Alpha-Gal in NYC
If Alpha-Gal has changed what you can eat, where you feel safe eating, or how much you worry about accidental exposure, we can talk through whether SAAT makes sense as another tool in your care.
Sources
Bernal M, Huecker M, Shreffler J, Mittel O, Mittel J, Soliman N. Successful Treatment for Alpha Gal Mammal Product Allergy Using Auricular Acupuncture: A Case Series. Medical Acupuncture. 2021;33(5):343–348.
New York State Department of Health. Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS). New York State notes that AGS cases occur throughout the state and that the lone star tick is established on Long Island and in parts of NYC.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alpha-gal Syndrome. Current guidance on diagnosis, avoidance, tick-bite prevention, and emergency management.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome can cause anaphylaxis. SAAT is an emerging complementary acupuncture technique and is not an established cure for Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Severe allergic reactions require immediate emergency treatment.
