Ah, springtime in Portland. A season when blooming flowers and warmer temperatures lure people out of winter hibernation.

But thousands of North westerners are tempted to stay indoors. This time of rebirth can be wretched for people like Laura Barbour.

"Sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes that sort of thing," she said.

Barbour is a seasonal allergy sufferer. It was so bad, she was only able to go to work and sleep. She tried over the counter treatments but had allergic reactions to the allergy medicine.

Barbour was tired of not living her life fully, so she turned to Dr. Loch Chandler, a naturopathic physician with Providence.

"There is technically no cure for allergies but what we can do is reduce people's stress," said Dr. Chandler.

While stress doesn’t trigger allergies, Dr. Chandler said it can make allergies worse.

He inserted needles in Barbour’s feet and face, acupuncture points to strengthen her body and reduce stress.

It’s part of a holistic approach that includes diet and exercise.

According to Dr. Chandler, his patients get better results through acupuncture, without the side effects of some over the counter medication.

"Some of the people we see, they don't want to deal with those side effects. They want a healthy lifestyle without the sedation or the fatigue you get from those medications," he said.

Barbour gets a couple treatments a month. She said her life has turned around.

“No more migraines, no more excema, no none of that," she said.