SAAT Acupuncture • Ballina, NSW
Difficult to Treat Allergies and Sensitivities?
Including Alpha-Gal Syndrome & MCAS
Soliman’s Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) helps with allergies, intolerances and autoimmune conditions.
Patients travel here from all over NSW and Queensland.
What is SAAT?
SAAT is an ear acupuncture technique developed by Dr Nader Soliman, MD. A very fine needle is placed at a specific point on the ear for each allergen being addressed, and it stays in place for about three weeks. The aim is to help the body respond less strongly to that trigger.
Evidence It Works?
The most cited study is a retrospective case series involving 137 patients with alpha-gal syndrome showing 96% remission 6 months after treatment .
What can SAAT be used for?
People most often seek SAAT for the following. Results vary from person to person, and SAAT is not a substitute for allergy testing or medical care.
Alpha-gal Syndrome
Reactions to red meat, dairy or gelatin hours after eating, often following a tick bite. Read about SAAT for alpha-gal syndrome.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Flushing, hives and gut upset triggered by food, heat or scent. One option some people explore alongside medical care. Learn more about MCAS.
Environmental allergies
- Hay fever and pollen (tree, grass and weed) allergy
- Grass pollen allergy
- Dust mite allergy
- Mould allergy
- Pet dander (cats, dogs, horses) allergy
If dealing with mould, ongoing exposure can keep the body reactive (see my mould exposure guide)
Food allergies and sensitivities
- Peanut allergy
- Nut allergy
- Dairy allergy
- Egg allergy
- Wheat allergy
- Soy allergy
- Shellfish allergy
- Mollusk allergy
Had a life-threatening reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to a food? You’ll still need to avoid it and keep your emergency medication in place.
Food intolerances
- Fructose intolerance
- Lactose intolerance
- Gluten intolerance
- Histamine intolerance
- Sulfite intolerance
- MSG sensitivity
A food intolerance is not a true allergy. It is a gut-based reaction rather than an immune one. The evidence here is limited, so I’ll be upfront about what is realistic.
Chemical and fragrance sensitivities
- Artificial fragrances
- Air fresheners and deodorizers
- Cleaning products
- Petroleum and combustion fumes
- New product VOCs
- Food preservatives and additives
Some people also seek SAAT who have multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)
How does SAAT work?
- Assessment. We go through your history, triggers and any testing you already have.
- Treatment. A fine needle is placed in the ear for each allergen being addressed.
- Three weeks at home. The needles stay in place with medical tape.
- Free check-in at three weeks. We review how you’re going.
- Removal. The needles can be removed at home.
At your first appointment I take a full history and look at which triggers matter most for you, along with any allergy testing you already have. We agree on up to four allergens to address in the initial treatment. A very small, fine needle is then placed at a precise point on the ear for each allergen and held in place with medical tape. Once it is in, most people can’t feel it.
SAAT is available to adults. If you’re thinking of it for a child, or you are pregnant, please contact me first.
How much does SAAT cost?
Initial treatment: $500 Special OfferPrices will increase soon
Includes your first allergen.
Additional allergens: $50 each
Up to 4 allergens in total. Four allergens is $650.
Follow-up treatments: $200
The check-in at three weeks is free of charge.
The initial treatment includes your consultation, placing the needles, an ear cover for showering, and your free check-in at three weeks. If a needle falls out during the three weeks, let me know and we’ll work out the next step together.
Is SAAT right for me?
SAAT may suit you if you have
- Hay fever, dust mite or pet allergies that don’t settle with your usual care
- Reactions to certain foods or additives
- Mould-related sensitivities
- Unexplained reactions that don’t fit a clear diagnosis
Before you book
- Ongoing mould exposure or an active infection can keep the body reactive, so symptoms may return if these aren’t addressed.
- If you’ve had anaphylaxis, keep your prescribed medication and emergency action plan in place. I assess these cases with extra care.
- SAAT complements, and does not replace, care from your allergist or GP.
Preparing for your treatment and aftercare
Before your appointment
- Book at a time when you can keep your ear dry and clean for about three weeks, so avoid planning swimming or dusty, dirty work over that period.
- If you have seasonal allergies, it is best to book before your usual season starts rather than in the middle of it.
- Eat normally and stay well hydrated on the day.
- Keep taking any prescribed medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
While the needles are in
- Keep the area dry and clean. Use the ear cover when you shower and avoid swimming.
- Avoid your allergens. Stay away from food allergens and keep exposure to environmental allergens as low as you reasonably can.
- Keep your emergency plan. If you have had anaphylaxis, keep your adrenaline auto-injector and prescribed medication with you.
- Tell me if something isn’t right. If the area becomes painful, red, swollen or irritated, remove it and contact me.
- MRI scans. The needles must be removed before an MRI.
After three weeks
- At your free 3 week check-in we take the needle out
- If you are travelling from far away, you can have someone remove the needles at home
- If you have had an anaphylactic reaction to the allergen you are not to reintroduce the allergen and follow all recommendations from your allergist including carrying an auto-injector
- You can slowly introduce food back into your diet. More detailed instructions will be given at the appointment
Travelling from Northern NSW, Byron Bay or South East Queensland
Many of my patients travel a long way, some up to six hours. Treatment is a single appointment with a free check-in at three weeks, and the needles can be removed at home, so SAAT can suit people who live a long way from Ballina.
- Plan your appointment time. Allow about an hour and a half for your first appointment, plus your travel time.
- Bring your information. Bring any allergy test results, a list of medications and your emergency action plan.
- Plan the drive home. The needles are small and held in with tape, so you can travel straight home. Avoid getting the ear wet, and keep a hat or scarf handy in case of rain or wind.
- Your three-week check-in. If Ballina is too far for a return trip, we can do the check-in by phone or video.
My Story with SAAT
I didn’t just study SAAT. I needed it.
In 2024, a patient told me ChatGPT had sent her. A tick bite had left her unable to eat red meat (alpha-gal syndrome), and she wanted SAAT.
I’d never heard of either. I read the research, tried the technique, and had limited success.
Then, in 2025, a tick bit me.
Debilitating illness followed. My search for answers took me through treatments for parasitic illness and mould sensitivities, and finally to the inventor of SAAT himself.
I’m now the first practitioner in Australia trained and certified in SAAT by its inventor. I’ve been on both sides of the treatment table, and I know what you’re going through.
Frequently asked questions
Does SAAT hurt?
Most people find the needle placement quick and comfortable, and once it’s in place most people can’t feel it. If you notice pain or irritation at the needle site during the three weeks, remove the needle and contact me.
How long do the needles stay in?
About three weeks. You’ll come back, or check in by phone or video, at the three-week mark, and the needles can be taken off at home.
How many treatments will I need?
The aim is one initial treatment for up to four allergens, with a free check-in at three weeks. Some people have a follow-up treatment ($200) to address further allergens, or if I recommend one after your check-in. Everyone responds differently, so I can’t promise a particular outcome.
Is SAAT safe?
SAAT is generally considered low risk. A published case series of SAAT for alpha-gal syndrome noted no adverse reactions. Like any acupuncture, it can cause minor tenderness, redness or skin irritation at the needle site, and infection is rare. I use sterile, single-use needles. SAAT complements your medical care and doesn’t replace it. Ask me about your own situation before you book.
Can I stop my allergy medication or adrenaline auto-injector?
No. Keep following the advice of your allergist or GP, including emergency medication and food avoidance.
What is the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
A food allergy involves the immune system and can cause severe reactions. A food intolerance involves the gut, is usually less serious, and does not typically cause anaphylaxis. Your GP or an allergist can help tell them apart.
Does SAAT work for alpha-gal syndrome?
Some people with alpha-gal syndrome report improvement after SAAT. One published case series described positive outcomes, but it had no control group and more research is needed. See the alpha-gal page.
Book your SAAT appointment
SAAT is offered as a complementary therapy. It does not replace care from your allergist or GP, and you should continue to follow your emergency action plan and food-avoidance advice.