Asthma is a chronic condition that impacts the airways in your lungs. It causes inflammation, swelling, and narrowing of these airways, making it difficult for air to flow in and out. This leads to various breathing issues, with common symptoms including:
- Wheezing: A whistling sound while breathing, especially during exhalation.
- Shortness of Breath: A feeling of not being able to catch your breath, particularly during physical activity or at night.
- Coughing: A persistent cough that often worsens at night or in the early morning.
- Chest Tightness: A sensation of pressure or squeezing in the chest.
Asthma symptoms can vary in intensity and may flare up at different times. Triggers often include allergens (such as pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander), irritants (like smoke or pollution), cold air, exercise, or stress.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of asthma in the United States in 2021 was 7.7%. This translates to approximately 24.9 million people with asthma.
Chinese Medicine and Asthma Management
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic approach to asthma management, focusing on therapies that address the underlying imbalances contributing to the condition.
Understanding Asthma Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine
There are a few basic categories of asthma, and each category is treated differently. Each of these types of asthma has its own unique triggers and treatments. Some types of asthma are triggered by external stressors such as weather, allergens, and environmental toxins, while others are internally triggered through stress or overexertion. In the treatment of asthma, we focus on the patient, who has a unique presentation of symptoms, and treatment is always customized to meet the individual needs of each patient. Some patients will cough during the day, while others will cough more at night. Some patients will have yellow phlegm, while others will have white or clear. All symptoms need to be differentiated to create a custom treatment for patients.
- Allergic Asthma: Triggered by seasonal allergies, pet dander, dust, etc.
- Weather-Induced Asthma: Triggered in cold, hot, humid, or dry weather.
- Stress-Induced Asthma: Triggered by stress.
- Exertion-Induced Asthma: Triggered by exertion during exercise.
- Toxin-Induced Asthma: Similar to allergic asthma, with some overlap. These toxins include air pollution, mold, etc.
How Acupuncture Might Help with Asthma
- Aims to regulate the flow of Qi and Blood, strengthen Lung Qi, and resolve phlegm accumulation.
- Reduces inflammation: Acupuncture may help reduce inflammation in the airways, a key factor in asthma.
- Adjusts the immune system: Some research suggests acupuncture may help regulate the immune system’s response in asthma.
- Relieves symptoms: Acupuncture may help ease asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
- Promotes relaxation: Acupuncture may help reduce stress and anxiety, which can trigger asthma symptoms.
Other Chinese Medicine Therapies for Asthma
- Chinese Herbal Medicine: As with all conditions, Chinese medicine does not treat asthma; it treats patients. A thorough, in-depth look is taken at a patient’s health history, sleep, digestion, urination, menstrual cycle, pain conditions, skin, appetite, etc. All aspects of health are considered, and an herbal formula is designed to make each patient as healthy as possible while also addressing the main complaint of asthma. Herbs are used to clear phlegm, stop coughing and wheezing, and strengthen lung function and immunity.
- Moxibustion: Applying heat to acupuncture points to strengthen Qi and dispel cold. Moxibustion is often used when asthma worsens in the winter and there are obvious cold signs, including sensitivity to cold, white phlegm, cold body, weak digestion, fatigue, etc. Moxibustion helps to warm the body, transform phlegm, stop coughing, and strengthen organ function. At the office in Mamaroneck, moxibustion is used extensively for the treatment of asthma.
- San Fu Tie or Heavenly Moxibustion: Instead of burning moxa, a medicinal paste is applied to various acupuncture points. The medicinal paste contains warming herbs that cause mild skin irritation. This paste is left on for a few hours. This particular treatment was first recorded during the Qing dynasty in China and has been shown to be very helpful for asthma and other chronic lung conditions that worsen in cold weather. For best results, this treatment is conducted three times per summer for three summers in a row. Totally 9 treatments over three years time.
- Bodywork: Chinese Massage or Tuina is a therapeutic practice that can target specific points in the body to enhance blood circulation and lymphatic flow. This not only alleviates pain and inflammation but also promotes relaxation and reduces overactivity in internal organs. In treating asthma, tuina therapists focus on acupressure points linked to the respiratory system, employing techniques like pressing, kneading, and tapping to improve respiratory function.
- Cupping: Using suction cups to improve blood circulation and alleviate stagnation. Cupping is excellent for increasing circulation and is frequently used to help with chronic lung conditions. Cupping is helpful to break up excessive mucus in the respiratory system.
- Qigong: Various breathing methods, static postures, and movements can be very helpful in the treatment of asthma. Deep, even breathing, which is trained in qigong, can do wonders for asthma.
- Dietary Therapy: Diet is a significant part of health. It can either make or break a treatment. Everything you are doing outside the treatment session is either building health or diminishing it. Patients will receive dietary advice to improve overall body function, focusing on improving their symptoms of asthma and overall health.
Benefits of Chinese Medicine for Asthma
- May reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks.
- Can improve airflow and alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.
- May strengthen the respiratory and immune systems.
- Can complement conventional medical treatments.
What do The Studies Say About Chinese Medicine For Asthma?
- Sanfu herbal patch applied at acupoints in patients with bronchial asthma: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
- A Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Therapy for Bronchial Asthma: Moxibustion
- Acupuncture for Asthma: Its Potential Significance in Clinical Practice
- The efficacy of Tuina for asthma: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Conclusion
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer promising avenues for relief from the multifaceted symptoms of asthma. By focusing on the individual and their unique symptom profile, practitioners can tailor treatments that address specific needs, potentially improving the quality of life for those affected by this challenging condition.
For further information about acupuncture and Chinese medicine and how it can help you improve your health, please feel free to reach out to Ira Wahrman, L.Ac, at his acupuncture office in Mamaroneck. The phone number is (914) 772-4044. Or feel free to click below to schedule your first session.
https://acusimple.com/bookings/1508