Chronic Asthma Acupuncture Treatment Alongside Your Medical Care

Acupuncture for asthma may be a gentle, supportive option alongside your usual medical care. Moreover, acupuncture for asthma is intended to work with conventional care, rather than replacing it. So if you live in Adelaide and want gentle, natural support, our team is here to help. In fact, many local families now choose acupuncture for asthma as part of their routine.

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“As soon as we notice that certain types of events ‘like’ to cluster together at certain times, we begin to understand the Chinese, whose theories of medicine, philosophy, and even building are based on a ‘science’ of meaningful coincidences.” – Marie-Louise von Franz

Chronic Asthma is a long-term condition that affects more than 2 million Australians. Caring for a chronic disease such as this can sometimes feel frustrating. However, it is important to remember that controlling asthma is achievable. Acupuncture for asthma, together with Chinese herbal medicine (TCM), may offer gentle, supportive comfort alongside your doctor’s care, and it is not a substitute for your prescribed treatment.

The facts about asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease in which the airways become blocked or narrowed, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Some people have long periods without symptoms, while others may always experience difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks occur when something triggers the inflammation of the respiratory system. Flare-ups can be severe-sometimes even life-threatening.

What Is Chronic Asthma

The symptoms of chronic asthma are coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These can be worse in the early morning, at night, or when triggered. Smoke, pet dander, allergies to grass or pollen, cold weather, or too much exercise can be triggers. Asthma is not a contagious disease; however, uncomplicated infections like the common cold or influenza can worsen asthma symptoms or even trigger an attack.

Aetiology of Chronic Asthma

Inflammation shows as redness and swelling at the time of injury. The body’s defences then send extra blood and fluid to help fight off any bacteria or dirt. For the irritated bronchioles, the inflammation works in a similar way. As a result, it begins to create many problems. This inflammation makes the airways smaller. As the airways narrow, the wheezing grows loud and noticeable. Therefore, the tinier the airways become, the louder the wheeze. A painful help-hurt cycle then begins. While trying to protect the body, people living with asthma both help and hurt their airways at the same time.

The body can also create mucus. This sticky substance traps tiny particles, such as grass or pet dander, and flushes the irritation away. Because the mucus is irritating, the body then tries to expel the phlegm by coughing. Coughing is the only way out, since the lungs cannot remove the slime on their own. In addition, small airways and sticky mucus create shortness of breath. Now the lungs have to work even harder to move oxygen in and out. As a result, a person may struggle with their normal activities.

Asthma according to ancient principles

In TCM, asthma known as “Xiao Chuan”, which means “wheezing” and “shortness of breath”. It is caused by various factors that involve an imbalance with Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”), and an imbalance with one or more of the organ systems, generally the Lungs, Spleen or Kidney.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), asthma goes beyond a simple diagnosis. For example, your acupuncturist may find and treat several common TCM patterns. Below are some of the more frequent ones.

• Invasion of Wind
• Lung weakness
• Kidney weakness
• Spleen weakness
• Liver imbalance
• Liver Heat
• Wei Qi deficiency
• Phlegm/damp in the Lungs

Treatments for Chronic Asthma

Treatments for chronic asthma usually take the form of medications. First, emergency inhalers dilate the bronchioles. In addition, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Your doctor will explain how these work and review them with you.

Other treatments instead focus on the cause of the irritation. For example, the doctor may order allergy testing to find a specific trigger. If there is a known issue, then allergy shots can sometimes calm the immune system’s response. Although there is no cure for asthma, the goal is to prevent attacks and keep the inflammation down.

Asthma Treatment by Acupuncture

Acupuncture for asthma takes a calm, natural path to easier breathing. Because every case differs, we tailor each acupuncture for asthma plan to your triggers and history. Therefore, you get steady support that fits your daily life in Adelaide.

Here at City Acupuncture Pain Clinic, we aim to provide gentle acupuncture for asthma. Many people choose it as gentle, drug-free support alongside their asthma medication. Moreover, we offer acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to all ages, from children to older adults.

How Acupuncture for Asthma Works

Acupuncture is a whole-body treatment rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It stimulates exact points on the body with very tiny needles. Therefore, a session may be tailored to the whole person rather than one area alone. Acupuncture has served Chinese and Asian people for over 2,500 years. Today, Western medicine also uses it as a helpful adjunct treatment.

Mechanism of Acupuncture

People who are new to acupuncture often expect needles only at the sore spot. In fact, the treatment rarely works that way. The body holds many organ channels, such as the liver, spleen, heart, and kidneys. Therefore, the acupuncturist can stimulate specific points across the whole body, instead of only the problem area. For example, acupuncture for asthma may use points in the hands, wrists, upper back, legs, and feet. The most common side effects include light bruising at the needle site, a lightheaded feeling, and tiredness. However, these effects fade quickly, and the body soon returns to normal.

Acupuncture Works to The Cause

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture for asthma is described in terms of the free flow of the body’s energy. For example, picture plumbing pipes with points of congestion, so the water cannot go where it should. By needling specific points, a practitioner works within this traditional framework. As a result, many people find a session calming and relaxing. Meanwhile, we offer it as gentle, whole-person support rather than a medical treatment. Because results vary from person to person, you use acupuncture alongside your doctor’s care, not in place of it. Overall, the aim is to help you feel more comfortable day to day.

Please note: Acupuncture is not a substitute for your doctor’s care, regular medications, or your emergency inhalers. Please follow all of your doctor’s instructions for medications and treatments for chronic asthma. Also, if you are having life-threatening shortness of breath, contact emergency services immediately.

A Partnership for Healthier Life

It is important to remember that you are a crucial part of controlling your asthma. Here are a few ways you can take an active role in your treatment:

• Try keeping a diary to track your specific triggers.
• Be sure to keep all of your health care providers fully informed. This includes talking to them about any medications or herbs you may be taking, as well as any changes in your symptoms.
• Follow your practitioner’s recommendations for self-care. These might include Qi Gong, yoga, dietary changes, or stress-relief measures such as meditation.

By making positive lifestyle choices and working closely with your practitioner, you’ll truly be taking charge of your life.

Acupuncture for asthma works best when you also know your triggers. Therefore, take a moment to learn the common ones below.

Be Aware of The Trigger

Asthma attacks are generally caused by one or more triggers, including:

• A cold, flu, bronchitis, or sinus infection
• Allergens including dust mites, tree and grass pollen, mould, and animal dander
• Irritants that include tobacco smoke, strong fragrances, and air pollution
• Certain foods and food additives
• Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Strenuous exercise
• Changes in weather
• Strong emotions such as anxiety, stress, grief and anger

Approaches to Treatment

Generally, the main method of treatment is to prevent attacks. For example, doctors use anti-inflammatory medications, inhaled steroids, and leukotriene inhibitors. Once an attack is underway, quick-acting medications like corticosteroids may relieve it. These medicines are the foundation of asthma care. Some people also choose acupuncture for asthma as gentle support alongside their doctor’s care. Results vary from person to person, and acupuncture is not a substitute for your prescribed asthma medication.

An acupuncturist takes a holistic, whole-body approach. First, the practitioner looks for patterns that may be contributing. Since acupuncture and TCM weigh your overall well-being, your practitioner may also address other factors. For example, exercise, diet, and stress can all feed your asthma. Acupuncture is a gentle approach, and results vary from person to person.

Because asthma often travels with other complaints, acupuncture for asthma fits neatly into a wider care plan. For example, you can pair it with acupuncture for allergies and sinus when pollen is a trigger. Moreover, stress is a common flare-up, so acupuncture for anxiety and stress may help too. In addition, our Chinese medicine in Adelaide clinic supports the whole body. For trusted background reading, you can also review the asthma guidance from Asthma Australia before your visit.

Time Honoured Modalities We Use

– Multi-modalities of natural therapies are used

When to See a Doctor

Acupuncture never replaces your asthma action plan. Call 000, or see a doctor urgently, if:

• Your reliever is not helping, or you need it more often than every three hours
• You are too breathless to speak in full sentences
• Your lips or fingertips look blue or grey
• You feel drowsy, confused or exhausted from the effort of breathing
• Asthma is waking you at night or limiting exercise — book a review of your plan
• You have needed a course of steroid tablets recently

Related: acupuncture to quit smoking

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