Chronic Asthma Acupuncture Treatment

Chronic Asthma is a long-term condition that affects more than 2 million Australian. Caring for a chronic disease such as this can sometimes be frustrating, but it's important to remember that controlling asthma is achievable. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine (TCM) can be powerful allies in managing asthma, and they work well in conjunction with other types of treatment.

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.

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.

Inflammation is the redness and swelling shows at the time of injury. The body’s defences send extra blood and fluid to help fight off any bacteria or dirt present. For the irritated bronchioles, the inflammation is similar, which begins to create many problems. This inflammation makes the airways smaller, and as the airways narrow, wheezing sounds are loud and noticeable. The tinier the airways become, the louder the wheezing can be heard. A painful help-hurt cycle begins. While attempting to protect the body, people living with asthma help and hurt their airways at the same time.

The body can also create mucus, a sticky substance designed to trap tiny particles like grass or pet dander to flush the irritation away. The mucus is irritating, and the body attempts to expel the phlegm by coughing. The lungs cannot remove the slime on its own; it can only come out by coughing. Small airways and sticky mucus also create shortness of breath, because now the lungs have to work even harder to get the oxygen in and out. A person may not be able to do their normal activities.

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.

Treatments for chronic asthma typically are in the form of medications—emergency inhalers to dilate the bronchioles, lung-specific corticosteroids, or whole-body corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Side effects of the corticosteroids can include: increased blood pressure, weight gain, fluid retention, mood swings, upset stomach, fungal infections, and decreased immunity which can lead to more illnesses.

Other treatments focus on the cause of the irritations. The doctor may prescribe allergy testing to see if there is a specific item causing allergic reactions. If there is a known issue, sometimes allergy shots can help decrease the immune system's response to that allergen. There is no cure for asthma, but the goal is preventing the attacks and keeping the inflammation down.

Here at City Acupuncture Pain Clinic, our goal is to provide safe and helpful treatments for chronic asthma without medications' problematic side effects. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may provide significant relief for all ages, including children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.

How Acupuncture Works For Asthma

Acupuncture is a whole-body medical treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine that stimulates exact points on the body with very tiny needles to treat many conditions. It has been treating the Chinese and Asian people over 2500 years and has mostly used in Western Medicine as an adjunct treatment.

Mechanism of Acupuncture

Those who are new to acupuncture may be surprised to know that the organs involved may not explicitly be needed. The body comprises many different organ channels such as the liver, spleen, heart, and kidneys. These channels can be stimulated at specific points throughout the whole body instead of just at the problematic area. For example, for chronic asthma and shortness of breath, points in the hands and wrists, upper back, legs, and feet can be used. The most common side effects of acupuncture are pin-point bruising at the needle site, feeling lightheaded, and tiredness. These side-effects tend to dissipate quickly, and the body returns to normal.

Acupuncture Works to The Cause

Acupuncture helps the body's energy to flow freely. Just as one might imagine a series of plumbing pipes with various points of congestion, the water cannot go where it should. By needling the right positions, the energy in the canals flows freely as they should. In the body, when the energy flows freely, the liver can filter the blood as it should decreasing the toxic buildup, the kidneys can excrete the wastes, and the heart can pump the blood more effectively. This free-flowing energy increases relaxation, lowers increased blood pressure, improves sleep, and enables the body to heal faster, all of which help the body breathe better.

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.

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.