Acupuncture for Asthma
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal remedies can help treat and manage asthma naturally. The incidence of asthma has been steadily increasing over the last 50-75 years in industrialized countries. Children are especially being affected. Research is showing that Chinese medicine compares very favorable when compared to western treatment. Many people area concerned about the long term effects of taking anti-asthma drugs like bronchodilators.
Asthma is an immune-related respiratory disorder. It occurs when the passages of the lungs became blocked or narrows and inflamed. Extrinsic asthma is caused by an allergic reaction. Substances such as dander, pollen, smoke, mold, feathers, foods can all be triggers. Intrinsic asthma often occurs from a trigger such as air pollutants, odors, cold weather, physical exercise, emotional stress or after a bad respiratory infection.
Acupuncture can help with any kind of asthma no matter the trigger. Researchers at Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture on certain points of the back helps regulate the smooth muscle of the bronchial tubes/ airways regulated by the hypothalamus. Chinese medicine believes that many asthma patients have what is called a Kidney deficiency. This means that the kidney energy/meridian needs to be strengthened. In Chinese medicine the kidneys have the function of controlling bone growth, generating marrow, aid in the production of blood, and store our genetic essence. Research has shown that asthma patients have a lower level of the hormone 17-hydroxy corticosteroid in their urine. Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can help increase this hormone in the urine. Acupuncture also helps regulate the neuro-endocrine system. Research tells us that asthma attacks are connected with a lower hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical function. Supporting the kidney energy through specific acupuncture points is a great example of when Traditional Chinese medicine and science merge into agreement. Two clinical trials at Oxford show that acupuncture treatment reduced spasmodic tendency in the airways, opened narrowed blood vessels in the lungs and helps participants breath more deeply.
If you suffer from asthma, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are an important option for care. You quality of life could greatly improve with natural treatment. Many practitioners also treat children and treatment can have significant impact on the future health of a child.
