I was diagnosed with asthma at a very young age and the frightening and very severe asthma attacks I suffered in my twenties made me appreciate any asthma sufferer who longs to discover a non-chemical solution to this potentially dangerous health issue.
As has been proven in clinical researches and based on personal experience, acupuncture has the ability to allay asthma symptoms. That said, acupuncture treatment will only turn out well when it is undertaken by a qualified practitioner who is also attune to the needs of his/her patients.
The Problem with Studies
Most acupuncture researches have been limited in a variety of ways. One can, for example, ask if the acupuncture techniques used in research is what’s really used in everyday clinical practice. Two forms of acupuncture can be used in studies which complicate the results even further.
The outcomes of a couple of small studies utilizing the two forms of acupuncture were featured in a Cochrane Library review regarding acupuncture treatment for asthma. The results were pooled but it was concluded that there was not enough data in order to expedite the extrapolation of the effectiveness of acupuncture with regards to the general population.
Since clinical trials are only given a limited amount of case studies, researchers will usually try to seek the combo of acupoints that’s most effective for the treatment of asthma. But the truth is, in both clinical practice and valuable books the approach is far more specific. Acupoints selected for treatment can be based on the type of deficiency and excess suffered by the body.
There are also several acupoints that are traditionally utilized for relieving asthmatic breathing that are located at the back and front of the ribcage; however, in clinical textbooks and trials, only a few of these are mentioned and only, from time to time.
Acupuncture Approach and Treatment of Asthma
So, despite the fact that a wealth of studies exists that could be used by practitioners and proponents of acupuncture and could provide proof the acupuncture works for asthma, sadly, this is not the case.
What do we need to do to help ourselves come up with an informed decision? We actually only need to accept the fact that in TCM, in general, and traditional acupuncture, in particular, a disease such as asthma is a sign of an underlying and deeper disharmony. So, when a person seeks treatment from a qualified acupuncturist with the power to diagnose and identify the root cause of the disharmony, then there is a really good chance that the condition and its underlying cause(s) are cured.
Having said that, it is not the job of the acupuncturist to tell asthma sufferers to completely stop taking their medications. If you suddenly suffer from a very serious asthma attack, having an inhaler on hand can spell the difference between life and death. The proper approach is to cautiously and gradually reduce the intake of the drugs and patients should have the choice to do what they feel comfortable with within the boundaries of safety.
TCM and Asthma
According to TCM theory, asthma can develop due to the disorders associated with the kidney, abdomen, and lungs. Hence, several possible acupoints that can be used to treat asthma happen to lie on the meridians of the kidney, abdomen, and lungs in addition to the bladder meridian.
On the back’s upper region part lie some bladder acupoints used in asthma treatment. A few of these points are extremely important as an obstruction of energy circulation in the back can have a crucial influence on the seriousness of asthmatic breathing.
In TCM, the organs are not deemed simply as western medicine tends to regard them – purely anatomical. Practitioners believe that they also govern the energetic, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of the person.
Based on the Five Element Theory of TCM, the various organ systems are intimately connected with each other and practitioners use this knowledge to identify patterns of disharmony. The five elements are water, metal, earth, fire, and wood.
The element metal is associated with the lungs, the color white, autumn season, and the large intestine. Skin problems and the function of respiration are controlled by the metal element. It also is responsible for waste removal. This element also controls respiration as well as skin issues. Imbalance can lead to feelings of grief and sadness, bowel issues, coughing, skin problems, shortness of breath, and asthma.
Jacksonville Acupuncture Clinic
8855 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32217-4244
(904) 260-2598
http://www.jacksonvilleacupunctureclinic.com