Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes that causes seizure-like narrowing of the airways. The most common triggers include environmental factors, exertion, respiratory infections, stress, micronutrient deficiencies and medication.
Symptoms
Recurrent episodes of shortness of breath
Chest tightness or cough
Dyspnoea and hypoxia in severe attacks
Acupuncture can relieve the tension of the mitochondrial nerve on the one hand and increase the excitability of the sympathetic nerve on the other. Acupuncture can also lower the acetylcholine and histamine levels in the blood and increase the adrenaline level. This relieves tracheobronchial spasm and breathing difficulties, improves lung ventilation and provides immediate symptom relief. The whole process is accomplished through the regulating action of the neurohumoral system. Chinese herbal formulations are designed differently according to the exacerbation and remission phases. In the exacerbation phase, the focus is on cough suppression and anti-inflammation, and in the remission phase, the focus is on improving lung as well as immune function.
Through the use of Chinese herbs as well as acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina and cupping, symptoms are treated acutely while the causes are addressed slowly, so that both symptoms and causes are treated with relatively few or no side effects in an evidence-based manner.