According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, "Asthma is a chronic disease that affects about 20 million Americans. Its primary cause is inflamed airways in the lungs. This inflammation makes the airways smaller, which makes it more difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs." Allergens (for example dust, pollen and cockroaches) and environmental factors (fumes, gases or dust) exacerbate symptoms. People suffering from asthma often seek relief in orthodox medicine and acupuncture.
Treatment Options
Weigh your options. Orthodox medicine prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators to decrease inflammation of the bronchi and relax the muscles that tighten around the airways. Acupuncture strives to not only relieve symptoms but treat the weakness in the lungs and strengthen it with the body's own energy, or chi. In acupuncturetoday.com, Jullian Scott writes about treating diseases such as asthma with acupuncture. "Furthermore, acupuncture works incredibly quickly in children. In fact, it works so well that we can actually cure many children of their disease." Treat the root cause and you eliminate the disease.
Find an Acupuncturist
Seek out an experienced acupuncturist, preferably a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Be wary of acupuncturists who went through a short degree program. Instead look for a Chinese doctor with experience integrating acupuncture with conventional medicine. Set up an appointment as soon as possible.
What to Expect
Tell the acupuncturist about your ailment. Be honest and specific, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The doctor will use traditional techniques such as feeling your pulse and looking at your eyes, skin color, tongue and fingernails to read your overall well-being. She will also ask you questions relating to your health. From this information she will devise a treatment plan, possibly including needle treatment, moxibustion, herbal teas and herbal supplements. Moxibustion is a therapy in which the practitioner lights a moxa stick (a bundle of the mugwort herb, or moxa) and holds it over the specified acupuncture point "to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health," according to acupuncturetoday.com. Combined with acupuncture, "the therapy is effective for the majority of cases, especially for children," says Subhuti Dharmananda, director of the Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, referring to a study done at the Zhejiang Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and reported on itmonline.org.
Conventional Medication
Make sure you tell the acupuncturist if you are taking conventional medicine, and talk to him about weaning off of the medication. One study reported by itmonline.org showed that in 96 percent of cases, acupuncture treatments successfully reduced the need for orthodox asthma medication, and in 56 percent of cases it eliminated the need altogether.
Be Diligent
Be sure to complete all sessions recommended by the acupuncturist. Take the teas prescribed. These teas are custom made, based on your body's needs. Follow up with the acupuncturist and let her know of improvements and doubts. Be specific so she can cater the treatment to your body.
Pay Attention
Pay attention to any recurring symptoms. No ailment comes on suddenly. Often it is a buildup of underlying factors. Study how your body responds to certain foods, life stresses and . Return to the acupuncturist for follow-up treatment to maintain your health.
Tags: your body, conventional medicine, environmental factors, Institute Traditional, percent cases, reported itmonline