Acupuncture for Bronchial Asthma: A Traditional Approach

Bronchial asthma is a pulmonary disorder that affects 15 million Americans each year. It is characterized by an obstruction and inflammation of the bronchial tubes that causes difficulty in breathing and wheezing. Bronchial asthma is usually triggered by an external stimulus such as an allergy, exertion or psychological stress.

Instructions

• 1

  Treat cold asthma primarily by sedation of the lung and elimination of the phlegm. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, asthma is primarily caused by persistent coughing in addition to fluid in the lungs and the retention of phlegm. The Qi passage is blocked, which impairs the functioning of the lungs and produces the symptoms of coughing, rattling and wheezing.

• 2

  Use the following acupoints as the primary locations for the treatment of bronchial asthma with acupuncture: Chize LU 5, Feishu UB 13, Fengmen UB 12, Lieque LU 7 and Tanzhong REN 17.

• 3

  Add Dazhui DU 14 and Shenzhu DU 12 for patients with body aches and headaches. Shangxing DU 23 and Yingxiang LI 20 may be added for a stuffy or runny nose.

• 4

  Sedate the points and leave them in place for half an hour. Stimulate Renzhong REN 17 until the sensation of needling reaches the sides of the chest. Insert a needle into the Chize LU 5 acupoint in the direction opposite the flow of Qi.

• 5

  Keep Feishu UB 13 and Fengmen UB 12 sedated for two minutes. These two points also should be cupped for best results.