Asthma is a long-term condition that affects more than 20 million Americans. Caring for a chronic condition such a asthma can sometimes be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that it can be controlled. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be powerful allies in the management of asthma, and they work well in conjunction with other types of treatment.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease in which the airways become blocked or narrowed, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Some people have long periods without symptoms, while others may always experience difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks occur when something triggers the inflammation of the respiratory system. Flare ups can be severe- sometimes even life-threatening.

Generally, the available approach of asthma treatment is to try and prevent attacks. This is usually done with regular use of anti-inflammatory medications, inhaled steroids and leukotriene inhibitors. Once an asthma attack is underway, quick-acting medications like corticosteroids may be able to relieve it.

Most of these medications can cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, muscle tremors, and insomnia. However, many people have found that acupuncture treatment may help reduce asthma attacks, improve lung function, and even lower the amount of medication needed.

Chinese medicine has been used for asthma for thousands of years. The World Health Organization includes respiratory system diseases such as asthma and bronchitis on its list of the forty diseases that can benefit from acupuncture. There have been many studies demonstrating how successful acupuncture and Chinese herbs are in the treatment of asthma. In 1993, for example, the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Vienna, Austria, conducted a study that showed that after ten weeks of acupuncture treatments, over 70 percent of long-standing asthma patients achieved significant improvement. Our treatment plan works to balance the immune system, reduce allergic reactions, eliminate excess mucus, and increase lung capacity. We incorporate Chinese herbs, and acupuncture to achieve these results.