Asthma

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects more than 20 million Americans.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work well in conjunction with other types of treatment to manage asthma.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease in which the airways become narrowed or blocked, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness.  Some people have long periods of time where they are symptom- free, while other people always have difficulty breathing.  Asthma attacks occur when something triggers the inflammation of the airways.  Attacks can be severe and sometimes life-threatening.

In Chinese medicine, asthma is known as “Xiao Chuan”, which means wheezing and shortness of breath.  It is caused by a variety of factors involving an imbalance with the protective qi of the body and some of the organ systems, usually Lung, Spleen and/or Kidney. Treatment will focus on balancing these organ systems and strengthening the protective qi layer.