Acupressure For Asthma

 

Affecting nearly 1 in 12 people worldwide, asthma is an all-too-common respiratory disease. It's characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, which subsequently triggers a wide range of symptoms like wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. While some people assume asthma is nothing more than a mild condition with no real health implications, this couldn't be further from the truth. In 2011 alone, a quarter of a million people lost their lives as a result of asthma-related complications.

If you or someone you know suffers from asthma, you should consider using acupressure to treat it. While there's no known cure for asthma, many people have reported significant relief through acupressure.

What Is Acupressure?

Not to be confused with acupuncture, acupressure is a form of alternative medicine that involves pressure exerted on specific areas of the body in an attempt to restore the body's flow of life energy (Qi). Treatment typically involves placing the fingers, hand or elbow on the problematic meridians and pressing down with moderate pressure. By placing pressure on these areas, the body's Qi is able to flow freely once again; thus, relieving a wide variety of adverse symptoms and conditions.

In 2011, researchers performed a systematic review of the effectiveness of acupressure to treat various symptoms (e.g. nausea, pain, insomnia). In 35 of the 43 controlled trials analyzed, researchers found acupressure to be an effective form of treatment. Another study conducted that same year found acupressure to effectively relieve pain during child birth.

Using Acupressure To Treat Asthma

One of the many benefits of acupressure is that it can be performed anywhere, anytime. Furthermore, you can perform it on yourself, negating the need for a therapist.

If you suffer from asthma, try placing pressure on your upper left or right chest area, about three finger widths under the collarbone. Using two or three fingers, gently press this area and hold it in place for 30-45 seconds before releasing. In addition to treating asthma, this acupressure point is also known to relieve chest congestion, coughing and difficulties breathing.

Another helpful acupressure point for asthma sufferers is found next to the breastbone, also below the collarbone. Simply follow the steps outlined above by placing two or three fingers here and you should notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Give me a call today to learn how you can get back on track to better health!

Product Highlight

Respitrol (Heat) by Evergreen Herbs

 
FORMULA EXPLANATION

 
Respitrol (Heat) is formulated to treat heat-type respiratory disorders, including but not limited to common cold, flu, asthma, bronchitis, and infections of the respiratory tract. 

Diagnostic signs and symptoms of heat include fever, cough, asthma, flushed face, sweating without much exertion, and yellow sputum. Respitrol (Heat) contains herbs with functions to clear Lung heat, dissolve phlegm, and regulate qi circulation.

MODERN RESEARCH

Respitrol (Heat) is formulated specifically to treat respiratory disorders with heat manifestations. From the traditional Chinese medicine perspective, "heat" in the respiratory tract is characterized by conditions such as wheezing, dyspnea, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, common cold, influenza, cough, chest distention, etc. Therefore, Respitrol (Heat) contains herbs to address both the cause and the symptoms of this disorder. The herbs in this formula have antibiotic effects to treat the infection, broncho-dilating effect to relieve wheezing and difficult breathing, and antitussive and expectorant effects to relieve the associated symptoms.

Several herbs in this formula have antibiotic effects against various types of pathogens.
Respitrol (Heat) has marked effect to treat asthma, wheezing and dyspnea because many herbs in this formula have marked anti-asthmatic and bronchodilating effects. Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) has a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect to reduce the swelling and inflammation in the lung. In fact, the anti-inflammatory influence of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, two compounds of Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), is approximately 1/10th that of cortisone.[10] In addition to treating the cause, Respitrol (Heat) is also formulated with herbs that treat the associated symptoms. 


PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS & CHINESE MEDICINE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Western Medical Approach: Treatment of asthma is generally divided into acute and chronic management. In western medicine, acute asthma is treated by bronchodilators that open the airway and reverse obstruction. Chronic asthma is managed by use of several categories of drugs, including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, theophylline, and cromolyn. Western medicine is extremely effective in treating acute asthma attacks, as use of bronchodilators [such as Proventil or Ventolin (Albuterol) inhalers] generally reverses airway obstruction within minutes. However, western medicine is not as successful in long-term management and prevention of asthma. These drugs do not change the underlying condition of the disease, nor do they improve the constitution of the patient. Therefore, long-term prognosis is often characterized by successful suppression of acute asthma attack, but no change in frequency or severity of recurrent asthma attacks.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach: Asthma is treated based on the urgency of the disease presentation and the underlying condition of the patients. Urgency refers to the acute or chronic nature of the disease, while underlying condition refers to the fundamental constitution of the patients. By addressing both the disease and the fundamental constitution, use of herbs achieves both immediate and prolonged effects.

Summation: Both drugs and herbs are effective for treatment of asthma. Generally speaking, drugs are more effective for acute asthma, as they are more potent, and can be delivered via inhalation or intravenous injection to achieve faster onset of relief. However, long-term treatment of asthma with drugs is often less than optimal, as these drugs tend to create tolerance and dependence. Furthermore, they do not change the course of illness, and do not reduce frequency and severity of recurrent asthma attacks. 

On the other hand, herbs are better for long-term prevention and management of asthma. Herbs strengthen the body and enhance its own ability to manage asthma. However, use of herbs may not be appropriate for acute asthma because they are less immediately potent than some pharmaceuticals, and have a slower onset of action. In conclusion, optimal treatment of asthma does not require choosing between drugs or herbs, but may be gained by embracing the benefits of both, by using drugs for acute treatment and herbs for long-term healing and prevention.
 

[1] Planta med, 1982; 44(2):100
[2] Yao Jian Gong Zuo Tong Xun (Journal of Herbal Preparations), 1980; 10(4):209
[3] Xin Hua Ben Cao Gang Mu (New Chinese Materia Medica), 1988; 58
[4] Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 648:650
[5] Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 244:245
[6] Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 878:881
[7] Shan Xi Xin Yi Yao (New Medicine and Herbology of Shanxi), 1980; 9(11):51
[8] Life Sci, 1980; 27(8):659
[9] Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 320:323
[10] Zhong Cao Yao (Chinese Herbal Medicine), 1991; 22(10):452
[11] Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 651:653
[12] Zhong Yao Yao Li Yu Ying Yong (Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Herbs), 1983; 264
[13] Zhong Yao Yao Li Yu Ying Yong (Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Herbs), 1983; 866
[14] Hsu, HY. et al. Oriental Materia Medica, A Concise Guide. Oriental Healing Arts Institute. 1986
5 Gottlieb, W. The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies, 1990; p31-32
[15] Yi Xue Zhong Yang Za Zhi (Central Journal of Medicine), 1967; 223:664

The information contained within the  newsletter is only used to educate and inform. This newsletter is  not a substitute for the advice of a licensed and registered health  care provider. Seek prompt attention for emergencies. Consult  a health care provider for specific health concerns, and before  starting a diet, cleanse or exercise routine.