Acupuncture for Asthma

Wondering about “acupuncture for asthma near me”? You’re in the right place. 

Our acupuncturists will provide you the best acupuncture for asthma in Irvine, so you can better manage your asthma and reduce those symptoms.

Call now to get complimentary consultation!

irvine acupuncture for asthma treatment
irvine acupuncture for asthma treatment

“ I was referred to Mr. Fu by a friend who believes that I should not give up hope and that she knows Mr. Fu can help. Most amazing part was that I only had two full sessions. After the first full session I was already feeling great, after the second session I knew it made a difference.” – T. W. (Fountain Valley, CA)

Table of Contents

Asthma Information

Asthma is a medical condition that affects the lungs and causes problems breathing. It can also lead to an asthma attack causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Although most people can manage their asthma, they’re still at risk. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about 3,564 people in 2017 died from asthma [1] and most of those were avoidable with proper treatment and care.

irvine acupuncture for asthma attack

How To Treat Asthma?

Although asthma can not be completely cured, there are many ways to manage it. Asthma is a long-term condition that needs to be constantly monitored. It’s recommended to recognize triggers that may lead to asthma attacks and avoid them. In addition, there are medications that your doctor will recommend like combination inhalers and even allergy medications. But, there is one treatment that your doctor might approve of as a complementary treatment to help with your asthma. It’s acupuncture for asthma.

If you want to know more about acupuncture for asthma, call us to get a complimentary consultation. 

What Is Acupuncture For Asthma?

Acupuncture is one treatment under traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used to treat asthma in China and even in some Western countries. In TCM, it’s believed that a balance in the body’s flow of body life energy called chi or qi keeps the body healthy and promotes one’s well-being. However, there are times when an imbalance in qi causes problems in the body. With acupuncture, an acupuncturist can use needles to target points in the body called acupoints to restore the flow of qi and maintain balance. This results in the natural healing of the body and alleviation of symptoms.

Acupuncture for Asthma
Acupuncture for Asthma
asthma treatment

Can Acupuncture Help Asthma?

Acupuncture for asthma can help alleviate symptoms of asthma. It was found by the scientific community that acupuncture is becoming more reliable and considered by some as a viable treatment. It was stated by the National Center for Biotechnology Information that acupuncture could improve symptoms of asthma, lung function, and decrease medication dosages, and could be applied as an adjunct to conventional medications [2].

Although acupuncture is effective, it’s still recommended to follow your doctor’s recommendations and still take the medications prescribed. Please consult your doctor if acupuncture is a good treatment for you.

Additional Info

Asthma symptoms are different for everyone. Some may experience asthma attacks at specific times like when they are exercising or experience symptoms frequently. Here are some symptoms you may be experiencing:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Wheezing when exhaling
  • Trouble sleeping caused by symptoms above
  • Coughing or wheezing attacks that can be made worse by a respiratory virus

There are some unusual symptoms you may experience with asthma. Here are some examples that you may run into:

  • rapid breathing
  • sighing
  • fatigue
  • inability to exercise properly
  • difficulty sleeping
  • anxiety
  • chronic cough without wheezing

But, there are also some symptoms that are signs that your asthma is getting worse. If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult a health professional:

  • Experiencing asthma symptoms more frequent and are more bothersome
  • Breathing is becoming more difficult
  • Need to use a quick-relief inhaler more frequently

When it comes to asthma, there are various types of asthma and have their own different types of triggers. Here are some of the most known asthma types:

  • Bronchial asthma
  • Childhood asthma
  • Adult-onset asthma
  • Allergic asthma (extrinsic asthma)
  • Nonallergic asthma (intrinsic asthma)
  • Occupational asthma
  • Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB)
  • Aspirin-induced asthma
  • Nocturnal asthma
  • Cough-variant asthma (CVA)

The cause of asthma is not fully known but scientists have explored that these factors play a role in developing asthma:

  • Genetics: Genetics plays an important role in the development of asthma. Asthma tends to runs in families.
  • Allergies: Some certain allergic conditions are connected with asthma.
  • Respiratory Infections: Some respiratory infections can cause inflammation and damage to lung tissue. The damage to the lungs can have a long-term impact on lung functions.
  • Environment: Exposure to allergens, certain irritants, or exposure to viral infections as an infant or in early childhood has been linked to developing asthma. As you get older, contact with certain chemicals and particles in the workplace may also play a role in developing asthma especially adult-onset asthma.

Asthma triggers are things that cause asthma symptoms and even asthma attacks. These can include different triggers depending on the type of asthma but here are some common triggers:

  • Airborne allergens
  • Respiratory infections: the common cold or flu
  • Physical activity
  • Cold air
  • Air pollutants and irritants
  • Certain medications: beta blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
  • Strong emotions and stress
  • Sulfites and preservatives
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of getting asthma. Here are some things to look out for:

  • Family history of asthma
  • Having other allergic conditions: atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or even normal allergies
  • Being overweight
  • Being a smoker
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Exposure to types of pollution like exhaust fumes
  • Exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals

Asthma comes with complications and it can affect the way you do things. Here are some complications you may experience:

  • Fatigue
  • Underperformance or absence from work
  • Inability to exercise, that can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure or obesity
  • Permanent problems with your lungs
  • Repeated visits to the hospital or even an emergency room visit for severe asthma attacks
  • Psychological problems: stress, anxietydepression, etc.
  • Learning problems in children
  • Side effects from the use of certain medications

Common Questions

When coming for your acupuncture appointment, you’ll get to meet one of our acupuncturists. For your first appointment, you’ll sign some forms then go through a medical examination to determine the best treatment for you. If your acupuncturist decides acupuncture, you’ll be asked to lay down and relax. Your acupuncturist will then insert the needles on top of your skin and keep them inserted for 30 minutes. Afterward, they’ll take them off and ask you how you feel. Once you’re done with your session, you’ll schedule the next series of appointments. As you keep going, you’ll start to feel the full healing of your acupuncture treatment.

No, you don’t have to be scared of the needles. The acupuncture needles don’t hurt because they are really thin and they are barely inserted on top of your skin. They’re not inserted too deep into your skin like what you would expect with regular needles. Also, when people go through the treatment, most of them feel relaxed that some actually fall asleep during the treatment. If you feel any discomfort, please tell your acupuncturist so they can adjust things.

Before going to your acupuncture appointment, there are two things you can do to prepare beforehand. One thing you can do is to remember your medical history or bring a paper copy. This will be important during the medical examination so you can answer any question your acupuncturist may have. Another thing you can do is to wear loose and comfortable clothing. It will help you relax and with the process of inserting the needles.

[1]“FastStats – Asthma.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Feb. 2020, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm.

[2] Li, Meng et al. “Acupuncture for asthma: Protocol for a systematic review.” Medicine vol. 96,26 (2017): e7296. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000007296

Award-Winning Acupuncturist

best acupuncturist in irvine

Dr. Chun-Ming Fu Ph.D.

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