Acupuncture and TCM herbs for Asthma | How it works

Asthma belongs to the category of "xiao zheng"(wheezing syndrome) in TCM. Its pathogenic factors include endopathic and exopathic aspects. The former refers to congenital defect, kidney qi deficiency and weak constitution, or allergic constitution, or the lung obstructed by long-retained phlegm. The latter is related to invasion by exogenous pathogenic factors, improper diet, emotional disturbance, over strain, etc. Phlegm, as the principal pathogenic factor, accumulates in the lung and becomes an "obstinate root" of Asthma. Because of this, an acute attack of Asthma may be induced by sudden change of climate, aspiration of allergen, improper diet, emotional disorder or over strain.

We always have parents question if TCM acupuncture or herbal medicine can help their child with Asthma. The answer is " Definitely, acupuncture and herbal medicine can reduce Asthma attacks and wheezing and also treat it from the root. But diet is crucial when it comes to treat Asthma. Nothing will work without changing the eating habits of the patient! FOOD IS ALSO MEDICINE in TCM theory.
It is not easy by any mean for children and the parents in the journey with the Diet no dairy, no sugar (except for a few fruits like apples and avocados), no cold drinks, no juice box, no pop! But NO PAIN NO GAIN! If after 3 or 6 or 12 months, No more puffer,no more steroids, no more hospital visits! Will it be great for the child? OF COURSE!

Asthma affects 1 in 6 children in North America, 50% of them have some allergies to animal dander, pollen and dust. And millions of children miss school daily because of asthma attacks.

In Chinese Medicine, childhood Asthma is often a combination of Lung, Spleen & Kidney Qi deficiency. Boosting the defensive (Wei) Qi of the Lung, and the source (Yuan) Qi of the Kidney systems, as well as nourishing the Zhong (Middle) Qi of the Spleen & Stomach with a healthy diet also with the herbal medicine from our mother nature, will result in a great outcome. 

ON top of a deficiency, there are 3 types of asthma: Cold, Heat and or Damp. No matter what, dairy and sugar should be avoided completely. 

Looking for experienced and licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner, please call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic @ 416-800-3978 to set up the appointment or book it online 

Asthma in TCM

When using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), our TCM herbalist will customize the herbal prescription to meet the specific needs of your condition. A variety of single herbs are commonly added or subtracted to maximize the clinical effectiveness of the treatment. 

Except acupuncture ,herbal medicine, cupping  therapy is also a great option to help you beat Asthma. 

One of the most remarkable treatments to improve asthma symptoms is the ancient practice of cupping, though many mainstream and even alternative doctors have been slow to embrace it. But Hippocrates used cupping and wrote about it CENTURIES ago. And a thousand years ago, the Persian physician Avicenna described a technique for using cupping to disperse inflammation in the body (which explains its efficacy as a curative measure for asthma, considering its connection to inflammation).

Acupuncture: Effective Sciatica Treatment

Sciatica is irritation of the sciatic nerve which results in pain, numbness and tingling. Sciatica pain is typically felt in the lower back radiating down the back of the thigh to below the knee. The pain may be felt as a cramp, as shooting pain down the leg or tingling in the leg or foot. Some patients report that the pain intensifies with coughing or sneezing, and bending the knees or squatting may also make it worse. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body, starting as five pairs of nerve roots in the lower or lumbar spine and extending through the buttocks and down to the lower leg. It lies near the sacrum, the back of the pelvis, the back of the thighs, behind the knee and smaller branch nerves travel all the way to the feet.

Sciatica occurs when something pushes on the sciatic nerve. This can be a muscle spasm, the spinal discs, and sometimes even the spine itself. Most often this pain is due to muscle spasms or a slipped disc, but it can also be a sign of serious illness and it is important to go to you doctor for a diagnosis. Technically, sciatica is not a disease, but a group of symptoms that affect the region of the sciatic nerve. Radiating pain is one of the more common and intense symptoms, there can also be numbness and tingling starting in the lower back radiating down the leg. Furthermore, sciatic nerve compression can be caused by several different types of spinal disorders such as: 1) a herniated disc 2) lumbar spinal stenosis 3) spondylolisthesis 4) trauma 5) piriformis syndrome 6) spinal tumors.

Acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of sciatica. Guangzhou Zengcheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial and determined that warm needle acupuncture achieves a 96.15% total effective rate. 

Treating sciatica with acupuncture is helpful because it can really relieve the pain and inflammation within the sciatic nerve. Meiji University of Oriental Medicine did research on the effectiveness of acupuncture on sciatica treatment; they found that acupuncture not only influence humans’ pain inhibitory system, it participates in causing a transient change in sciatic nerve blood blow, including circulation to the cauda equine and nerve root. To further your understanding of how acupuncture relieves sciatic nerve pain: there are important acupuncture points within our back that can effectively trigger the sciatic nerve, thereby decreasing inflammation, numbness and pain.

Most of the patients experience substantial sciatica relief after their first treatment, for 1 - 2 times treatment per week for at least 4 to 6 weeks to see the progress.

Important note: It usually take 3 to 5 years from Low back pain slowly turn into Sciatica pain, so address your low back pain in the early stage is always better than later.

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Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.

So you can experience greater health and well-being!

Acupuncture and Natural Therapies for Sciatica

1 acupuncture point to boost immunity power by Moxibustion流感季节艾灸一个穴位提升免疫力

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy that is used in Traditional Oriental Medicine.  It is made from the Chinese herb, Mugwort (Artemisiae Argyi).  It comes in many forms, as moxa sticks, cones, loose herb, etc to provide indirect and direct stimulation on acupuncture points.  It is a gentle yet effective way to strengthen your body.  Moxibustion therapy is a gem of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 

Moxibustion or moxa on the acupuncture point ST36 is traditionally used to improve longevity and prevent illness.  It strengthens the body by tonifying the qi and blood and boosting the immune system.

Moxibustion can be a simple addition to a treatment that can boost your immunity, strengthen your body, and increase your general sense of well-being!  It’s an easy way to boost your immunity during this flu season.  

Ask your acupuncturist if moxa is right for you.

 流感季节，预防为主，这年头我们都知道拼的不是财力学历或什么权力，拼的是我们身体的自身免疫力，所以提高免疫力是防病抗毒的关键。

提高免疫力除了养成积极的生活习惯,比如充足的睡眠，合理的饮食，适量的运动，保持良好的情绪是关键外，还有一个很古老又简单有效而且在家里就可以调理的方法：艾灸，中古历代在防疫中，这不起眼的艾草从来就扮演着举足轻重的角色，因为它就是提高我们身体免疫力最简单而有效的办法。

用艾草防疫，在中国有着上千年的历史，现代医学药理也证明艾草是一种抗菌抗病毒的药物，其对病菌有着抑制和杀伤的作用，而且对呼吸系统疾病也有防治的效果。熏艾条可以除湿、杀虫、除菌。

《内经》云：“正气存内，邪不可干。”艾灸最能补人体之阳气之正气，《扁鹊心书》中说：“保命之法，灼艾第一。”“日为天之阳，艾为地之阳。”据现代科学研究表明，艾草是所有植物中进行光合作用效率最高的植物，生长过程中能极大吸收转化太阳热能。艾灸过程中，能释放大量阳气被人体吸收，循经走络，直达病灶，能有效祛除寒湿邪气，通经络，调气血，补元阳，强大身体的免疫功能。那么灸哪个穴位最能提高免疫力。我们都知道中医有这么一句话“常灸足三里，胜吃老母鸡” 为自己和家人的健康点上一支艾香。

Acupuncture Moxibustion for Fetal Malposition Breech baby

The root cause of fetal malposition is considered in traditional Chinese medicine to result from a deficiency in Kidney energy which, due to the Kidney’s relationship to the uterus and its role in nourishing the foetus, may lead to either deficiency or stagnation of uterine qi and foetal qi and blood. 

The yin of the Kidney nourishes and dominates the development and growth of the foetus through the pregnancy. As the birth date approaches and yin reaches its zenith, yang must begin to grow in order to turn the foetus and prepare for the intense activity of birth. If, towards the time of delivery, there is insufficient yang activity of the uterus, due either to deficiency or stagnation, then yang must be stimulated. Enough Yang means having enough energy, or enough strength, which it is very important for breech fetus turning around or for baby delivery.

TCM Acupuncture / Moxibustion Treatment

The traditional chinese Acupuncture /Moxibustion treatment involves the application of a tiny needle or a moxa stick to the acupuncture point Zhiyin BL-67 along with other acupoints for about 20 to 30 minutes, once a day for ten days, or twice a week for 8 to 10 sessions.

Timing of treatment 

Looking at the optimum time for turning a breech baby with acupuncture / moxibustion have found that intervention is most efficient between week 33 to week 35, before the baby has grown too big. 

Suggestion: See the licensed and experienced acupuncturist when you are as close to 34 weeks pregnant for twice a week Acupuncture / Moxibustion treatment at least for 8 to 10 sessions. It is not only for breech baby turing around, but also for a smoother delivery.