For some children with asthma, medication isn’t enough to manage their symptoms. And for others the side effects of conventional treatments are just too much. If you’re looking for alternative therapies then you should know that acupuncture and acupressure can treat your child’s asthma symptoms while healing the underlying root cause.
Acupuncture and acupressure work to treat health conditions by stimulating the body’s innate ability to heal itself. In the case of asthma, acupuncture has a positive effect on two components that contribute to asthma attacks. First, it helps regulate the immune response that triggers inflammation.
Second, preliminary studies suggest that acupuncture reduces the reflexive response that causes airway constriction. A recent nationwide cohort study from Taiwan found that children with asthma receiving acupuncture along with regular medical care had better therapeutic outcomes. The children in the study in this integrative group did not require ER visits or hospitalizations. Researchers concluded that an integrative approach appears to help control asthma symptoms better than a single isolated treatment, thus reducing ER visits and school absenteeism. (1)
Routine Acupuncture Visits Can Help
In our experience, regular acupuncture visits are a key part of a comprehensive treatment plan for asthma. Children with symptoms like cough, wheezing or chest tightness often feel relief within minutes of receiving treatment. And these positive effects are magnified when a child receives consistent & regular acupuncture treatments.
It’s All About The Diet
Dietary and lifestyle changes are a powerful combination and work together to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma overall. Removing foods such as dairy, gluten, and sugar along with food additives, like artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, from your child’s diet can help to reduce inflammation and limit mucus production.
Healing with Herbs
Children with symptoms such as chronic runny nose (rhinitis) or allergies that trigger asthma can also find significant relief with herbal medicine. Chinese herbal remedies are a safe & effective way of managing allergies & asthma – and may have far fewer side effects than conventional medications.
Kids Can Do Nasal Rinsing
The body is all connected so controlling symptoms in the upper airways will ultimately help control symptoms in the lower airways, thus alleviating asthma symptoms. Regular daily nasal rinsing is a great way to help children with a runny nose and allergies control their asthma. Our favorite nasal rinse device is the super user-friendly NasoPure created by Dr. Hana Solomon, M.D.
Acupuncture by Heidi in Duluth MN
The potential for healing with acupuncture is enormous and can be life-changing!
Acupuncture is an extremely safe method of treatment that is well tolerated, even in babies and children. With its ability to address part of the underlying components of asthma, as well as ease symptoms during treatment, it can
be an integral part of any
treatment plan
for asthma.
