Acupuncture as an asthma treatment: Worth exploring?
Acupuncture, a therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is gaining attention as a potential treatment for asthma. While the current state of research shows promising but still preliminary evidence of benefits, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to firmly establish its role in asthma management.
The lung meridian, which runs from the upper central chest to the tip of the thumb, is particularly linked to respiratory health. This meridian has 11 acupuncture points, with Chi Ze (LU5), on the inner portion of the elbow, being of particular interest. Acupuncture has been found to reduce symptoms and improve lung and immune function in some studies, such as one on cough-variant asthma.
Acupressure, a related therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, is low-risk and safe for most people to try. However, it's essential to consult a doctor before attempting acupuncture to determine how it could fit into an asthma treatment plan.
Not all studies show consistently positive results. For instance, a 2015 study reported no significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture regarding asthma symptom improvement. On the other hand, a 2017 review could not draw any reliable conclusions regarding the effects of acupressure on asthma or hay fever symptoms due to limited research.
Despite these mixed results, the possible benefits of acupuncture for asthma include symptom reduction, potential adjunctive therapy, individualized treatment, and a low risk of adverse effects. Some scientists believe acupuncture could help with asthma due to its potential anti-inflammatory benefits. A combination of acupuncture and conventional treatment may ease asthma symptoms and decrease the overactive immune response that causes them.
A single acupuncture session each week for six weeks often produces results in clinical studies for asthma relief, but the number of sessions needed can vary. It's crucial to note that acupuncture should not replace standard asthma therapies but may enhance control and quality of life.
One double-blind randomized trial in teenagers with asthma found that Acu-TENS (a technique stimulating acupuncture points via electrical nerve stimulation) significantly improved lung function parameters and reduced serum IgE levels, as well as improved quality of life scores compared to controls. Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, has shown clinical effectiveness and high safety in pediatric allergic diseases, suggesting potential as a complementary or integrative therapy.
However, limitations include small sample sizes, varied acupuncture protocols, and insufficient large-scale randomized controlled trials to draw definitive conclusions. Mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated, though hypotheses involve neuroimmune modulation and reduction in inflammatory markers. Systematic reviews call for larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials to establish robust evidence of efficacy specifically for asthma management.
When a person receives acupuncture from a qualified practitioner, it can be a safe treatment. However, some side effects can occur around the needle insertion points, including pain, bleeding, swelling, and skin reactions. During an acute asthma attack, a person should not rely on acupuncture as a substitute for immediate medical intervention, following their asthma action plan and using rescue inhalers.
In summary, acupuncture shows potential benefits for asthma by improving lung function and reducing symptoms with a favorable safety profile. However, research is still evolving, with a need for more rigorous clinical trials to firmly establish its role in asthma management. People should seek medical advice under certain circumstances, such as worsening symptoms, symptoms becoming so frequent or severe that they interfere with daily activities and disrupt sleep or quality of life, or having questions about their asthma management, treatment options, or the potential role of acupuncture.
