Spring and Summer Air can stir asthma symptoms

Asthma, a condition characterized by narrowing of the airways often due to mucus, can be triggered by the onset of spring and summer. These seasons frequently introduce various pollens into the air, which can enter the airways and lungs, leading to coughing that may be dry or phlegmy depending on the body’s reaction.

When breathing becomes difficult and deep breaths become challenging, anxiety often flares up, further tightening the airways and worsening the symptoms. It’s crucial to seek a diagnosis from a physician, as asthma is a biomedical condition.

From an East Asian medicine perspective, we analyze the symptoms and, using our diagnostic system, identify the underlying cause. Treatment with acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine is based on this diagnosis rather than the Western medical diagnostic label. This is because asthma can have various origins, such as a deficiency in the body or an excessive response to pollen invasion. In East Asian medicine, these conditions are treated differently, as one is a deficient pattern and the other an excess one. Acupuncture aims to rebalance the body, fill the deficiency, or calm the excess in both cases.

In the moment, one effective approach to managing asthma is to scan your body and observe the changes occurring. Allowing yourself a minute or two to feel the sensations can help you regain control of your breathing. It’s important to note that this practice should not replace any medication prescribed by your physician; rather, it can enhance the benefits of medication.

In conjunction with your doctor, acupuncture may help you reduce the need for medication. In the long run, allowing your body to realign itself can provide a sense of control over your life.