Acupressure For Asthma Relief

Affecting nearly 1 in 12 people worldwide, asthma is an all-too-common respiratory disease. Asthma is characterized by variable symptoms of wheezes, shortness of breath, chest tightness, fatigue, and/or cough. While some people assume asthma is nothing more than a mild condition with no real health implications, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In 2011 alone, a quarter of a million people lost their lives as a result of asthma-related complications.

If you or someone you know suffers from asthma, you should consider using acupressure to treat it (along with use of current asthma medication). While there’s no known cure for asthma, many people have reported significant relief through acupressure.

What Is Acupressure?

Not to be confused with acupuncture, acupressure is a form of alternative medicine that involves pressure exerted on specific areas of the body in an attempt to restore the body’s flow of life energy (Qi). Treatment typically involves placing the fingers, hand or elbow on the problematic meridians and pressing down with moderate pressure. By placing pressure on these areas, Qi is able to flow freely once again; thus, relieving a wide variety of adverse symptoms and conditions.

Using Acupressure To Assist in Treatment of Asthma

One of the many benefits of acupressure is that it can be performed anywhere, anytime. Furthermore, you can perform it on yourself, to help reduce flares and ease breathing.

One study showed that people with clinically stable, chronic obstructive asthma experienced significant improvements in quality of life when their standard care was supplemented with acupuncture or acupressure.

If you suffer from asthma, try placing pressure on your upper left or right chest area, about three finger widths under the collarbone. Using two or three fingers, gently press this area and hold it in place for 30-45 seconds before releasing. In addition to treating asthma, this acupressure point is also known to relieve chest congestion, coughing and difficulties breathing.

Another helpful acupressure point for asthma sufferers is found next to the breastbone, also below the collarbone. Simply follow the steps outlined above by placing two or three fingers here and you should notice an improvement in your symptoms.

If you suffer from chronic respiratory concerns or have questions. Give our office a call today at (425) 686-4498 to learn how we can help!

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free  and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.

Sources:

https://asnj.journals.ekb.eg/article_139404.html

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/107555303322524517