Fwd: Asthma

August 3, 2001

There are several TCM Roots that can manifest as asthma - Kidneys Refusing

to Receive Qi, Liver Fire Insulting Lungs, Lung Qi Deficiency, Invasion of

Lungs By Wind-Water, and Damp-Phlegm or Phlegm Heat or Phlegm Fluids

Obstructing the Lungs. Phlegm is Dampness that has stayed around too long

and congealed. In the case of the last 3 there will be a factor of Spleen

Qi or Spleen Yang Deficiency. (The Spleen Qi is responsible for moving and

transforming fluids. If it's Deficient, the Fluids don't get moved and

congel into Phlegm.

In addition, Stomach Qi Rebelling can be a Root of asthma in cases where

reflux of the stomach's contents are inhaled into the lungs and damage them.

(Stomach Qi is supposed to descend. When it ascends instead this is

called Stomach Qi Rebelling.) Some disorders of the Large Intestine also

can be a factor in asthma. The Lungs and the Large Intestine are coupled

systems. The Lungs are Yin Metal, and the Large Intestine is Yang Metal.

(A little 5 Element information here.) One technique for removing Heat from

the Lungs is to purge the Large Intestine. It's also true that when there

is Stagnation in the Large Intestine from whatever reason (grief which

interfers with Lung Qi descending, Cold Invading the Large Intestine, etc.),

Heat can build in the Lungs and be a factor in some cases of astham. You

won't see breathing problems listed as a possible manifestation of certain

Large Intestine imbalances in most basic texts, but it happens. This is a

person who can breathe easier after a bowel movement. (Note: When a bowel

movement relieves any symptom (breathing problems, pain, etc.), this points

to the condition being one of Excess - Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis, Phlegm,

Excess Cold, etc. When a bowel movement makes a symptom worse, this points

to a Deficiency Root.)

>I am just wondering what kind of technique was used on those points,

>tonifying, reducing, or something else. Anyone has any idea?

I'm not an acupunturist, but I use acupressure. I can't speak for all the

TCM syndromes that can underlie breathing problems, but I can tell you that

in the case of Kidneys Refusing to Receive Qi, Kidney 27 and Kidney 25

worked very well for me. Of course I also was using herbs to address the

Kidney Yang Deficiency and Interior Cold problems. (Kidneys Refusing to

Receive Qi is a form of Yang Deficiency.)

Some acupoints for some conditions work very well in acupressure without

considerations of tonifying or reducing. Others don't. Perhaps if you

narrowed it down to a specific TCM Root of the asthma some of the

acupunturists on here could give you some ideas.

BTW, not all underlying factors in asthma are TCM related. For example,

misalignment of the spine can result in breathing problems. A chiropractor

or DO adjustment can clear the problem. Magnesium deficiency can be a

factor in asthma. Mg not only dilates the breathing passages, it enables

muscles to relax. Sometimes Mg deficiency will result in a person not being

able to move the diaphragm. Mg deficiency and the inability of muscles to

relax also can be a factor in Qi Stagnation and even Blood Stasis. Low

blood sugar also can be a factor in breathing problems.

I'm not including " bracing " in the non-TCM category because TCM takes into

account the effects of emotions on Qi flow.

Some general guidelines to remember is if the person has more problems

inhaling than exhaling, this points to a Deficiency condition. If the

breathing problems are worse when the person lies down, this points to

Dampness and Phlegm. But this also can be Stomach Qi Rebelling and reflux

damaging the lungs. If exercise makes the breathing problems, this points

to Spleen Qi Deficiency being a factor. If cold triggers the breathing

problems, this points to Interior Excess Cold and/or Yang Deficiency

(Deficiency Cold).

>It always makes me wondering when some points are specified but no

>technique is given as different technique produces different results.

>Am I missing something?

I'm hoping some of the acupunturists will post something on tonifying and

reducing techniques. There are posts in the archives on " grabbing " Qi.

There are various sensations that both the client and the acupunturist will

experience when the needle has contacted the Qi.

> > >Moxa has been applied occasionally as alternate to acupuncture in

>L1, L2.

The use of moxa will supplement Yang in the body.

Maciocia in the Foundations of gives a number of uses for

Lung 1. " Regulates Lung-Qi and stops cough. Stimulates the descending of

Lung-Qi. Disperses fullness from the chest and stops pain. " (p. 369)

Maciocia says it gets used mainly in " acute Excess patterns of the Lungs to

disperse fullness from the chest and to clear Lung-Heat. " (Like in the

later stages of invasion by an Exterior Evil.) He also mentions it for

Phlegm and for " treating chest pain deriving from stagnation of Heart-Blood

or retention of Phlegm in the chest. " (p. 369) He also mentions it for

" shoulder or upper back pain deriving from a Lung channel dysfunction, such

as in Lung-Heat, Damp-Phlegm, or Phlegm Heat obstructing the Lungs. The

'Simple Questions' in chapter 22 says: 'When the Lungs are diseased, Qi

rebels upwards causing breathelssness and there is pain in the shoulders or

(upper) back.' " (p. 370)

The functions of Lung 2 are similar to those of Lung 1 but weaker. But Lu2

can be used for Painful Obstruction Syndrome in the shoulder when the person

" cannot adduct the arm (i.e. bring the arm over close to the body towards

the opposite side). " (p. 370)

Victoria

_______________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

August 3, 2001