I’m interested in more information about how acupuncture might help my asthma, which I’ve had for many years. I look forward to your response, and thank you.

- By email

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Hi there...

Thank you for your inquiry.

Asthma is one of the many conditions treated historically by Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As the incidence of asthma in the world is increasing steadily, our clinic has chosen to put our focus into the treatment of the condition. 

Some time ago, we brought in an expert to further train us in treating asthma.  Dr. Robert Helmer, a doctor of TCM, has been researching the treatment of asthma in a university in London, England for the past 3 years.  Much scientific research is being done on a regular basis in China, but only a limited amount is being translated into English due to a lack of qualified translators.  Dr. Helmer is one such translator and has brought to us a wealth of new knowledge coming directly from the source. 

Getting to the point, a program is offered at Qi Integrated Health, the goal of which is to use Traditional Chinese herbs to first bring one’s asthma symptoms under control. This first step involves approximately 6-8 weeks of daily herb intake. We have our patients using a Peak Flow Meter to measure the increased lung output so that we can make recommendations, through the patient, that their MD safely reduce the dosage of their prescribed pharmaceuticals appropriately.  Once the patient is safely off their pharmaceutical prescriptions, and showing no signs or symptoms of their asthma, they are then titrated off the daily herbal prescriptions. This entire process is estimated to take 6 months. Throughout the program, acupuncture is also recommended as an adjunct modality, and is included in the price of the program.

The Asthma program’s cost is $1200, not including the cost of the herbal prescriptions.

An optional, “Herbal Only” package is available for $800.

All patients who’d signed on to the Asthma program since the beginning are now at the 8 week mark.  None are showing any signs of asthma.  Many have been exposed to the usual triggers of their asthma and have experienced no allergic or asthmatic reactions.  Many have begun to reduce the use of their inhalers with no problem.

The mechanism of asthma is that of a 3-fold constricting of the airways of the lung.  In response to an environmental/emotional trigger, the hyper-reactive smooth muscles surrounding the airways tighten.  Over time, the walls of the airways become inflamed and widen, further reducing the diameter of the airway.  Thirdly, mucus is excreted into the airway during an attack, further occluding the already compromised passage.  Chinese medicinals are effective in relaxing the smooth muscles, reducing chronic inflammation of the airway wall, as well as in removing/expelling the mucus buildup...all without the long-term side effects produced by the various drugs used by allopathic medicine to control (not cure) the condition.

I’m happy to answer any further questions you have.  I also encourage you to jump into this program soon.  In Chinese medicine, Asthma is considered a Yin disease and should be treated in Yang time (the summer).

Sincerely,

Peter

Dr. Peter Wood, Dr.TCM

Wood Way Acupuncture

You’ll feel WAY better!

Web: www.woodway.ca

Please call now to book your appointment - 604.742.8383 (Qi Integrated Health)