China has given the world traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. The latter is a healing procedure that has been practiced for millennia in East Asia and these days it continues to grown in popularity in the Western World. People who don’t know what acupuncture is may seem it strange that inserting one or more needles into a person’ skin could help treat a number of health problems, including bronchitis.
Experiencing Acupuncture for the First Time
People getting acupuncture for the first time, may not be aware of the underlying principle as to why this therapy should work. A lot of them only know about it through family or friends who have received certain health benefits.
Acupuncture – The Two Schools Of Thought
Two main theories explaining how acupuncture works predominate today. One school of though is traditional acupuncture, whose foundation is an ancient system of healing system that has its roots in China. This type of acupuncture practice thinks that the needles that inserted into points known as acupuncture points correspond to different parts of the body that lie upon pathways of energy called meridians.
Traditional acupuncture practitioners believe that vital energy called qi flows along 12 meridians and if the energy becomes imbalanced, disease or disorder can develop. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM diagnose a patient using a number of diagnostic tools and more often than not utilize acupuncture for treatment, and complement it with Chinese herbal medicine.
Medical acupuncture is the other prevailing school of thought. Practitioners of this type of acupuncture believe that the needles stimulate the central nervous system of the person causing the nervous system to produce beneficial chemicals and hormones.
Acupuncturists Believe Acupuncture Can Help Bronchitis
Whether or not you believe in the two schools of thought of acupuncture, or whether you want to “see or feel first before believing” there are people with bronchitis who have really experienced the relief of their symptoms with acupuncture. The fact is this modality not only can help prevent future attacks and boost the function of the lungs as well.
What Is Bronchitis?
The bronchi are the main airways of the lungs. One can be infected with a pathogen that can result in the inflammation of the bronchi. This condition is what is called bronchitis. The main symptom of this condition is a hacking cough. In certain instances, the cough comes with a gray, yellowish color mucus.
The TCM Perspective about Bronchitis
TCM practitioners argue that bronchitis is either caused by external or internal pathogenic factors. External pathogenic factors are seasonal pathogens while pathogenic factors cause internal organ problems. Typically, acute bronchitis conditions are brought about by external factors; chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is due to internal factors.
Treating Bronchitis Using Acupuncture
Doctors believe that most cases of bronchitis can be properly controlled at home. They also think that so far, there is still no known cure for chronic bronchitis. Acupuncture can aid in strengthening the immune system of the patient as well as put the entire health system of the patient back into balance. The function of the Lung is also strengthened. After a number of treatment sessions, the affected parts and organs of the body become stronger and more balanced.
Acupuncture therapies can also help lessen treatments, cuts down congestion and lessens reactivity to chemical or physical factors called irritants. The plan of treatment will be determined by a licensed acupuncturist after the diagnosis and can differ from person to person. For acute bronchitis, it usually requires a few 15 to 20 minute sessions while chronic bronchitis may need around ten to fifteen sessions to receive significant results.