Managing Asthma Through Alternative Therapies

Managing Asthma Through Alternative Therapies

An estimated 2.4 million people in Canada are living with asthma. Managing a chronic illness such as asthma requires consistent care. For some, asthma is an occasional issue when confronted with pet dander, tree pollen, or cigarette smoke. For others, stress, intense or prolonged exercise, and air quality can activate an asthma attack requiring the use of an inhaler.

Whether you have a chronic condition or are classified as mild intermittent, you may benefit from alternative methods to help you with long-term management of your asthma.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is an autoimmune disease that causes the bronchi (large airways) to become inflamed, preventing the lungs from having a clear pathway to distribute air to the body.  The inflammation and resulting excess mucus can make the throat feel blocked off. The muscles surrounding the airways tighten, and the sufferer is unable to breathe. During an attack, the sufferer uses a Ventolin inhaler which has bronchodilators to help open the airways up again.

• Environmental Triggers for Asthma – Common triggers are exposure to environmental factors, such as grass, trees, and pollen. Cigarette smoke along with strong perfumes can also irritate the lungs. Allergies can also cause the lungs to fill with mucus. Air pollution also affects asthma suffers, especially when there is poor air quality on hot summer days in the afternoon or early evening.

• Stress Triggers for Asthma – Stress and anxiety can also play a role in asthma attacks. Whether it’s worry about your job, bills, or family, stress can leave you feeling panicked and short of breath. This anxiety can itself cause stress, which can result in a vicious feedback loop that spirals out of control.

Using your inhaler is always the right decision in an emergency. However, if you’re considering adding support for long term maintenance, there are natural methods to help manage your asthma.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been around for approximately 3000 years and has been especially prevalent within Eastern medicine traditions. An acupuncturist uses tiny atraumatic needles to help stimulate blood flow and energy within the body. The needles are inserted into the skin in strategic places and left for approximately fifteen to thirty minutes. It commonly takes six to twelve treatments to gain the full benefits of treatment.

Many have found acupuncture to be an effective non-medicinal way to help maintain general health and vitality within the body and through this positively affect asthma-related issues.

How acupuncture helps manage asthma symptoms:

• Stimulates blood flow
• Increases relaxation in the body and airways
• Unblocks your qi (pronounced “CHEE”} or vital energy, assisting the entire body in achieving a healthy state

Chiropractic Therapy

A chiropractor is primarily concerned with the musculoskeletal system and its alignment. Misalignment of the spine and other parts of the body can affect the nervous system. At your appointment, the chiropractor will perform adjustments to increase spinal motion, reduce pain and improve flexibility in the neck and back. It is important to note that these adjustments are being executed by a trained professional and should not be tried at home. If required, your chiropractor will give you specific at-home exercises to encourage proper alignment.

• How Can Chiropractic Help My Asthma?

Chiropractic care works to correct spinal subluxations (another term for misalignment). The spinal cord controls various parts of the body. It is a link between the body and the brain. This is why chiropractic work is an asset in the regular maintenance of asthma. It is geared towards protecting the body’s natural alignment. Chiropractic work is about a focus on the total alignment of the spine and nerves, which effectively controls the entire body.

How chiropractic care can help manage asthma symptoms

• Fixing musculoskeletal alignment problems in the ribcage and spine
• Allowing the thoracic cavity to properly expand when breathing
• Enabling better breath control
• Improved neural function

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be traced back to the classical era in Africa and Asia. Chinese medical texts from around 2700 BCE provide instruction in massage, as well as acupuncture and acupressure. Roughly contemporaneous depictions in Egyptian tomb paintings likely depict massage and reflexology as part of their medical tradition. It was first mentioned in European medicine around 800 BCE as one technique used to help Greek athletes recover faster between games.

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissue, including muscles, ligaments, and joints to reduce inflammation, promote blood flow, and help muscles stay relaxed and in their natural alignment. Regular massage treatments can provide improved relaxation, helping to open up the airways and promote freer breathing, and stimulate the lymphatic system. Some insurance companies provide partial coverage for massage therapy sessions.

How massage therapy can help manage asthma symptoms

• Alleviate tense muscles & headaches
• Help support a natural body alignment
• Improves sleep
• Eases anxiety and depression
• Boosts immunity

• How Can Massage Therapy Help My Asthma

Because asthma is often linked to stress, the calming effects of massage make it a great addition to your medical plan. The chest, neck, back, and upper body can all see excessive stress due to the coughing and wheezing that occurs during an asthma attack. Massage therapy releases tension and promotes freer movement and breathing. This will help the body maintain a calm and stress-free sense of wellbeing.

As with all medical conditions, it is essential to consult your doctor before starting a new health regime. Everyone’s body reacts differently, and it is necessary to find effective treatments for your specific needs.

If you and your doctor feel you could benefit from acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage therapy in managing your asthma symptoms, the trained therapists at the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres of Ontario have the expertise to provide you with the support and treatments you require. There are six locations to choose from, including a new Scarborough West location at 520 Ellesmere Road, Suite 215.

Email  general@sparcrehab.com or call 416-445-2075 to book an appointment. Let the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres of Ontario help you get to a healthier place and stay there.