Asthma is a tightening and swelling of the airways accompanied by over-production of mucus, leading to dyspnea. It’s often worse at night and is common in kids.
Signs and symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain, and a sense of pressure in the chest. Asthma can be triggered by respiratory infections (colds, flus, etc.), allergens of all kinds, and irritants like dust, strong perfumey things (cologne, incense, cleaning agents), and air pollution (both indoor and outdoor). Additionally, many asthma patients have worse symptoms when they exercise, when the weather or humidity changes (especially sudden changes), or when they have strong emotions (both positive and negative).
Asthma must be treated in many ways – diet changes to eliminate phlegm production and environment changes to eliminate pollutants and irritants. Getting rid of carpeting helped me more than I can express, or instance. Carpet is a dust magnet. Mindfulness meditation to control strong emotional swings helps greatly too. Chinese herbs help as well.
Water Through, Water Gold Option
Bilateral needle:
Shui Jin and Shui Tong (Water Through, Water Gold)
Left side:
Lu 5, Lu 6, Lu 8 or San Shi (Three Scholars) Just me, but I like the San Shi option better.
Right side:
Ki 3, Ki 5, Ki 7, Shen Guan 77.18
Point Discussion
Shui Jin (Water Gold) and Shui Tong (Water Through) are named as a reference to the Kidneys, on which they have a great effect. If you remember your basics, the Kidneys are the organ responsible for receiving and holding the breath so your body can draw the nutrients and needed gasses from the air you inhale. Without strong Kidneys the body can’t really retain the breath long enough to do that well, hence the shortness of breath in asthma patients. The “Through” part of the Shui Tong/Water Through point refers to needling through this point. Needle from this point through to the Water Gold/Shui Jin point.
The Lung 5, 6, and 8 points are a type of dao ma set to talk to the Lung channel, one of the two involved in asthma. Kidney 3 (Shu Stream), 5 (Xi Cleft) and 7 (Jing River) points are another dao ma type set to address the other channel involved in asthma. Shen Guan also has a strong effect on the Kidney and is used for any chronic internal issue. San Shi functions in much the same way, but I feel that it gives a better result than the Lung points.
Three Needle Option
It's a quick three needle option that works very well. I've used it for both emergencies and as points during the course of a larger treatment. The sides are not important or this. You can needle them on either side or you can needle bilaterally.