Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people of all ages, causing shortness of breath, wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest. As an ancient Indian proverb puts it, “breath is life; if you breathe well, you will live a long life on this earth.” At the Machat Ruach clinic, Shai Davids works with asthma patients using an approach that combines understanding of both the physical and emotional factors behind the condition.

What Causes Asthma

Asthma can appear as a result of several different factors, and sometimes as a combination of them.

• Hereditary factors and a family tendency toward respiratory and allergic conditions
• Allergies to environmental triggers such as dust, pollen or pet hair
• Ongoing stress and anxiety
• Physical exertion, which can trigger an attack in some people

Conventional Treatment in Western Medicine

Standard asthma treatment usually includes cortisone and inhalers intended to open the airways, the bronchi. In many children, asthma disappears after a few years, but it can also appear at any stage of adult life. Most attacks are short-lived, but when an attack lasts an hour or more, medical help should be sought without delay, since a severe attack can be dangerous.

Asthma From the Perspective of Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, three organs are considered involved in asthma: the lungs, the spleen and the kidneys, in the sense of their energetic function. The main factor is usually phlegm produced as a result of weakness in the spleen and kidneys. An experienced Chinese medicine practitioner identifies the root cause based on the nature of the complaint and the patient’s medical history, and builds a precise treatment plan around it.

When the problem originates in the kidneys, whose role is to anchor the breath, treatment focuses on strengthening them. When it originates in the spleen, which is producing excess dampness, the treatment differs and focuses on drying that dampness and strengthening the spleen. And when the lungs are energetically weak and struggle to send the breath downward, acupuncture treatment is directed at opening the lung energy and clearing the airways.

When the Liver Is Involved

At times asthma is aggravated by involvement of the liver: stress and tension affect lung function, and an asthma attack can develop as a result. In such cases, treatment includes acupuncture at calming and strengthening points, aimed at easing the emotional load and supporting the respiratory system.

Managing Asthma in Daily Life

Alongside professional treatment, a few daily habits can help reduce the frequency of attacks and support more stable breathing.

• Identifying and reducing exposure to allergy triggers at home and at work
• Practicing regular breathing exercises to strengthen the lungs
• Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke
• Managing stress through rest, gentle movement or daily relaxation

Research and Scientific Interest

A hospital in London is conducting clinical research into the effects of acupuncture on asthma, and a hospital in Oxford is studying the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on the condition. Asthma responds well to both types of treatment, herbal medicine and acupuncture, provided the treatment is given by a skilled and experienced practitioner.

Treatment at Machat Ruach

At Machat Ruach, the complementary medicine and acupuncture clinic in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan, treatments are tailored individually to a wide range of issues, including breathing problems, coughing, recurring colds and asthma, along with cupping and Chinese herbal medicine as additional support in the healing process.

Booking a Treatment

If you or your child are dealing with asthma and would like to explore a complementary approach alongside existing treatment, you are welcome to contact the Machat Ruach clinics. Click here to book a treatment.