Respiratory System Disorders and Therapy From a New - Louis Bolk ...

tension and relaxation, afferent and efferent activity in the respiratory tract. This rhythmic
process is disturbed in asthma in the direction of a consolidating and afferent nerve/sensory
dynamic. The diagram of fig. 6.1. portrays the dynamic disturbance of the asthmatic, as we
discussed in sections 3.1.6. and 3.3.1. From this, one can deduce the direction of therapy,
which is to move the abrogated healing process along (see 2.4.3.). The consolidating,
hyperreactive, non-dissolving dynamic of asthma must be brought into movement. We can
do this at all of the previously discussed levels of the disturbed dynamic (fig.6.1.).
Regular Medicine
In asthma, treatment is anti-inflammatory and/or directed towards bronchodilatation in
regular medicine. This therapy has been validated by epidemiological studies.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, and Asthma
There is a high prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) usage in
patients with asthma and COPD, especially those not involving medications. The appeal
of treating asthma with vitamins, “natural” herbal treatments, special diets, exercise
programs, special breathing methods, shiatsu, and acupuncture — some of the many nontraditional
approaches to asthma care — is perhaps related to the sense that one may be
able to avoid taking too many synthetic chemicals into one’s body.
Evidence from some clinical studies supports beneficial effects of TCM herbal therapy on
asthma. A number of mechanisms may be responsible for the efficacy of these agents.
Strong preclinical study data suggest potential efficacy of a so-called food allergy herbal
formula-2 for food allergies. Acupuncture is also used in asthma therapy.
A new review on complementary interventions stated: Recent studies indicate that TCM
therapy including herbal medicines and acupuncture for allergic disorders in children is
well tolerated. There are also promising clinical and objective improvements (Li 2009).
For ayurvedic herbs in TCM, a recent group concluded: “ Herbs may be useful in treatment
of asthma. There is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for or against the
use of these herbals. Established effectiveness must be balanced with a study of the
quality and safety profile for the herb” (Singh 2007). For many of these cases clear
evidence for efficacy and safety is lacking as yet (Li et al 2009).
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