Acupuncture Therapy
Hu, et al. reported a total effective rate of 81.97% in treating 61 cases of bronchial asthma with acupuncture. The acupoints treated included the following: Dazhui (D 14), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Fengmen (B12), Feishu (B13), Zusanli (S36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Kongzhui (L 6), etc. Measurements were taken before and after the treatment on T-lymphocyte subgroup, serum IL-4 and IgE, and the results indicated that the treatment could raise the sagged CD+ |~8| value (P <0.01), lower the elevated CD+|~4 |/CD+|~ 8|, and significantly lower the elevated IL-4 (P<0.01) and IgE (P<0.001) levels.(
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Cheng, et al. treated 60 cases of infantile panting syndrome with pricking blood therapy. The congestive subcutaneous veins around the anus were pricked with a sterilized three-edged needle to draw a little blood, and then the local area was applied a layer of alum powder. The patients were not on any other medication while under the present treatment. The results: 24 cases significantly improved, 34 cases improved, and 2 cases with no response. The total effective rate was 96.67%.(13)
Tan treated 19 cases of acute asthma attack by needling acupoint Yuji unilaterally. The needles were inserted obliquely about 6-fen (20 millimeters) deep, manipulated by lifting and thrusting, and then retained for 15-25 minutes. The results: 13 patients had their panting and shortness of breath symptoms relieved after being treated for 7-21 minutes; 6 patients had their symptoms significantly improved after being treated for an average of 23 minutes.(14)
Acupoint Injection Therapy
Wang, et al. treated 260 cases of bronchial asthma by injection at acupoint Dingchuan (EX-B 1). The syringe needle-tip, containing 4ml of Yu Xing Cao, was rapidly inserted and straight into this acupoint about 1cm deep to push the injection solution into the tissue, about 0.5ml for each acupoint. For patients under 15 years of age, Kongzhui (L 6) was treated instead of Dingchuan (EX-B 1). During an asthma attack, the acupoint-injection was administered once a day, with 2ml of Yu Xing Cao solution for each side and bilateral sides were used. After panting had ceased, the acupoint injection was administered once every other day. One unit of treatment consisted of 10 injection sessions. The results: 206 cases fully recovered, 42 cases improved, and 12 cases with no response. The total effective rate being 95%.(15)
Meng, et al. treated 42 cases of panting by injecting the patient's own blood into acupoints Fengmen (B 12) and Feishu (B 13). A suitable amount of fresh blood drawn from the patient's own cubital vein was injected rapidly into the acupoints. This treatment was conducted once every week, and 4 sessions constituted a unit of treatment. The results: after 2 units of treatment, 15 cases fully recovered, 23 cases improved, and 4 cases with no response.(16)
Xiong, et al. treated 88 cases of infantile cough and asthma by acupoint injection therapy. Hegu (LI4), Feishu (B 13), and Dingchuan (EX-B 1) were chosen as the main acupoints to receive treatment, while Zusanli (S 36), Xuehai (SP 10), and Fenglong (S 40) were considered as adjunct acupoints. For infants under 1 year old, 0.25mg of Kadisu was injected into each acupoint. For older infants, the dosage was doubled. For the first 3 days, one application was given each day. After that, the regime was changed to once every 2-3 days. The entire treatment constituted 12 applications. The results: 44 cases fully recovered, 23 had their symptoms brought was under control, 16 cases significantly improved, and the remaining 5 cases improved. The total effective rate was 100%.(17)
Acupoint Application
Lu treated 117 cases of asthma by externally applying a herbal paste to acupoints. The paste was made from a formula called Bai Jie Zi San and applied during the three hottest periods of the year (falling in mid-July to late August). The results: 17 cases fully recovered, 61 cases significantly improved, 22 improved, and the remaining 17 cases with no response. The total effective rate was 85.8%.(18)
Similarly, Wu, et al. treated asthma by applying a paste called Ban Mao Gao to acupoints on the year's hottest days, and reported a total effective rate was 95%.(19)
In a study of a much larger scale, Zhao, et al. treated 2,000 cases of bronchial asthma by applying herbal pastes to acupoints on the first day of the three hottest periods in the summer and the three coldest periods in the winter. The paste used in the summer was made from Gan Sui (Radix Kansui), Xi Xin (Wild Ginger), Yuan Hu (Rhizoma Corydalis), Gan Jiang (dried Ginger), and Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), and that used in the winter was made from the same herbs plus Chen Xiang (Aquiliria), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Ya Zhao, Di Long (Earthworm), Qing Ban Xia (Pinellia), and Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum). The pastes, each about 1cm in diameter, were applied to acupoints Tiantu (RN 22), Shanzhong (CV 17), bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Xinshu (BL 15), Geshu (BL 17), and Shenshu (BL 23) on the specified days of the year for four hours, and one unit of treatment called for treatment in three years in a row. The results: 380 cases fully recovered, 820 cases improved significantly, 600 cases improved, and 200 cases with no response. The total effective rate was 90%.(20)