Massage Therapy For Asthma

ASTHMA
Western and Chinese Medicine Points of View
Benefits and Considerations of Massage Therapy For Asthma

Western medicine describes asthma as a chronic lung disease, for which there is no cure, and no way to prevent. Risk factors for someone becoming sick are: genetics, allergic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis, exposure to airborne pollutants and chemicals. An asthma attack can be triggered by respiratory infections, physical activity, pollutants, cold air, medications, strong emotions, sulfites, and GERD. (www.mayoclinic.org) Once triggered, an asthma attack causes the airways to become swollen, inflamed and excess mucous is being produced. This makes breathing labored, sometimes with a wheezing sound. These attacks can be minor or life threatening.

Western medical professionals use a specialized, detailed medical plan to treat and control asthma symptoms. The common prescription protocol is a combination of bronchodilators; both rescue and long-acting. Rescue inhalers are used when a person feels like an attack is eminent. Common rescue inhalers are Albuterol, Proventil and Ventolin.  Long-acting corticosteroids used for daily maintenance include; Advair and Symbicort. Both of these contain a combination of long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators and an inhaled steroid. Long acting beta-agonist bronchodilators raise the risk of death from asthma and should only be used as additional treatment for people who are using an inhaled steroid. (www.webmd.com) Other common side effects of bronchodilators include jittery feeling, racing or irregular heartbeat, upset stomach, insomnia, and muscle cramps. The Mayo Clinic warns that, “overusing asthma medications can cause side effects and may make your asthma worse.” Western physicians stress the importance of staying on your medication regimen even if you feel good. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not have one single diagnosis for asthma. It divides the respiratory conditions into two categories: breathlessness and wheezing.  Similar to western medical points of view, airborne pollutants factor into the cause of the distressed breath. The irritants adhere to latent mucous within the lungs. When phlegm and the congested lung qi fuse, they obstruct the airway making it difficult to breathe. (Essentials of Chinese Medicine: Internal Medicine by Anshen Shi, Bridge Works Publishing Group, October 1, 2003)

TCM states that the lung Qi is affected by wind cold or wind heat. Excess wind cold-contracts and inhibits dispersion of lung qi. Wind heat-obstructs by forming damp mucous and blocks the descent of lung qi. Mucous is the fluid of the Metal element. The capacity to cough is the Metal element’s power. Coughing is the capacity to eliminate unwanted waste, physical waste or emotional waste. Irritants from the environment enter the airway and signal the cough…a forceful burst of air to expel the irritant. (www.thetaoofwellness.com) A Metal imbalance can present as a congestion in the lungs. A congestion representing cloudy thoughts or feelings.

Improper diet that disrupts the healthy functioning of the spleen generates phlegm-dampness. This also blocks the descent of lung qi. Strong negative emotions like worry and anger create dysfunction in descending and dispersing lung qi. Chronic stress on the lung qi and yin eventually damages the kidney essence. Water metabolism will be impaired. Deficient qi fails to transform fluids and phlegm is generated. (“Essentials of Chinese Medicine: Internal Medicine,” First Edition, by Anshen Shi, Bridge Works Publishing Group, October 1, 2003)

 TCM points of view believe that the respiratory system affects the entire mindbody. It is a major contributor to the blood flow. According to TCM the function of the lungs is to receive qi from the heavens. They receive pure energy and infuse it into our complete mindbody. Points along the stomach, large intestine, spleen, bladder and kidney meridian pathways, as well as the lung meridians are used in acupuncture to return the lung qi into balance so it can once again receive and infuse pure energy from the heavens. (“Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture,” Revised Edition, Ellis, Wiseman and Boss, Paradigm Publications, 2004)

Massage therapy has consistently shown positive results for asthma patients. It helps reduce anxiety, and minor coughing and congestion frequently associated with asthma. It has been recommended for children as a compliment to traditional medical treatments.

 Keep client in the prone position longer if possible as it helps in oxygenation. During massage concentrate on respiratory muscles. Work with client on diaphragmatic breathing. Finish with tapotement, making certain you stop to allow the client to expectorate if necessary.

Contraindications for massage therapy:

·       Determine patient’s asthma triggers. Remove if present

·       Do not exhaust with over treatment

·       Avoid compression of xyphoid and floating ribs

·       Treatment during acute attack is contraindicated

·       Postural drainage with severe conditions of the heart and lungs

·       Tapotement over bony prominences

·       Ask client if osteoporosis is present 

                                                 (Source: www.massagetherapyreference.com)