Asthma can be treated through cupping therapy. So, where should cupping be done during an asthma attack and during relief?
Illustration of Cupping during an Asthma Attack
Fengmen Acupoint
1. Location:
The Fengmen acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is usually in a sitting or prone position. The Fengmen acupoint is located on the back, at the center of the second concave (between the second and third thoracic vertebrae), below the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side (or about 2 centimeters to the left or right).
3. Effect:
It promotes the circulation of qi and blood along the bladder meridian to the head. The Fengmen acupoint has the function of dispelling wind and releasing the exterior, promoting lung qi, releasing the exterior of the lungs, and strengthening qi to stabilize the exterior.
Lung Yu Acupoint
1. Location:
The Lung Yu acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side. It is the back Yu acupoint of the lungs.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a prone position. The Lung Yu acupoint is located below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side of the Governing Vessel.
3. Effect:
It dispels heat from the lungs. The Lung Yu acupoint has the function of releasing the exterior and promoting the lungs, clearing heat and regulating qi, and regulating the lungs and nourishing the yin, as well as clearing heat and calming the mind.
Da Zhui Acupoint
1. Location:
The Da Zhui acupoint is located in the spinal area, on the midline of the back, in the depression between the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra. The patient is in a flexed or prone position when locating the acupoint.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a sitting position with the head lowered. The Da Zhui acupoint is located on the midline of the back, at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, approximately level with the shoulders (or the patient can sit with the head lowered, and the acupoint is located at the lower edge of the highest point of the cervical vertebrae). If the prominent bone is not very obvious, have the patient move their neck, and the immobile joint is the first thoracic vertebra, approximately level with the shoulders.
3. Effect:
It nourishes qi and strengthens yang. The Da Zhui acupoint has the function of releasing the exterior and promoting yang, nourishing the kidneys and calming the spirit, clearing heat and releasing the exterior, and stopping convulsions and seizures.
Shanzhong Acupoint
1. Location:
It is located between the two nipples, on the midline of the sternum, at the level of the fourth intercostal space.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a sitting or supine position. On the midline of the chest, between the midpoint of a line connecting the two nipples and the fourth intercostal space, press and feel a sore and distended sensation.
3. Effect:
It gathers qi and blood from the pericardium meridian. The Shanzhong acupoint has the function of regulating qi and expanding the chest, clearing the lungs and transforming phlegm, regulating qi and relieving pain, and generating fluids and increasing moisture.
Chize Acupoint
1. Location:
The Chize acupoint is located in the ulnar crease of the elbow, on the radial side of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle. It is an important acupoint on the Taiyin Lung Meridian of the hand.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient extends their arm and slightly bends the elbow. The acupoint is located on the ulnar crease, on the radial side of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle.
3. Effect:
It clears heat from the stomach and tonifies the stomach, opens the channels and relieves pain, clears heat from the lungs and drains fire, and regulates the intestines and nourishes the organs.
Dingchuan Acupoint
1. Location:
The Dingchuan acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, about 0.5 inches to the side.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a prone position or sitting with the head lowered. The acupoint is located on the midline of the back, below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, about 0.5 inches to the side.
3. Effect:
It can relieve cough and asthma and promote the circulation of the lungs. The Dingchuan acupoint has the function of relieving cough and asthma and promoting the circulation of the lungs.
Method of Cupping during an Asthma Attack
During an asthma attack caused by cold and phlegm, apply cupping therapy to the Fengmen, Lung Yu, Da Zhui, and Shanzhong acupoints using the simple fire cupping method or the medication storage cupping method (using the cough relieving powder: Platycodon root, Licorice root, Balloon flower root, Tangerine peel, White mulberry leaf, and Aster tataricus, decocted and extracted for use). Leave the cups in place for 10 minutes, once a day. For cases caused by phlegm-heat, first use the Dingchuan acupoint for flash cupping 5 to 6 times, with the degree of skin redness as the standard. Then use the cupping method on the Lung Yu, Shanzhong, and Chize acupoints, using a triangular needle to puncture the acupoints and quickly apply the cups, leaving them in place for 10 minutes. Alternate cupping on the different acupoints, once a day.
Illustration of Cupping during Asthma Relief
In addition to cupping the Da Zhui, Lung Yu, Fengmen, Shanzhong, and Dingchuan acupoints, cupping should also be done on the following acupoints during the relief phase of asthma:
Shen Zhu Acupoint
1. Location:
The Shen Zhu acupoint is located in the spinal area, on the midline of the back, below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a prone or supine position. The acupoint is located on the midline of the back, below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
3. Effect:
It tonifies the spleen and dispels dampness, calms the heart and soothes the mind, clears heat from the lungs, and regulates lung qi.
Zhong Fu Acupoint
1. Location:
The Zhong Fu acupoint is located on the outer upper part of the anterior chest wall, 1 inch below the clavicle, at the level of the first intercostal space, 6 inches from the midline.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a sitting position with hands on the waist. First locate the Yunmen acupoint below the outer end (shoulder peak) of the clavicle, and then locate the acupoint 1 inch below Yunmen, level with the first intercostal space.
3. Effect:
It relieves cough and asthma, clears heat and drains the lungs, strengthens the spleen and supplements qi, and clears and regulates the upper burner and lung qi.
Guan Yuan Acupoint
1. Location:
The Guan Yuan acupoint is located in the lower abdomen, on the midline of the anterior body, 3 inches below the navel. It is one of the main acupoints on the Ren Meridian.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a supine position. The Guan Yuan acupoint is located on the midline of the anterior body, 3 inches below the navel (draw a line from the navel to the area above the pubic bone, divide this line into five equal parts, and the acupoint is located at three-fifths of the distance from the navel to the bottom of the line).
3. Effect:
It gathers qi and blood from the Conception Vessel, and conducts water and moisture. The Guan Yuan acupoint has the function of nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the foundation, replenishing qi and restoring yang, clearing heat and promoting diuresis, nourishing and replenishing the original qi, and promoting the discharge of redness and turbidity.
Shen Yu Acupoint
1. Location:
The Shen Yu acupoint is located in the waist region, below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a prone position. The acupoint is located below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side of the Governing Vessel.
3. Effect:
It dispels heat from the kidneys. The Shen Yu acupoint has the function of nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the waist, promoting diuresis, regulating kidney qi, strengthening the waist and spine, and improving hearing and vision.
Pi Yu Acupoint
1. Location:
The Pi Yu acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side of the midline.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient should be in a prone position. The Pi Yu acupoint is located on the back, about two fingers wide below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra.
3. Effect:
It strengthens the spleen and dispels dampness, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and promotes the transformation of dampness.
Zu San Li Acupoint
1. Location:
The Zu San Li acupoint is located on the outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the kneecap, one horizontal finger-width (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.
2. Method of locating the acupoint:
The patient is in a seated position with the knees flexed. Locate the Xiyan acupoint, and from there, measure 4 horizontal finger-widths downward (about 3 inches) to find the acupoint, which will feel sore and distended when pressed.
3. Effect:
It removes dampness from the spleen and generates stomach qi.
Method of Cupping during Asthma Relief
During the relief phase, perform moving cupping along the Governing Vessel and the bladder meridian pathways on the back until the skin turns purple-red. Alternatively, perform simple fire cupping or use water storage cups or steam cups on the mentioned acupoints, leaving them in place for 10 minutes, once a day. Another method is to puncture the acupoints with a triangular needle after simple fire cupping, and then apply Qianlong Baijie ointment to the cupped acupoints. Cupping can also be done using the method of puncturing the meridians and leaving the cups in place, using the acupoints Da Zhui, Lung Yu, Pi Yu, and Shen Yu or Shen Zhu, Guan Yuan, Shanzhong, and Zhong Fu. Puncture the acupoints with a triangular needle and quickly apply the cups, leaving them in place for 10 minutes. Alternate cupping on the different acupoints, once a day.
In addition, during the relief phase, patients can use blistering therapy with cupping as a preventive treatment. Apply strong fire cupping to the Da Zhui and Lung Yu acupoints. The fire should be strong enough to provide sufficient suction. Once the skin inside the cups forms blisters, remove the cups (use glass cups for easy observation) and cover the area with sterile gauze to protect the blisters until they absorb on their own.
Asthma Self-Care
1. Avoid allergenic substances. If indoor dust is an allergenic substance, try to minimize dust in the room. Neither the patient nor family members should smoke.
2. When sweeping or going out in cold weather, wear a mask.
3. Elderly patients should avoid crowded places in winter and may choose to move to warmer areas. They should also pay attention to preventing colds.
Dietary Recommendations for Asthma Patients
1. Eat more fresh vegetables. Radish, peas, and luffa are not only rich in vitamins and minerals but also have the effects of dispelling wind, relieving qi, and transforming phlegm. Eat a moderate amount of pears, citrus fruits, loquats, walnuts, bananas, sesame, and honey, which can help regulate bowel movements, reduce abdominal pressure, and alleviate symptoms of asthma.
2. Avoid eating raw and cold fruits and vegetables. Avoid gas-producing foods such as beans, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carbonated drinks, as abdominal distension can affect the chest cavity and worsen asthma symptoms.
3. Avoid eating seafood and fishy foods such as yellow croaker, shrimp, and crab, as these foods may worsen the condition.
4. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods as much as possible to minimize irritation to the respiratory tract.
