POS or Pulmonary Obstructive Syndrome is one of the many ailments that TCM excels at treating. By treating the acute cause, the phlegm in the lungs, and any infection, but also treating the underlying causes, allergies, food intake, and assimilation of food, patients usually feel better, fairly quickly, are able to breath easier, and increase their level of activity.Typically, they get their lives back.
First, it is necessary to resolve the obstruction, the phlegm. While Western medicine doesn't have much, if anything, to deal with phlegm, TCM has hundreds of formulas to resolve different types of phlegm ( thick, thin, colored, clear, easy or difficult to expectorate), in specific locations. Phlegm in the lungs is an issue, but usually there is phlegm to be resolved in the bronchi, and throat as well. Any inflammation of the lungs and bronchi also needs to be addressed with Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas.
Second, infection is often an issue, evident with the presence of colored phlegm. Phlegm in the lungs, (something slimy, in a dark warm place), provides the perfect environment to grow a bacterial culture. So coughing up yellow, green or brown phlegm would indicate a bacterial infection in the lungs.
Mold is also a consideration, something prone to grow, just like bacteria, in a damp, warm environment, like the lungs filled with phlegm. People with POS are often easily susceptible to viruses, so building up the immune system is part of the treatment, to prevent colds a flu, which produce additional mucous and phlegm, further impairing breathing, and providing an elevated environmental advantage for bacteria and mold. Acupuncture and herbal formulas address these issues.
Third, it is necessary to look at what has been initiating the phlegm. Diet,( foods that cause phlegm, like dairy, fatty, greasy or oily foods), is a major consideration. It is also essential to look at how the body is able to break down food. Allergies, external and internal, food allergies, also need to be addressed.
Anxiety is often an additional problem, an understandable issue when people can't breath. Little seeds taped in the ear, over Acupuncture points for anxiety, stress, and points that release endorphins, to calm and relax, enable patients to give themselves their own little Acupuncture treatment, as needed through out the week, just by pressing on these seeds.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the energetic function of the Lungs are responsible for exhaling, and responsible for the immune system. A healthy immune system not only prevents colds and flu, it also prevents allergies to external pathogens. Building up the immune system is essential to treat asthma, often a component of POS.
The Kidneys are responsible for the ability to inhale, and also provide an underlying foundation of strength and development, or decline. Therefore, from a TCM perspective, the Lungs and the Kidneys need to be addressed, in cases of POS.
The Spleen has to do with digestion, so issues with assimilating food would involve work with the Spleen. All these organs have their own Acupuncture channels.The Heart has to do with anxiety.There are Acupuncture points that clear the lungs, resolve phlegm, increase white blood cell count, reduce anxiety, and improve digestion.
While this seems a strange way to look at the body, and the job of each organ, from a western perspective, TCM has been effectively treating POS for thousands of years. Truly time tested! POS is not something that is resolved overnight, since phlegm is not something that can be treated overnight, or anything that has accumulated overnight. The usual treatment is once a week until a patient feels the lungs to be clear, and activity level to be resumed. Normally, each week there is noticeable improvement.
POS decreases quality of life and leaves people open to life threatening pneumonia. Treating POS with TCM can improve the quality and quantity of life.
Health & Happiness,
Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
534 Washington St. Ashland, OR 97520
For Appointments Call: 541-646-0134
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