Asthma

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P.
Last reviewed: September 2026

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways. In people with asthma, the airways are hypersensitive — they tighten, swell, and produce excess mucus in response to triggers such as allergens, cold air, exercise, or respiratory infections. This narrowing makes breathing difficult and produces the familiar wheeze, cough, and chest tightness. Asthma ranges from mild and occasional to severe and persistent, and while it cannot be cured, it can usually be well controlled with proper medical management. Because a severe flare can be dangerous, asthma always warrants ongoing care from a physician.

Asthma symptoms come and go, often flaring with exposure to a trigger:

•     Wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing
•     Shortness of breath
•     Chest tightness or pressure
•     Persistent coughing, often worse at night or early morning
•     Difficulty breathing during exercise or around allergens

Common triggers include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, smoke, cold air, exercise, stress, and respiratory infections. The underlying cause involves a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposure — asthma often runs in families and frequently overlaps with allergies.

In Chinese medicine, asthma is traditionally connected to the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney systems, which together govern the body’s ability to take in and process breath, or Qi. Acute wheezing is often seen as an obstruction of Lung Qi, while a tendency toward recurrent attacks may point to a deeper underlying deficiency. Treatment aims to address both—easing the acute constriction while, over time, strengthening the systems that support steady breathing. Because a hot, phlegmy asthma is approached differently from a cold or deficient one, Dr. Willcox assesses each patient’s individual pattern.

Acupuncture for asthma is thought to work by helping to calm airway inflammation, ease the muscle tension that contributes to constriction, and support the nervous system’s regulation of breathing. Many patients also find it helps with the anxiety that can accompany — and worsen — breathing difficulty.

The research is promising but still developing. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of sixteen randomized trials found that acupuncture, compared with sham, appeared to improve quality of life, lung function, and asthma control in adults, with moderate-quality evidence for the improvements in quality of life and lung function. The authors were clear that larger, higher-quality studies are still needed. Importantly, major clinical guidelines regard acupuncture as an adjunct to standard asthma care — a helpful addition, never a substitute.

At Acupuncture Zen, asthma is approached with acupuncture and, where appropriate, complementary modalities — always alongside a patient’s prescribed medication and physician-directed asthma plan.

A first visit begins with a careful conversation about the asthma history, triggers, current medications, and how well symptoms are controlled. Treatment is gentle — fine needles at points chosen to support breathing and calm the nervous system, followed by a quiet period of rest. Because asthma is a chronic condition, acupuncture is typically offered as ongoing, supportive care rather than a short course. Dr. Willcox always works alongside, never in place of, a patient’s asthma care team, and patients are encouraged to keep their inhalers close.