The mysterious healer lurks in the dark, cluttered back room of the herbal shop, watching you through a curtain of beads. She calls to you when you’re just about to leave, and mutters something about you no one else could possibly know. You leave the store with a small glass jar filled with a strange-smelling concoction — an exotic remedy that will surely heal whatever ails you.
That’s the movie version, anyway. In reality, complementary care (sometimes called alternative or integrative medicine) has gone mainstream. About one-third of Americans turn to complementary therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. These therapies are called “complementary” because, in most cases, they are used in addition to — not instead of — treatments prescribed by medical doctors. Always talk to your doctor before trying any complementary therapy.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture relies on the theory that natural healing energies called qi (pronounced CHEE) travel up and down your body along specific pathways (meridians). When this flow of qi is out of balance, disease and pain may result. In a typical acupuncture session, a trained practitioner places very fine thin needles at strategic places along your meridians. The goal is to stimulate the flow of qi and help reset your body’s natural balance. (Don’t worry, the needles are so tiny that many people don’t even feel them.) Some people who have asthma have found that acupuncture helps reduce their feelings of breathlessness.

Herbal medicine

Healing herbs have been used for thousands of years, and many drugs are synthetic versions of substances found in plants. For example, the asthma control medicine cromolyn is derived from an Indian herb called ammivisnaga. Many people use echinacea and goldenseal to boost their immune systems. A strong immune system is your first line of defense against respiratory infections that can make it hard to breathe.

Herbs can be taken in pill form (supplements), tinctures (liquid form), or in specially prepared teas. Be careful, though. Herbs aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration the way medications are. Herbal supplements can differ in dosage and purity from brand to brand. And just because an herb is all-natural doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. Commonly used herbs such as ephedra (also called ma huang) can have potentially harmful interactions when mixed with some prescription medications. If you’re thinking about trying herbs, discuss it with your doctor first.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy may help relieve asthma symptoms. It’s been shown to improve peak flow in some children, according to a University of Miami study. But many doctors are waiting for more research on massage therapy before they recommend it to their asthma patients. Still, it wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) hurt, and it just may help. A soothing massage can help you relax, and stress can be an asthma trigger for some people.

Should I use complementary medicine?

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your family to decide if complementary care is right for you. If you’re thinking about adding complementary care to your existing asthma management plan, here are a few things to think about:

• Before trying any complementary treatment — especially if it involves taking herbs — talk to your doctor first.
• Be a skeptic. Watch out for people who make extravagant claims (”proven asthma cure!”) for their products and treatments, especially if they stand to make money off your wishful thinking. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Look for clinical research that supports a complementary treatment. In some cases, no studies have been done yet to find out if a treatment is effective. But acupuncture and other more established complementary therapies have been and continue to be researched by credible medical organizations.
• Check for credentials. Many types of complementary care have licensing boards or are regulated by a national organization. Ask your care provider about his or her training, certification, and membership in professional organizations. Don’t risk your health by seeing a practitioner who doesn’t have proper qualifications.

Complementary care includes any therapy that may help you — and absolutely will not harm you. Most complementary therapies, when used with the knowledge of your doctor and in addition to a traditional asthma management plan, are safe. Remember, effective complementary care supports your asthma management plan. It doesn’t replace your plan.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 1st, 2007 at 9:31 pm and is filed under Teens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.