Complementary Therapies and Asthma

Complementary Therapies and Asthma (PDF)

This information sheet is designed to inform people with asthma of the various complementary therapies that are available to them as well as to highlight some of their associated risks.

There are a wide range of treatments and therapies that claim to help asthma. Complementary therapies should be discussed with your doctor. Do not change your asthma treatment until your doctor advises you.

Never use a complementary therapy in place of your asthma medication.

Research

Complementary medicines and therapies have not been studied as extensively as conventional medicines. This means that we do not know as much about how effective they might be and about all the possible harmful effects. Without published research it is difficult to say how helpful a particular complementary medicine or therapy is likely to be.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a method of treatment that involves the insertion of needles at specific parts of the body. The practice is based on Chinese theories of the body’s natural balance of energies.  Some studies have shown that acupuncture can be helpful for people with asthma in the short term. However, no long-term benefits are yet to be shown. It has been suggested that acupuncture may be effective for people whose asthma is triggered by allergy, but less effective for those whose asthma is exercise-induced.  There are documented cases of people becoming very ill after acupuncture treatment. These cases are usually the result of infected needles or puncture injuries.  Be sure that you attend an experienced acupuncturist who follows the necessary safety procedures.

Asthma Australia recognises the article published in the Medical Journal of Australia (7/21 December 1998, Vol 169, No 11/12) concerning the Buteyko Breathing Technique. The article suggests that the Buteyko Breathing Technique can improve symptoms and allow people with asthma to reduce medication use, particularly reliever medication.

There is no evidence that the Buteyko Breathing Technique improves control of asthma.  The study did not show an improvement in lung function or reduction in asthma attacks.

Whilst this small study has produced some encouraging results, it does not give us the confidence to unreservedly suggest it as a method for managing asthma.  That could only come after much more comprehensive independent research into the breathing method.  However, we can at this stage say that it may assist some people to reduce their levels of asthma medication, and thus provide a better quality of life.

We encourage people considering Buteyko Breathing Technique to inform their medical practitioner before they start the program, so that their progress can be monitored and evaluated. 

Asthma Australia remains committed to encouraging high quality research into the causes, prevention and treatment of asthma.  We believe it is in the best interest of people with asthma for further studies to be conducted to investigate the Buteyko Breathing Technique involving a much greater number of participants and conducted over a longer period of time, to answer questions raised by the initial study.  Such a study is beyond the resources of Asthma Australia.

Chiropractic

The chiroprac tic approach is to treat the thoracic spinal area along with increased freedom of motion administered to the rib cage, with the aim to improve the function of the thoracic spine and ribs. Some limited research has shown that the uses of manipulation and mobilisation techniques positively affect the circulation of blood within the airway, lung capacity and the amount of oxygen reaching the blood. 
If joint and muscle stiffness are present, then in order to be able to restore your breathing to normal a chiropractor may need to free up the stiffness.

Diets and supplements

A well-balanced diet is likely to be of benefit for all people. Some people argue, however, that asthma is caused by the inclusion or exclusion of certain food in the diet.  A few people have true allergies to certain foodstuffs (for example, shellfish or nuts). These foods need to be avoided.
Some researchers have suggested that a high salt intake can increase the chance of having asthma symptoms but further evidence is needed. Apart from this, there is no convincing evidence that children or adults, who already have asthma, but no clear food allergy, will benefit from specialised diets that exclude specific foods.
Research into increasing vitamins (especially vitamin C and A), magnesium and fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) have all shown benefits in some studies but no benefit in others.

Homoeopathy

Homoeopathic treatments can vary, depending on the homeopath’s assessment of the patient’s needs. One type of homoeopathy involves preparing a medicine that includes a very small amount of the trigger, which the patient is allergic to (eg. pollen or house dust mites). Research into a form of homoeopathy called “homoeopathic immunotherapy” has shown some encouraging results in patients with asthma, rhinitis and hayfever.

Homoeopathy may be helpful in asthma if the allergic trigger can be identified. This is not always easy as most people have more than one trigger.

Hypnosis (Hypnotherapy)

Hypnosis involves creating a state of decreased general awareness that enables the patient to concentrate exclusively on one thing or idea. Hypnosis has been shown to be beneficial in some cases but it is also known that not everybody responds to hypnosis. It is not certain why hypnosis seems to help certain people. Hypnosis and yoga may both have benefits for stress reduction, but it is not clear if they have other benefits as well.

Naturopathy and herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is one of the most diverse fields of complementary medicine with a very long history and many different approaches originating in different countries. Despite this, there are few studies published in medical journals in the West showing benefits of using herbal medicines for asthma. Among the herbal medicines, which have been suggested, as potentially beneficial are coleus forskholii, ginkgo biloba, tylophora asthmatica and saiboku-to. Although these herbs have been suggested as worthy of further investigation, their effects are not fully understood and cannot be recommended without caution.
Echinacea has not been shown to improve asthma.
The ingredients contained in herbal medicines are not always clear. Therefore, you should seek your doctor’s advice before trying a herbal medicine.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists can assist with breathing control techniques when someone is distressed and can advise on asthma device techniques. A physiotherapist can help clear mucous from the lungs without making the asthma symptoms worse. Assistance with exercise programs can also be useful.

Relaxation Techniques

Simple relaxation techniques, which do not incorporate the philosophical aspects of yoga, have also been shown to have some benefit in asthma.  It is uncertain whether yoga or breathing exercises help asthma by reducing stress (which can be a trigger) or by other physical effects.

Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly and propolis (sometimes referred to as bee glue) are products produced from bees.  There is evidence that taking Royal Jelly has caused very serious side effects in some people with asthma and other allergies. These have included asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock (a severe allergic reaction) and even death. The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia has issued a warning about the possible effects of Royal Jelly on people with asthma.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Hindu discipline that relates to the body, mind and emotions. It uses a variety of body positions and breathing techniques that can help to increase fitness and aid relaxation.  One form of yoga, Pranayama exercises, has been studied with regard to asthma. In two studies, these exercises were found to be beneficial, with participants showing fewer asthma attacks and less responsive to certain triggers.

Important Points

·      No treatment - either complementary or orthodox - is entirely risk-free.

·      The Asthma Foundation of WA recognises that it is the right of the individual to pursue different asthma management techniques, whether these be conventional medicine, alternative or complementary therapies.  We also recognise that any therapy or combination of therapies may produce differing results between individuals.

·      The Asthma Foundation of WA recommends that under no circumstance should people change the dosage of their asthma medication, without consulting their medical practitioner.  Stopping asthma medication can lead to severe attacks of asthma.