Naturopathic Treatments For Asthma

Do you suffer from asthma?

Are asthma attacks affecting your quality of life?

Perhaps preventing you from participating in activities you enjoy because they trigger your asthma attacks?

A naturopathic doctor in Toronto can help you to manage your symptoms, and get on with enjoying your life.

I’ve also included this video below where I discuss natural ways to manage your asthma.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a restriction or spasm of the airways when attempting to breathe in, due to a hypersensitivity reaction resulting in thicker mucus which causes obstructed breathing.

Patients will complain about not being able to breathe, and will often use a “puffer” which contains medication to assist their airway to open, and for them to be able to breathe again.

Asthma is serious because not being able to breath can lead to a loss of consciousness due to lack of oxygen.

What Makes Somebody Have Asthma?

There are different types of asthma, which can be triggered by various means,

Some common types are sports-induced and cold-induced.

Allergens, such as pollen and pets can cause it as well.

Is It Possible For Asthmatics To Get Off Their Inhalers?

It is unlikely that an asthmatic person would be able to fully stop using their inhaler, as even if one is very careful to avoid their triggers and use preventative measures, in the event they do have an asthma attack, the medication in an inhaler becomes a life-saving measure.

Through identifying and understanding asthma triggers, and reducing exposure to those triggers, it may be possible to reduce the use of inhalers significantly.

Keep reading to learn more.

Classical Osteopathy Treatments For Asthma

Classical osteopathy is a form of medicine which focuses on manual adjustments, myofascial release, and physical manipulation of muscle tissue and bones to provide treatments for many different ailments.

There are a number of ways which classic osteopathic manual practitioners can assist a person with asthma to improve their breathing techniques.

As it is not uncommon for people who are experiencing an asthma attack to end up in a hunched over posture, over time they can develop a rigid chest, and they stop breathing deeply, from the lower rib cage.

One of the classical osteopathy treatments involves techniques to help encourage deeper breathing, and relaxation of the muscle in order to reduce spasm.

The aim of these treatments is not to replace bronchodilators, but to help improve the efficiency of breathing.

A classic osteopathic manual practitioner may use manual manipulation to help life the spine and open up the ribs.

They may also lift the shoulder blades to increase mobility and expansion of the lungs.

Another approach is to release tension in the back, where nerves which support breathing function are located.

Naturopathic Treatments For Asthma

There are also a number of natural supplements which can help to treat and manage asthma. Let’s take a look at some of them now.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C assists in stabilizing histamine cells, which can aggravate an asthma attack.

When looking for a vitamin C supplement, there are many options available, such as capsules, tablets, or chewables – however beware that chewables are often sweetened to taste better, so watch for the sugar content.

Of course, vitamin C has the added benefit of helping to ward off colds.

Quercetin

A 2016 study in the journal Molecules showed quercetin to be effective in the treatment of late-phase bronchial asthma.

Quercetin is an antioxidant found in plants, including leafy greens, berries, and broccoli.

It’s anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful in fighting conditions such as asthma, as well as allergies.

Elimination Diets

In people with food allergies, asthma attacks may be a part of an anaphylactic response to an allergen.

Common foods which may cause reactions include eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shrimp.

Some preservatives used in foods can also trigger an asthmatic response.

An elimination diet involves removing all possible triggers from one’s diet for a period of a few weeks, and then slowly adding them back in, and noting which substances are responsible for reactions.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ!

Are you looking for natural ways to manage your asthma?

Do you wish you were reaching for your inhaler less often?

Dr. JJ can help – set up an appointment today to discuss your needs and concerns, and get a treatment plan that’s right for you.