Can acupuncture help treat my asthma?

A number of studies have been conducted on the effect of acupuncture on asthma symptoms, but unfortunately many suffer from methodology and/or data-reporting shortcomings, making it difficult to draw accurate conclusions. Another obstacle to good scientific study is the use of "sham" acupuncture, or placebo acupuncture, performed by non-acupuncturists. When real acupuncture is practiced, some research indicates that it can be beneficial. However, people have died because their asthma remained untreated except for acupuncture, while others have died of wounds because their "puncture" wasn't "acu" enough.

Some research suggests that acupuncture may help prevent exercise-induced asthma. It may also reduce the perceived level of breathlessness associated with asthma or emphysema and allow patients to take lower doses of asthma medications. However, the available studies are insufficient for making strong recommendations.

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