Respiratory Health
I’m Joseph Alban, a New York City-based Doctor of Acupuncture with over 20 years in practice. I provide dedicated acupuncture and Chinese medicine care for allergies, asthma, sinus infections, and other respiratory conditions.
During allergy season and cold and flu season, my office fills up with patients working to treat and prevent these conditions from taking over their lives. I use a personalized approach for each patient, combining acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbs, and cupping.
How Does Acupuncture Work for Respiratory Health?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by correcting imbalances in the body. Once the imbalance is corrected, you feel better and healthier, with long-term improvements in your health.
Acupuncture treatment works by resetting the immune system, decreasing inflammation, and reducing the allergic response. Therapy may include customized acupuncture, acupressure, and Chinese herbal medicine.
What is acupuncture like?
Acupuncture focuses on addressing the root imbalance behind your condition. During the initial visit, I’ll ask about your main health concern as well as your overall health, giving me a holistic picture of what’s going on.
Treatment is customized to each person’s needs, boosting immunity, reducing inflammation and allergic responses, and increasing circulation.
Chinese Herbal Therapy for Respiratory Health
Chinese herbs have long been used to treat respiratory conditions. Rather than single herbs, Chinese medicine typically combines herbs into formulas, taken as strong teas or decoctions. The combination creates a synergy, herbs combined correctly are more effective than any single herb alone, and they also work together to reduce side effects.
One formula often used to help prevent colds and asthma flare-ups is Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen). It combines huang qi (astragalus) and bai zhu (atractylodes) to build Qi, with a smaller amount of fang feng (siler) to help the body fend off germs it encounters. Each condition above has its own specific patterns and formulas, explore the pages above for the details relevant to what you’re experiencing.
Can Cupping Help with Colds, Asthma, and Bronchitis?
Cupping is a technique in which glass or plastic cups create suction on the skin. This increases circulation in the area and helps open up the lungs to expel congestion. It’s used for many respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and the common cold, often alongside acupuncture. Cupping is also very relaxing.
Feedback From our clients…
“After suffering for months from horrible, nagging sinus headaches, I chose to give acupuncture a try. It has been one of the best health decisions that I have made for myself. Joe is not only very skilled in his techniques (I have never suffered any bruise; I could barely feel the needles), he is very informative and has educated me a great deal about acupuncture. I am very happy to report that my sinus headache, has now become very manageable. Without the sinus pain, I am again able to engage in other activities which more directly help me reduce stress. I am also able to enjoy the outdoor again with my child without the fear of feeling sick simply because the weather changes. I thank Joe and acupuncture for setting me back into positive health.”
– Patient, New York