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How to Treat Dystonia With Acupuncture and TCM

By xiaomei | Published March 21, 2025

By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Cervical dystonia neck cramping
Cervical dystonia neck cramping

Writer’s cramp? Foot cramps and spasms in your calf muscles? Cramps that cause your toes to curl up or big toe to stick up? These are signs of dystonia, a disorder that causes muscles to contract, causing painful spasms and uncontrollable twisting of body parts. Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms of dystonia and reduce cramping.

Dystonia is a movement disorder that can affect one part of the body, such as the hand, or several parts of the body, causing painful cramping and involuntary muscle contractions.

Dystonia most often affects the hands, feet, and neck (cervical dystonia or neck dystonia). When the cramping only happens in one area, this is known as focal dystonia, i.e. focal dystonia hand, or focal hand dystonia.

Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms of dystonia without injections or surgery.

 

Top 5 Kinds of Dystonia

Dystonia muscle cramping and spasming can happen in various parts of the body, including:

  1. Neck (Cervical Dystonia) – spasm pulls the head to one side forward or backward.
  2. Hand – usually triggered by a certain activity, like writing, playing an instrument, or playing golf.
  3. Jaw – (Oromandibular Dystonia) – causes trouble with chewing, swallowing or drooling, can happen concurrently with cervical dystonia.
  4. Eyelids (Blepharospasm) – spasms cause the eyelids to close, can also feel like dry eyes, sensitivity to light. Can be triggered by light, screens, and stress.
  5. Vocal Cords (Laryngeal Dystonia) – strained voice, only able to speak in a whisper.

For some people, dystonia does not cause pain, while for others, it can become increasingly painful. In some cases, dystonia may plateau; in others, it gets progressively more severe.

Over time, some types of dystonia can lead to the deterioration of joints and arthritis.

 

What Causes Dystonia?

Writer's cramp can be an example of Focal dystonia of the hand
Writer’s cramp can be an example of Focal dystonia of the hand

Medical science is not entirely clear on the specific causes of dystonia. There may be some genetic predisposition for dystonia. Some types of dystonia show up without any seeming correlation to other issues (primary dystonia). Other kinds of dystonia manifest as symptoms of another disorder affecting the nervous system.

Muscle spasms can be a symptom of several different disorders, including:

Some types of dystonia can be brought on by a specific physical activity. Mental, emotional, and physical stress can also trigger an episode of dystonia cramping. 

Some studies have suggested that there is a problem with motor programming, or a deficiency in the motor cortical network of the nervous system.

 

Treatment for Dystonia

The most common form of treatment for focal dystonia, such as the kind that causes “writer’s cramp,” is botulinum neurotoxin (BNT or Botox) injections. This is a localized treatment that helps relieve symptoms by blocking the release of chemicals involved in muscular contractions.

Patients feel their muscles relax within a few days or a week. The results of this treatment typically only last for a few months, and then another injection is needed.


Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical method used to treat dystonia. This involves the implantation of a stimulator that is somewhat like a pacemaker; it is controlled remotely and stimulates parts of the brain that affect muscular contractions.

Acupuncture can be a good alternative treatment modality for reducing the muscle spasms associated with dystonia.

 

Can Acupuncture Help Dystonia?

Dystonia can cause cramping in the feet and toes.
Dystonia can cause cramping in the feet and toes.

TCM theory views most health issues as being related to internal or external pathogenic forces causing imbalance within the organ systems. Organ systems in TCM are interrelated in ways that may seem counterintuitive from the “Western medicine” point of view. For example, in TCM, the actions of the muscles and tendons are related to the liver system.

Pathogenic forces like wind, damp, and heat can arise or attack the organ systems and cause problems. In the case of dystonia, excess wind in the liver affects the tendons and muscles, causing them to be overactivated.

In some cases, dystonia is triggered by emotional stress. If a patient is experiencing anxiety or depression, then that is also a factor that needs to be addressed.

Thus, the acupuncturist will create a treatment protocol designed to use different TCM modalities to address the root cause of the problem and the symptoms. Acupuncture to treat dystonia will address the liver wind and also be used to help relax the muscles. Treatment can also focus on relieving stress and balancing the person’s emotional state.

Acupuncture treatment is often used to help stimulate muscle tone. In cases of dystonia, we will use acupoints on the meridians related to the affected muscles as a way of both suppressing muscle tone and activating it. Some of the muscles related to the area that is cramping up might be hypertonic (tight and rigid), while others might be hypotonic (not active or offering resistance). 

One study that looked at acupuncture treatment for cervical dystonia used electromyogram to measure muscle activity, and it showed that shallow placement of acupuncture needles decreased excess activity in the muscles.

Another study looked at patients who had been receiving Botox treatment for their cervical dystonia. They then received a series of 6 sessions of acupuncture treatment. All of the patients reported improvement and two-thirds of the patients intended to continue acupuncture treatments for management of their condition.

Gua sha and other forms of Chinese massage can also be used to help with dystonia.

Moxibustion or moxa, which is a warming herb that is burned near the affected area, can also be helpful to relieve cramping.

 

Acupuncture Near Me for Dystonia

Dystonia can be a serious disruption to your daily life and activities, making you feel out of control in your body. In some cases, dystonia causes serious pain. If you have been experiencing severe muscle cramping in specific areas, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Art of Wellness for help. Drs. Tan and Cai have over 35 years of experience helping to treat conditions of all kinds that affect the nervous system and cause musculoskeletal problems.






*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.






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Can Acupuncture Help Bad Breath?

By xiaomei | Published March 7, 2025

By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Acupuncture and herbs can help bad breath
Acupuncture and herbs can help bad breath

Dry mouth, coated tongue? Bad taste in your mouth, breath is always bad? There may be a deeper reason behind halitosis. Acupuncture and TCM can help correct the internal imbalances that are the root cause of bad breath.

How To Get Rid of Bad Breath

Looking for how to get rid of bad breath? Conventional medicine often sees bad breath as a dental issue, related to oral hygiene, gum disease, and bacteria on your tongue and in your mouth. 

Recommendations for treating bad breath typically include using antibacterial mouth rinses and toothpastes, scraping your tongue, and flossing. 

But what causes bad breath and dry mouth? 

 

Bad Breath Causes

A coated tongue can go along with having bad breath.
A coated tongue can go along with having bad breath.

There are many health conditions that can cause bad breath, including:

  1. GERD – with acid reflux, some of the contents of the stomach come back up into the esophagus, which can smell strong.
  2. Diabetes – contributes to gum disease and bacterial growth in the mouth because of high glucose levels and poor blood flow to gums.
  3. Liver disease – breath may have a sulfurous, rotten egg smell, because toxins are not being adequately filtered by the liver.
  4. Kidney disease – can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, because minerals are not being filtered out through the kidneys.
  5. Sjogren’s Syndrome – parotid gland dysfunction leads to dry mouth.
  6. Sinusitis – mucus from sinus infection can smell bad as it drips into the back of the throat.
  7. Tonsillitis or tonsil stones – infected pus around the membranes of the tonsils can smell.

Other symptoms that often accompany bad breath include:

  • Burning sensation on the tongue
  • Need to clear your throat all the time
  • Buildup on teeth, coated tongue
  • Thick saliva
  • Bad taste in mouth: metallic taste, sour taste, or  bitter taste

Addressing these health issues can help clear up halitosis. But, what if you are experiencing frequent bad breath, and none of these health problems are the cause?

 

Underlying Causes of Bad Breath

TCM herbal formulas and nutrition can help resolve bad breath.
TCM herbal formulas and nutrition can help resolve bad breath.

According to TCM theory, bad breath usually arises from imbalances in the internal organ systems. Acupuncture treatment and herbal remedies can address the root causes of bad breath, so that it doesn’t come back.

In TCM, we consider “heat,” “wind,” “dampness,” “dryness,” and so on to be pathogenic factors that can either get into the body from external causes, or arise within the organ systems due to imbalances in Yin and Yang energies, or the obstruction or stagnation of Qi (life force energy).

Dryness and heat are the primary pathogenic factors that might lead to bad breath becoming a problem.

These words sound metaphorical, but they describe the nature of how problems occur within the human body and produce various symptoms. “Fire” or “heat” produces redness, swelling, eruptions of red bumps, thirst, excessive acid, etc.

When we say that pathogenic factors can arise from within, we are also acknowledging that emotions affect our physical and mental health, and vice versa. 

Liver fire, or excess Yang energy in the Liver, for example, can arise due to dietary habits, like too much spicy food, or changes in weather, like warming temperatures in the springtime.

Liver heat is also related to feelings of anger and frustration. So, a lot of emotional stress and repressed anger can lead to liver fire problems.

Hot weather can contribute to feeling irritable. We must look at all sides of the problem in order to treat Liver fire and reduce uncomfortable symptoms, like trouble sleeping, and dry mouth.

Patterns of disharmony that can lead to bad breath as a symptoms include:

  • Dry Intestine – leads to constipation and dry stool, dry throat and mouth, dizziness, hemorrhoids
  • Stomach heat – thirsty all the time, craving for cold drinks, hungry all the time, canker sores, stomach pain, acid reflux, vomiting, feeling hot, acne breakouts
  • Excess phlegm – tightness in chest, brain fog, dizziness

Sometimes one imbalance can lead to another. For example, liver fire can lead to fire in the lungs, causing chest pains and respiratory problems. Liver fire moving into the heart can cause angry outbursts, dry throat, and a bitter taste in your mouth.

 

TCM Nutrition to Address Bad Breath

Rather than simply telling you not to eat garlic, your acupuncturist will talk with you about eating the right foods to cool down the specific type of heat that is affecting your health. In TCM, we view certain foods as being “warming” or “cooling.” Eating more cool and neutral foods and avoiding heat-producing foods can help with halitosis.

An acupuncture practitioner will also assemble an herbal formula designed to address the organ system imbalances that seem to be causing problems.

 

Acupuncture Near Me for Bad Breath in West Los Angeles

Having bad breath can impede your social life and even your career. Experiencing dry mouth on a regular basis is very uncomfortable. It is important to address these issues, as they are likely an indication that there is something happening deeper under the surface. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Art of Wellness Acupuncture in Los Angeles, so that we can resolve this issue and help you feel better and more confident in your day to day life.

 

 

*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.





 




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How to Treat Atopy with Acupuncture and TCM

By xiaomei | Published February 21, 2025

By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D and Qineng Tan, L.Ac, Ph.D.

 

woman scratching red areas on her arm
Itchy skin rashes, hives, or urticaria can be atopic conditions

Do you suffer from more than one kind of allergy? Asthma, food allergies, eczema, hives, hay fever? “Atopy” is the tendency to have several different kinds of allergic reactions, or conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Acupuncture and TCM can help relieve allergy symptoms and itchy rash.

What Is Atopy?

The term “atopy” refers to a collection of allergic conditions that a person might experience all together. Atopic disorders include asthma, allergic dermatitis or eczema (red, inflamed, itchy skin), frequent urticaria or hives, and allergic reactions to foods and environmental allergens.

If you frequently experience allergy symptoms, like itchy eyes, skin rashes, and shortness of breath, then you may have atopy.

Atopy is known to be related to a heightened immune response that occurs because of Immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies. Atopic dermatitis, in particular, is associated with higher than usual levels of IgE.

IgE antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system. They help fight off infection and react when a person is exposed to allergens, like certain foods (i.e. dairy, wheat, nuts), insect venom, ragweed and other plants that trigger hay fever symptoms, and some medications. 

When IgE is produced and interacts with receptors in the body, it triggers allergic reactions, such as inflammation that constricts the airways (asthma), makes skin turn red and itchy (eczema, dermatitis, hives), produces excess mucus (runny nose, allergic rhinitis), or sudden drop in blood pressure (anaphylaxis).

People with atopy can sometimes have up to ten times the usual amount of IgE in their bloodstream. IgE levels can also be elevated in people with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and lupus.

 

Is Atopy an Autoimmune Disease?

While atopy, and atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema, are related to the immune system, and are considered to be associated with autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, alopecia areata, and ulcerative colitis, atopy itself  is not currently categorized as an autoimmune condition.

Treatment for Atopy

young girl holding her tummy in pain
Stomach ache, digestive problems from food sensitivities.

Typical medical treatment for atopy involves prescription corticosteroid creams and antihistamines to control the body’s exaggerated immune response.

Prolonged use of corticosteroids can lead to many unwanted side effects, including weight gain, swelling, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, loss of bone mass, mood swings, and increased risk of infections.

Reliance on antihistamines can cause side effects, too, including drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, problems with urination, and liver problems.

Acupuncture and TCM offer a holistic way to help relieve allergic conditions, including atopic disorders, without the toxic side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

 

Can Acupuncture Help Atopy?

Treatment of allergies with TCM goes back thousands of years. Centuries of observation, study, and treatment with acupuncture and herbal formulas have led to the development of treatment regimens that can help address both patterns of allergy symptoms and the underlying systemic imbalances that cause them. 

One of the most prominent concepts in TCM theory is that of Yin and Yang, two opposing yet complementary forces. When Yin and Yang are balanced within the body, systems work harmoniously. When Yin and Yang are out of balance, disease occurs.

According to TCM theory, allergic diseases arise due to imbalances in Yin and Yang that contribute to either an exaggerated response from the immune system, or a suppression of the immune response. This concept is roughly analogous to what science has shown about pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

In TCM, we see people’s health as being very much influenced by their environment, emotions, nutrition, stress, etc. We also acknowledge that each person is born with certain attributes of their constitution, or foundational health. People who are prone to allergies have inherited certain physiological conditions that make them more susceptible to these problems. However, this might show up differently in different individuals, depending on deficiencies within their organ systems.

For example, one person may have Qi deficiency in the lungs, which will translate into allergic reactions that affect the respiratory system and skin, while another may have deficiency in the stomach or spleen, which can lead to damp-heat conditions that cause eczema. Liver deficiency can lead to “wind” conditions like hives, and so on.

elderly woman holding her chest, trouble breathing
Trouble breathing, wheezing, and shortness of breath due to allergic asthma.

Therefore, the aim in using TCM to treat atopy is to address the overall balance of yin and yang and also to address more specific deficiencies in the organ systems. Acupuncture and herbs can also strengthen the constitution and the immune system, so that a person is better able to fight off external pathogens.

Every person experiences atopy in their own unique way, depending on their symptoms. Acupuncture treatment and other TCM modalities, especially herbal medicine, can be personalized for each individual patient. 

Acupuncture can be very effective for relieving the uncomfortable symptoms triggered by atopic conditions. For example, studies have shown that acupuncture treatment can help reduce the intensity of chronic itching due to dermatitis.

A review of 14 studies on TCM to treat atopic eczema concluded that patient who received acupuncture treatment experienced less severe symptoms, compared with patients who were given antihistamines.

 

Acupuncture Near Me for Atopy in West Los Angeles

Drs. Tan and Cai at Art of Wellness Acupuncture in Los Angeles have over 35 years of experience helping patients who are suffering from allergic conditions. Acupuncture and herbs can help relieve itchy rashes, respiratory symptoms, food sensitivities, and other immune issues. Please do not hesitate to come in for consultation, to see if we can help you find relief from a multitude of uncomfortable symptoms of atopic dermatitis, hives, and other allergic reactions.

 

*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.

 






 





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Plantar Fasciosis Treatment With Acupuncture and TCM

By xiaomei | Published February 7, 2025

By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

 

Plantar fasciosis heel pain
Plantar fasciosis pain is often worst when you first get up in the morning.

Foot arch pain? Ache in the bottom of the foot or heel? This condition has commonly been known as plantar fasciitis, but now more practitioners are calling it “plantar fasciosis.” Acupuncture treatment can help relieve arch and foot pain and get you walking comfortably again.

What Is Plantar Fasciosis? 

The plantar fascia ligament connects the heel bone to the toes, spanning the whole bottom of the foot. It absorbs shock every time your foot touches the ground, as you walk. 

When this band of connective tissue starts to cause you pain, it’s usually due to overuse, overstretching, or wearing shoes that don’t give you enough support and cushioning.

This condition, which is the most common cause of heel pain and pain in the bottom of the foot, has been called “plantar fasciitis” for some time, because it was believed to be caused by inflammation in the connective tissue. The suffix “-itis” means “inflammation,” as in “tendinitis,” “pancreatitis,” and many other health conditions that are related to inflamed tissues.

If the bottom of the foot shows signs of swelling, warmth, and redness, then it is probably related to inflammation.

However, many cases of plantar fascia pain are not caused by inflammation. Sometimes, arch pain is due to a degenerative condition, in which the tissues are breaking down. Microtears in the connective tissues, or cell death, because of lack of blood flow, are often the real problems causing the pain.

 

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciosis

Arch and foot pain when you first get up in the morning is one of the most common signs of plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis. This pain can be sharp and stabbing, or more of a dull ache. 

Often, walking or exercise makes the foot feel better for a while, but then, after you sit down and rest, and then get back up, the pain flares up again.

 

The signs that you may have damage in your plantar fascia include:

  1. Pain in the heel of your foot
  2. Sore foot arch or foot arch tenderness
  3. Stiffness in the foot
  4. Tight Achilles tendon
  5. Swelling around the heel

 

Why Does the Bottom of My Foot Hurt?

foot pain plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis may more properly be termed “plantar fasciosis.”

Lots of activities can cause damage to the sensitive connective tissue in the bottom of your foot. Some of the causes of plantar fasciosis include:

  • Standing for long periods of time
  • Working out, dancing, or just walking on a hard surface (like a concrete floor or sidewalk)
  • Exercising without stretching or warming up your feet and leg muscles
  • Wearing shoes with little support, like sandals or flat sneakers
  • Walking around barefoot a lot (even at home)

You might be more susceptible if your arches are very high, or if your feet don’t have much of an arch at all. You may also be at higher risk for foot pain if you are carrying a lot of extra weight.

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis can also contribute to the development of plantar fasciosis. 

 

Plantar Fasciosis Treatment 

Typically, a doctor does not even need to perform any special diagnostic testing to conclude that a person is experiencing plantar fasciitis, or “heel spur syndrome.”

A treatment protocol typically includes some stretching exercises, the use of orthotics, OTC pain medications, and possibly corticosteroid injections.

Rest and patience, and a gradual increase of physical activity are usually recommended.

Acupuncture treatment can help by relieving pain and helping to promote healing in the damaged tissues.

 

Can Acupuncture Help Plantar Fasciosis/Plantar Fasciitis?

 

acupuncture treatment for plantar fasciosis
Acupuncture and Chinese therapeutic massage can help relieve plantar fascia pain.

TCM takes a holistic approach to treating pain conditions and sports injuries. From the TCM perspective, trauma to the plantar fascia area can lead to stagnation and deficiency in the flow of Qi and blood.

Acupuncture, Tuina massage, and gua sha are all TCM modalities that can help improve blood flow and promote healing.

Pain sensations stem from injury and damage to bodily tissues, but the pain signals themselves are controlled by the central nervous system and brain activity. Acupuncture has been shown to have effects that can calm down this signalling, which can alter how a person experiences feelings of pain.

Medical science is still conducting research to understand how it is that acupuncture treatment works effectively to reduce and relieve pain.

The action and “excitability” of neurons in the hypothalamus are related to pain sensations. It has been suggested that acupuncture treatment may help to change the excitability of the neurons, thus changing the perception of pain.

It has also been suggested that pain in the plantar fascia is related to the activation of trigger points in the muscles of the foot. Electro-acupuncture can help “deactivate” these trigger points to relieve pain.

Acupuncture needling may affect nerve endings in the local area that release vasoactive neuropeptides, which play a key role in blood flow to an area and the release of hormones. It may also reduce electrical activity, or the “twitch” response in muscle tissues.

Acupuncture can also increase the levels of endorphins, serotonin, and noradrenaline released by the body’s own pain relief system, and help to decrease the number of pain signals that are being sent through the central nervous system.

One study compared patients who were given exercises to help with their plantar fasciopathy versus patients who did the exercises and were given acupuncture treatment. The exercise-only group experienced an overall 21% reduction of their pain scores, while the acupuncture group reported a greater than 50% reduction in pain right after the treatments.


How to Help Plantar Fasciosis Pain

Here are a few important tip for how to help heal and prevent foot pain from coming back.

  • Wear shoes with a wide toe box and flat heels (not high heels). Be sure to replace your shoes as needed; the cushioning foam in shoes breaks down, even if you haven’t been wearing them often.
  • Wearing toe spacers that help create more space around your toes can help by reducing the constriction of blood vessels and getting more blood flow to your whole foot. 
  • A warm foot bath every night before bedtime, especially with Chinese herbs or Epsom salt, is very helpful for circulation, which is essential for healing damaged connective tissue.
  • Warm up properly before your workout, and vary your workouts, so that you are not just engaging in the same repetitive actions every time you exercise.
  • Avoid running and walking on concrete surfaces, and avoid exercising outdoors when it is damp, rainy, and cold.


Acupuncture Near Me for Plantar Fasciosis in West Los Angeles

Plantar fasciosis pain can get in the way of your daily exercise routine and make walking painful for months, if you don’t take proper care of it. The right combination of gentle exercise, acupuncture treatment, herbs and nutrition can help you get back to walking normally without pain more quickly. If you are feeling that pain in the bottom of your foot every morning when you get out of bed, please consider coming and seeing Dr. Tan or Dr. Cai to help relieve heel pain.

 

 

*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.

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How to Protect Yourself When Air Quality Is Poor

By xiaomei | Published January 24, 2025

By Qineng Tan, L.Ac. Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

 

Hazy smoky, poor air quality
Hazy smoke pollution in the air can cause problems for your health.

During difficult times—natural disasters and fires, in particular—it is more important than ever to protect and optimize your physical, mental, and emotional health.

When air quality in your area is poor, it is necessary to take measures to protect your health and that of your family. Breathing in smoke, even for a short period of time, can have an immediate, negative impact on your health.

Even if you can’t smell it, smoke and other air pollution can irritate your nose, eyes, and throat, and even make you feel nauseated. 

Smoke inhalation affects your respiratory air passages and lungs, causing swelling that leads to wheezing and other problems with breathing.

You may not feel anything right away, but the damage is happening, as your body is not getting the oxygen it needs, and you may begin to notice it after a few hours.

Other effects of inhaling smoke and chemicals in the air include:

  • Coughing, phlegm
  • Wheezing, asthma attack
  • Scratchy throat
  • Irritated sinuses, sinus pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Burning, stinging eyes, watery eyes, or dry eyes
  • Runny nose, sinus drainage

 

Top 5 Tips for Preventing Smoke Pollution Effects

woman rubbing her eyes at her desk
Polluted air can cause itchy, red, dry eyes and sinus problems.

Here are some tips to help you best deal with the effects of smoke air pollution:

  1. Stay inside as much as possible. When going out, wear a good quality mask, ideally an N95 mask. If you don’t have an N95 mask, a surgical mask, cloth mask, or scarf is better than nothing, to help keep smoke from getting into your throat, nose, and lungs.
  2. When in your car, use the setting that recirculates the air, which prevents outside air from entering the cabin of your car.
  3. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and warm liquids: herbal tea, body temperature lemon water, and broths. Chrysanthemum tea is an especially good choice, as it is calming, and good for soothing eye irritation.
  4. Irrigate your nasal passages with saline solution, which can help relieve allergic rhinitis.
  5. Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home to filter particulate matter out of the air. Keeping house plants also helps keep the air in your home clean.

It is natural to feel anxiety and emotional stress when bad things are happening all around you. It is essential that you take time to calm and center yourself, so that you can make good decisions and be there for your loved ones and neighbors.

Take time to meditate and care for yourself. Show your love and concern for those around you, and don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help. 

Avoid reliance on caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. These things  can cause dehydration, inflammation, and overstimulation. Be sure you and family are drinking plenty of water and eating nourishing foods.

One of our favorite recipes that helps to clear mucus from the lungs is to puree steamed asian pears, mash, and eat as you would applesauce. This traditional home remedy for lung congestion is also helpful when someone has bronchitis or a stubborn chest cold.

Listen to soothing music. Don’t keep the news programs on all the time. Do what you need to do to have your essentials packed and ready, without overreacting.

Do your best to keep a positive mindset. Trust yourself to know what is best for you and your family. You have come through difficulties before, and you will do it again. 

 

From all of us at Art of Wellness, we encourage you to stay strong and healthy through this crisis. We will be here to help you in every way we can.

 

 

*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.

 

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