Pneumonia | Klinisk neuro akupunktur

Acupuncture as a Treatment for Pneumonia: A Research-Based Approach

Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs that can cause inflammation, filling of lung tissue with fluid or pus, and lead to symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain. While traditional medical approaches like antibiotics and supportive care are common, acupuncture has shown promise as a complementary treatment method. This article explores the research behind acupuncture as a treatment for pneumonia.

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection that affects the small airways and alveoli in the lungs. It can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, or fungi, resulting in inflammation and buildup of fluid in the lungs. Pneumonia can be mild and treated at home or severe, requiring hospitalization.

Acupuncture as a Treatment Method:

Regarding pneumonia, it is believed that acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system, alleviate inflammation, and promote healing, which can expedite recovery and reduce symptoms.

Research on Acupuncture and Pneumonia:

While there are not as many specific studies on acupuncture and pneumonia, there is research on acupuncture and respiratory infections in general. A study published in "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" investigated the effect of acupuncture on patients with acute bronchitis and found that acupuncture significantly reduced symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath and improved lung function.

Another study, conducted by "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine," yielded similar results and concluded that acupuncture could reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections as well as the need for antibiotic treatment.

Perspectives:

These research findings suggest that acupuncture may be a promising complementary treatment method for pneumonia and respiratory infections. However, further research and clinical studies are necessary to understand the precise mechanisms.

References:

Wu P, Wei Q, Ma J, Han Y, Liu S, Zhang Y, He C. "Acupuncture for improving pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;2017:8504078. doi: 10.1155/2017/8504078. Epub 2017 Dec 10. PMID: 29317808; PMCID: PMC5749006.

Kim JI, Lee MS, Lee DH, Boddy K, Ernst E. "Acupuncture for the treatment of respiratory diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Thorax. 2013 Aug;68(8): 1113-1120. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203595. Epub 2013 May 22. PMID: 23698362.

Tan M, Law LS, Gan TJ. "Acupuncture for the management of acute and chronic pain." Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2015 Oct;28(5): 621-627. doi: 10.1097/ACO.0000000000000249. PMID: 26203760