202
8 Further Indications
8.2.3 Bronchopulmonary Infection
Description
■ Respiratory infection, mainly of viral, less commonly of bacterial origin
■ Symptoms vary according to organ involvement:
– nose and paranasal sinuses: head cold (blocked nose), possibly headache
– throat/pharynx: sore throat, loss of voice
– lungs: cough, dry or with phlegm
Point Prescription
The point prescription depends on the organs involved and RAC-palpation (
›
3.1.4).
French points
■ Local points: possibly
Nose
,
Nasal Mucosa
(
›
6.3.4)
■ Stabilising points:
Laterality Point
(
›
6.8.6),
Bronchopulmonary Plexus
(6.10.1),
Point Zero
(
›
6.10.3)
■ Defense against infection:
Thymus
(
›
6.6.1),
Interferon
(
›
6.7.3),
Infection Axis
(
›
6.12.4)
Chinese points
■ Local points:
Thorax (42)
(
›
6.4.4),
Lung (101)
,
Bronchi (102)
(
›
6.4.1),
Dyspnoea
(60)
(
›
6.4.7), possibly
Larynx and Tooth (27)
(
›
6.3.3),
Palate (2)
,
Floor of the Mouth
(3)
(
›
6.3.4)
Treatment Intervals
■
Acute stage:
initially once daily or every other day, then 2–3 times weekly until symp-
toms have disappeared
■ Start of treatments
after the acute stage:
2–3 times weekly until symptoms have disap-
peared
• Acupuncture can significantly accelerate the healing process of a viral infection.
• If the patient shows signs of pneumonia (findings include crackles and an aggravation
of breath sounds) he/she should be referred to a consultant.
• Auricular acupuncture can be continued while the patient is taking antibiotics (im-
provement of pulmonary symptoms, fewer side effects).
Treatment Course and Prognosis
■ Generally symptoms disappear after one or a few days depending on the severity and
the extent of organ involvement.
■ With a weak constitution or a persistent infection it may take 2–4 weeks until symp-
toms disappear.
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