Cough & Phlegm
Acupuncture for Cough & Phlegm in North Vancouver
A cough that hangs on after a cold, a tickly throat or phlegm that won't clear can disturb your sleep and wear down your energy. AcuLife Wellness offers acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as complementary support, alongside care from your physician.
Overview
Most coughs from a cold or flu settle within about three weeks. A cough that lasts longer, sometimes called a post-viral cough, is common after respiratory infections, and a cough can also be linked with post-nasal drip, asthma, acid reflux, smoking or some blood pressure medications. A cough that lasts more than three weeks should be assessed by your physician to find the cause.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a cough is seen as lung qi that isn't descending smoothly, and phlegm is considered closely linked to digestion as well as the lungs. At AcuLife Wellness, we start by learning when your cough began, what it's like and any tests or treatment you've had before recommending an approach.
Common Symptoms & Experiences
- A cough that lingers for weeks after a cold or flu
- A tickly, dry or irritated throat
- Phlegm or mucus that's hard to clear
- Coughing fits at night that disturb sleep
- Tiredness from a long-lasting cough
How Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine May Be Used
Acupuncture for a cough usually uses points on the chest, upper back, arms and legs chosen for your pattern, and cupping on the upper back may be used where appropriate. Chinese herbal medicine is often an important part of TCM care for cough and phlegm; Hong will review your medications and health history before recommending herbs.
Research on acupuncture for cough is limited, and acupuncture is not a treatment for infections such as pneumonia. It's used as complementary care alongside your physician's assessment and any treatment they recommend.
AcuLife's Approach
Hong Ji, R.TCM.P., is a registered TCM practitioner in both Canada and China with 35 years of clinical experience. She often combines acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine and takes a whole-body view, so your plan considers your sleep, digestion and energy as well as your cough.
Learn more about Hong JiWhat to Expect
Your first visit includes a conversation about your cough (how long it's lasted, whether it's dry or brings up phlegm, what makes it worse, and any diagnosis or tests), followed by an individualized assessment and treatment. How often you come in is discussed and adjusted as care progresses.
If post-nasal drip or a blocked nose is part of the picture, see our allergies and sinusitis page.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your physician for a cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, fever, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chest pain or a cough with wheezing. Call 911 for severe difficulty breathing, blue lips, or chest pain with shortness of breath. Babies, young children, older adults and people with lung or heart conditions should be seen sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Cough Support in North Vancouver?
Book an appointment with AcuLife Wellness.