Message Therapy

Hi Golfmom and welcome to COPD.net.
There are various views concerning the use of acupuncture and it's efficacy when treating COPD. Our suggestion is to contact your private physician or health care provider to determine if this is a suitable option for you.
Regards, and please keep us posted at to what you find out for yourself.
Leon, site moderator.

Hi Golfmom - I'm not sure about acupressure - I wouldn't expect to see direct or lasting improvement in your COPD with it but on the other hand it isn't going to do you harm. If the massage/acupressure relaxes you or makes you feel better in any way then go for it - just don't expect miracles.

Incidentally in a recent presentation given by Dr.Shirley Ngai (Hong Kong) she told us how she had been collaborating with the Australian Lung Foundation and others looking at an 'East meets West' approach to pulmoanary rehab. This incorporated use of Acupuncture and Tai Chi alongside the more traditional approaches. Others have looked at Acupuncture too - usually for increased relief of Dyspnea (shortness of breath) and there have been claims of positive results (see link below). For now though nothing is 100% proven so I would say try whatever is safe and gives you results - whether those are physical improvements or just feel-good de-stressors. Also I would use any 'extras' alongside conventional COPD treatments, and never 'instead of'.

Article re Acupunture/COPD research:
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/23570279_The_Effect_of_Acupuncture_in_the_Treatment_of_Chronic_Obstructive_Pulmonary_Disease