How to treat pleurisy with traditional Chinese medicine

Pleurisy can be treated by oral administration of traditional chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, acupoint application, diet conditioning, etc. Pleural inflammation is usually caused by factors such as infection, trauma, autoimmune diseases, tumors, tuberculosis, etc., manifested as symptoms such as chest pain, cough, and difficulty breathing.

1. Oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine commonly used for treating pleurisy includes clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, resolving phlegm and stopping cough. Xiaochaihu Tang is suitable for the chest and rib syndrome caused by pathogenic invasion, and can alleviate cold and heat exchange, chest and rib distension and pain; Gualou Xiebai Banxia Tang acupuncture is effective in treating phlegm heat obstructing the lungs, improving cough, phlegm jaundice, chest tightness, and shortness of breath; Xuefu Zhuyu Tang is used for Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome to alleviate symptoms such as stabbing pain, fixation, and purple and dark tongue texture. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners should treat based on syndrome differentiation and avoid self medication.

II. acupuncture and moxibustion therapy

Acupuncture treatment is performed at points such as Qimen, Tanzhong and Neiguan, and moxibustion at Feishu and Geshu can warm and unblock the meridians. Empirically relieve chest pain with laxative therapy, and improve shortness of breath with tonifying therapy for deficiency syndrome. Treat once a day, with 10 sessions constituting one course of treatment. Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the immune function and promote the absorption of pleural effusion, but it should be used cautiously for those with bleeding constitution.

Thirdly, cupping therapy

involves walking or fixing the bladder in the back, leaving the bladder for 5-10 minutes, and is suitable for phlegm dampness type pleurisy. Improve local circulation, eliminate tissue edema, and alleviate referred back pain through negative pressure stimulation. Patients with skin damage or high fever are prohibited from using it. After operation, it is necessary to avoid wind and keep warm to prevent repeated infections.

Fourth, Acupoint Application

Apply herbs such as mustard seed and sweet paste to the Fei Shu and Ashi acupoints, and exert cough and asthma relieving effects through transdermal absorption. Suitable for adjuvant treatment of tuberculous pleurisy, remove after 4-6 hours of application, and switch to infrared therapy for skin allergies. It can reduce chest adhesions, but it needs to be combined with anti tuberculosis drugs.

V. Diet conditioning

In the acute phase, it is advisable to take mild diuretic products such as coix seed Congee and radish soup, and in the chronic phase, use lily Broth of white fungus to nourish yin and moisten lung. Avoid spicy and seafood foods, and those with excessive phlegm should consume less fat, sweet, and rich flavors. Moderate consumption of Houttuynia cordata tea can assist in anti-inflammatory treatment. If edema occurs, salt intake should be controlled, and daily water intake should not exceed 1500 milliliters.

Patients with pleurisy should maintain good indoor air circulation and regularly turn over to prevent pressure ulcers during the acute phase of bed rest. During the recovery period, abdominal breathing training can be performed twice a day for 10 minutes each time, gradually increasing low-intensity exercises such as walking. Monitor changes in body temperature and respiratory rate. If symptoms such as worsening chest pain and hemoptysis occur, immediate follow-up is necessary. Avoiding emotional excitement during treatment and ensuring sufficient sleep can help restore positive energy.