"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" refers to the disturbances of cardiopulmonary functions and the limitation of physical activities caused by long-term chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and pulmonary emphysema with the repeated onset. The following section discusses the rehabilitation measures of the disease at the remission stage.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Asthenia of the lung

It manifests spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind, susceptibility to common cold, short breath, low voice, or mild cough with dyspnea, white, clear and thin sputum, thin fur, thready and weak or feeble and large pulse. In the case of concurrent yin deficiency, the commonly-seen manifestations include cough with chocking, scanty and sticky sputum, dry throat and mouth and red tongue. It is advisable to tonify the lung and consolidate defensive qi. The prescription used is the modified Yupingfeng Powder (Jade-Screen Powder). In the case of concurrent yin deficiency, this prescription is used in combination with Shengmai Powder (Pulsation-Promoting Powder) with modification.

Asthenia of the spleen

It manifests poor appetite, epigastric fullness, loose stool, or susceptibility to diarrhea due to ingestion of greasy food, short breath with dyspnea, thin and greasy or white and slippery fur, pale tongue, thready and soft pulse. In the case of concurrent yang deficiency, the manifestations include cold body and limbs, cold sensation in the middle abdomen and regurgitation of clear water. It is advisable to strengthen the spleen and resolve phlegm. The prescription used is the modified Liujunzi Decoction (Decoction of Six Ingredients). In the case of concurrent yang deficiency, add Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) and Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis).

Asthenia of the kidney

It manifests short breath with dyspnea at ordinary times aggravated by activities, unsmooth respiration, palpitation, dizziness, tinnitus, lumbar soreness and flaccidity of knees which easily occur after physical overstrain. In the case of marked yang deficiency, the manifestations include aversion to cold, cold limbs, spontaneous sweating, pale complexion, whitish fur, tender and enlarged tongue, deep and thready pulse; in the case of yin deficiency, the manifestations include flushing of zygomatic region, dysphoria with smothery sensation, sticky sweat, red tongue with a little fur, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to strengthen the kidney and regulate inspiration. In the case of marked yang deficiency, use the modified Jinkui Shenqi Bolus; in the case of marked yin deficiency, use the modified Liuwei Dihuang Bolus (Bolus of Six Drugs Including Rehmannia) and Qiwei Duqi Bolus.

Rehabilitation methods

Regulating emotions and recreation therapy

Please refer to the relevant part in the section of "Coronary heart disease". On this basis, select the singing therapy additionally, or practice singing coordinatively with abdominal breathing.

Physical training

Select walking and setting-up jogging. At the beginning, it is advisable to walk and jog alternately. Then, extend the time for jogging and shorten the time for walking gradually. Finally, realize the transition from walking to the whole distance jogging completely. Keep the training until mild short breath occurs every time.

Persist in practicing abdominal breathing at usual times. The method is as follows. Relax the shoulder and back, and concentrate the mind. Then, exhale and inhale air in the proper order. Inspire until the cheeks bulge and expire until the cheeks restore the normal state. Next, adopt the flute-playing method of exhaling air. Namely, contract the lips to form the flute-playing posture. At this time, exhale air slowly via the narrowed degree of lip-rounding. Meanwhile, contract the abdominal muscle and push the diaphragm upwards. Keep self training with this method until a perfect command is achieved.

Bathing

Seawater bath The seawater pressure, seawater lash and swimming movement can deepen breathing to enhance the respiratory function. If the seasonal condition permits, take seawater bath once a day or once every other day. The duration is not advisable to exceed 30 minutes.

Cave bath The air in the cave is fresh and contains a large number of negative oxygenic ions. This can keep the nasopharyngeal mucosa moist, relax the bronchus, improve the pulmonary ventilation function and increase blood oxygen. Accordingly, the method is applicable to the patients with this disease.

Sunbath Adopt the general sunbath, but long duration is not advisable. Besides, it is suitable to apply ultraviolet radiation, first on the whole body, then on the acupoints. As for the latter, apply ultraviolet radiation on the chest [-Tiantu (CV 22) and Danzhong (CV 17)], back [Dazhui (GV 20), Feishu (BL 13), Gaohuang (BL 43) and Geshu (BL 17)] and waist EShenshu (BL 23) and Mingmen (GV 4)-] alternately. In the case of profuse sputum, add Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40); in the case of susceptibility to common cold, add Hegu (LI 4) and Yongquan (KI 1).