Trish- I'm not Lynn and I don't believe that acupuncture and chiropractic are hocus-pocus but there are limits to what each can do. Most diseases have both physical and mental components and it isn't always possible to be certain that a specific treatment is the cause of an improvement in your condition. It is wonderful that there was a significant improvement for you and your friend, but it may or may not have been the result of acupuncture or chiropractic. Acupuncture could possibly trigger endorphins that help with the symptoms of asthma making you feel better temporarily -- but it wouldn't be a cure or remedy for the underlying cause of asthma itself. Asthma is partly genetic and is believed to be controlled by two genetic markers plus environmental (pollution), viral (infections), allergens, and psychological factors that trigger the condition. There wouldn't be any way that chiropractic or acupuncture could remove the root causes of asthma (you can't change your genes) and I seriously doubt they could have much of an effect on Lynn's condition either -- unless the beneficial effect was primarily psychological. I understand that you are saying as a "last ditch effort" try anything that you can and obviously people are free to choose to do that--but if money is a factor it would probably just be an unnecessary expense. I, too, have a form of asthma that is triggered by strong odors, mold, and upper respiratory infections although my condition is nowhere near as severe as Lynn's (she and I have discussed this before). The best thing I can is avoid the triggers, try to keep from getting colds and other infections and make sure I keep my immune system working its best. Her condition may well improve over time (I know mine has) but avoiding the triggers is often the best recourse. Just my opinion and two cents' worth--you don't have to agree. <g> Joan In a message dated 1/27/2009 4:03:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: have you tried chiropractic care and/or acupuncture? A friend was nearly as badly reactive as you are and finally did a last ditch effort to find *something* to help her breathing, short of living in a bubble. The acupuncture really has helped her function. I know chiropractic care has helped my asthma significantly, to the point that the mold in our sanctuary really doesn't bother me much anymore, except when I am sick or have other things that compromise my lungs. Before I went to the chiro, before I saw my friend's change from her acupuncture, I was the biggest skeptic about the seemingly "hocus pocus" of the two medicines.