Disease and Condition Overview
Chronic Bronchitis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchi and lung: the cause may be infection or non-infection. The main system is persistent coughs, phlegm, even stridor. The systems are more prevalent in the morning, phlegm color is often white, foamy, difficult to expel. The course of the disease is often more than two years and every occurrence lasts at least more than 3 months.

Pair-point Treatment Combinations

(1) Fengmen (BL12), Feishu (BL13) ( Fig 69 )
Fengmen (BL12), Feishu (BL13) are both points on the foot-taiyang channel, both located on the upper back. This pair point combination, one clears, one tonifies, works to dispel wind, harmonize and regulate lung, stop cough and resolve phlegm. Appropriate for all types of chronic bronchitis.

Needling techniques:
1. During the attack, most often needle Fengmen (BL12) perpendicular insertion 1 cun, Feishu (BL13) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
2. In remission, use moxibustion on these two points. (warm needle moxa or moxa stick, wheat grain moxa).

(2) Xuanji (RN21), Qihai (RN6) (Fig 75)
Xuanji (RN21): on the chest, on the anterior midline, 1 cun posterior to Tiantu (RN22).
Qihai (RN6): on the lower abdomen, on the anterior midline, 1.5 cun inferior to the umbilicus.
Xuanji (RN21), Qihai (RN6) both are points on the Ren channel. Xuanji (RN21) is located at the upper jiao, whereas Qihai (RN6) is located at lower jiao. This pair point combination, work in synergy, promote lung stop cough, opens air passage ways and relieves asthma. Appropriate for more advanced stage of chronic bronchitis.

Needling techniques:
1. Xuanji (RN21) towards inferior direction oblique insertion 0.5-1 cun.
2. Qihai (RN6) moxa using moxa stick 10-20 minutes.

(3) Zhongwan (RN12), Fenglong (ST40) (Fig 76)
Zhongwan (RN12): on the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 cun superior to the umbilicus.
Fenglong (ST40): on the anteriolateral side of the lower leg, 8 cun superior to the prominence of the lateral malleolus, lateral to Tiaokou (ST38), two finger breadths (middle finger) lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
Zhongwan (RN12), located at the middle jiao, is the front-mu point of the stomach Fenglong (ST40) is the luo-connecting point of foot-yangming channel, connecting to foot-taiyin channel. This pair point combination, strengthens spleen harmonizes stomach resolving phlegm and dampness. Appropriate for chronic bronchitis with heavy dampness and phlegm.

Needling techniques:
1. Zhongwan (RN12) point needle 1 cun, warm needle moxa or moxa using moxa stick 20 minutes.
2. Fenglong (ST40) perpendicular insertion 1.5-2 cun.

Commentaries
Acupuncture treatment is effective for treating chronic bronchitis. However, due to the long course of the disease and its reoccurrence, it is important to adhere to consistent long treatment plan. In addition, it is differentiate between attack and remission, and select points accordingly.
Generally, during an attack, needle Fengmen (BL12), Feishu (BL13) pair-point combination.
Excess dampness and phlegm, needle Zhongwan (RN12), Fenglong (ST36) pair-point combination.
In remission, use moxibustion as primary treatment. For those with qi deficiency, select Xuanji (RN21), Qihai (RN6) pair-point combination.