When the first signs appear for me....what works is to sit forward, allowing the lungs to drop forward and be in the most relaxed state.
I was asthmatic since about the age of 2. Have had countless medication, spinhalers, inhalers etc... At the age of 14 I decided I wouldn't be using my inhalers anymore much to the horror of my Mum and doctor. I had one big attack which I controlled by not panicking and controlled breathing and then didn't have another one until I was breastfeeding my first son when I was 30 as I was feeling very frustrated. The only thing I had to hand was his sachets of teething powder so I took one of those and felt some relief. At the first sign of feeling wheezy, I now take the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum. If I have a cold or chest infection I have fresh ginger infusions which is very good for the respiratory system. As a teenager I found that a little brandy helped stave off an attack, although that may have been an excuse to have a tipple 😉
Eucalyptus is an age old remedy for breathing problems also but, I agree with kvdp's post, particularly regarding the diet, lines of elimination, lack of breastfeeding and vaccination. In my case I believe that although I already had a genetic disposition to asthma, the latter 2 were the triggers.
I read with interest the technique using finger pressure in the axilla. This area equates to an acupoint called Heart 1, and as such it is one of the main points to affect the centre of the chest.
In acute asthma attacks acupuncturists tend to needle another point on the back of the neck as there is some danger that incorrect needling of HT1 can injure the lungs. The neck point is located 2 fingers width lateral to the bony bump that can be felt on the centreline of the back at the base of the neck (the C7 spinous process). Strong finger pressure (I'd use the knuckles) can be helpful, but its difficult to do on yourself, unlike the HT 1 point.
There seems to be a lot of discussion on the symptoms or manifestation of asthma, but what about the underlying issues that are causing the asthma to manifest?
What is the imbalance that the body is trying to get rid of which at the same time the person is trying to keep repressed within the body?
If we consider the other function of the lungs as opposed to the mechanical function of respiration, we require breath to talk and express ourselves, if we refuse to talk about something which needs talking about, that action in itself causes an inner conflict which needs addressing.
I often perceive asthma as a battle between the body which is trying to regain inner harmony and the person who is repressing an issue and shielding it within the body which is causing the disharmony which manifests as asthma.
Asthma and Chinese medicine
Chinese medicine looks at asthma in several ways, mainly because people are different from each other, and the condition varies according to circumstances such as age, diet, weather and so on. The Lungs are thought to be one of the sources of whats called "Post-Heaven Qi", meaning that much of the energy that the body needs after being born comes from air via the lungs. Ths stomach is the other source, deriving energy from food. Interruption to this mechanism may lead someone to become Qi-Deficient, lacking in the basic energy required for normal function. A further energetic catalyst is required, which comes primarily from "Earlier-Heaven Qi", meaning the energetic inheritance gifted to the unborn embryo by the parents at conception. This energy is thought to be stored and accentuated by the Kidneys.
The Lungs are known as the "Delicate Organ", easily affected by several pathogenic factors. Childhood asthma may be related to a lack of Earlier-Heaven Qi; think of this as a genetic weakness or pre-disposition. This would likely be coupled with a "failure to thrive", late development, possible hearing, skeletal or urogenital problems, and so on.
However, the Lungs may also be affected by Damp and Phlegm, which can arise internally as a result of over consumption of Damp-forming foods, primarily dairy and wheat products (and beer :() which feature heavily in a typical western diet. Asthma in childhood often clears by reducing dairy products, as does eczema in some cases. People with excessive Phlegm often have weight issues and sinus problems.
The Chinese view the common cold as an attack of pathogenic Wind; if for some reason the body is unable to clear the pathogenic factor completely, or has a tendency towards Lung-Phlegm due to faulty diet, the pathogen may reside at a deep level causing Lung weakness; this might equate to post-viral asthma in the western sense.
The Lungs are partly responsible for distributing moisture to the body, especially the skin; Lung weakness may be evidenced by dry skin, dry eczema and a pale, greyish complexion. Should the Lungs be attacked by Wind-Heat (dry cough without much phlegm, or with scanty but sticky dark phlegm) the drying effect of the Heat can also lead to Lung weakness. Smoking is also very drying, and interferes with the moisturising nature of the Lungs. Cannabis would also qualify. Smoking has a particulary "drying" effect and can suppress the formation of Damp and Phlegm by its heating nature; ex-smokers have a tendency to produce more Phlegm as its no longer being dried out by the smoke. Interestingly atherosclerosois is thought of as "Dried-Phlegm" in the arteries, and is often more prevelent in smokers.
Post exercise asthma would be seen in CM to affect folk whose Lungs (and therefore Qi levels) are diminished, as exercise uses energy; the depleted person has little enough to spare and might benefit from low impact exercise such as Tai Chi, which has been shown to help with Lung function. I've had Tai Chi students that threw their inhalers in the bin after a few weeks of what seems like very gentle exercise.
Finally, the Lungs are affected by Sadness, and especially Grief, typically when there is a reluctance to "let go" of the event that initated the emotional state. This might be seen by some as "repressed issues" as previously mentioned.