Mountain sickness in Grenoble: when altitude shakes up the Qi

Headaches, breathlessness, nausea, disturbed sleep above 2,000 metres: mountain sickness takes hikers by surprise. In traditional Chinese medicine, altitude creates a lack of Qi in the air — a thinner breath that asks the body to adapt.

Why mountain sickness? The perspective of Chinese medicine

At altitude, the air is more rarefied: in TCM, this amounts to an insufficient Qi of the air that the Lung can no longer capture in the usual quantity. The Kidney, which anchors the breath, must compensate. Mountain sickness reflects this difficulty of adaptation: headaches, nausea, oppression, agitation of the Shen. The support helps you ascend without rushing, by supporting the Lung and the Kidney.

Two patterns frequently seen in practice

Lung Qi insufficiency (breathlessness, oppression)

Rapid breathlessness on exertion, chest oppression, dry cough, unusual fatigue.

**Tongue**: pale · **Pulse**: weak

Agitation of the Shen and stagnation (headaches, nausea)

Headaches, nausea, disturbed sleep, altitude anxiety, dizziness.

**Tongue**: normal or red edges · **Pulse**: wiry

What traditional Chinese medicine offers

Supportive acupuncture

Lung and Kidney points, points that soothe nausea and headaches; beforehand or during acclimatisation.

Dietetics

Regular hydration, light and warm foods, avoid alcohol and heavy meals at altitude.

Lifestyle

Ascend gradually, acclimatise, sleep lower down when possible, respect the warning signs (beyond that, medical advice).

The acupuncture points most often used for this complaint: MC6, GI4, E36, GI5.

The combined approach of sophrology and Chinese medicine in Grenoble

Traditional Chinese medicine and sophrology complement each other: the first acts on the body's energetic balance, the second on the nervous system and stress management. Combining the two makes it possible to treat the ground — the one that sustains the symptom — and the emotional state that accompanies it. In Grenoble, at the Centre Équilibre, this combined approach is built session after session, according to your profile.

Frequently asked questions

Can acupuncture prevent mountain sickness?

It helps with acclimatisation and comfort (nausea, headaches), but does not replace precautions: gradual ascent and medical advice in the event of serious symptoms.

Why am I breathless more quickly?

The air is more rarefied: in TCM, the Lung captures less Qi per breath and the Kidney must compensate.

What should I do in the event of a serious symptom?

Descend and consult: altitude pulmonary or cerebral oedema is an emergency. TCM has no role in an emergency.

Learn more

→ [TCM practitioner in Grenoble](/praticien-en-medecine-traditionnelle-chinoise-a-grenoble)

→ [Chinese medicine and sleep in Grenoble](/medecine-chinoise-et-sommeil-a-grenoble)

→ [Acupuncture in Grenoble](/l-acupuncture-a-grenoble)

**Ghislaine Morin**, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and sophrologist, welcomes you at 29 Quai Claude Bernard, 38000 Grenoble. Book on 06 24 90 04 98 or online at https://calendly.com/centre-equilibre-sophrologie

Ghislaine Morin's website in Grenoble : www.sophrologue-grenoble.fr/medecine-chinoise-a-grenoble-38000-38100