5 Acupoints That Simultaneously Help with Cough and Abdominal Pain

Introduction

When experiencing coughing and abdominal pain at the same time, daily life becomes very inconvenient. With each cough, the abdominal muscles tense up and abdominal pain worsens, which causes sleep quality to decline. Modern medicine treats these symptoms separately, but Eastern medicine views the root causes of coughing and abdominal pain as interconnected. When you stimulate acupoints that improve qi (energy) flow in the lungs and digestive organs, both symptoms can be relieved together.

5 Beneficial Acupoints for Coughing and Abdominal Pain

1. Dazhui — GV14

Location: The depression below the 7th cervical vertebra prominence at the back of the neck. When you lower your head, it is the small depression directly below the most prominent bone.

Benefits: Strengthens lung function and directly relieves coughing. Boosts immunity and helps prevent colds, and is an important acupoint for tonifying yang qi throughout the entire body.

Acupressure technique: Lower your head naturally, then gently rub this point in circular motions with your thumb for 30 seconds. Do not press too hard—light warmth is appropriate.

2. Danzhong — CV17

Location: On the sternum in the center of the chest, at the exact midpoint of the line connecting both nipples. Located at the 4th intercostal space (between the 4th ribs).

Benefits: Directly regulates the respiratory system to relieve coughing and chest tightness. Calms the nervous system and prevents symptom aggravation from stress.

Acupressure technique: Overlap your index and middle fingers and slowly apply pressure in circular motions for 1 minute. Continue until you feel a sense of ease in your chest.

3. Qihai — CV6

Location: About 1.5 cun (approximately 2 centimeters) below the navel, located directly on the anterior midline of the abdomen.

Benefits: A key acupoint that relieves all abdominal pain. Improves digestive function and promotes intestinal movement to relieve abdominal discomfort. An important point for replenishing qi, the vital life energy.

Acupressure technique: Overlap two fingers and press slowly below the navel for 1 minute. Direct pressure is more effective than circular motions.

4. Lieque — LU7

Location: From the wrist crease on the thumb side, about 1.5 cun (approximately 2 centimeters) toward the arm, near the radial styloid process (the pointed bone above the thumb).

Benefits: Directly activates the lung meridian to quickly relieve respiratory symptoms such as coughing, colds, and sore throat. Also improves numbness in the wrist.

Acupressure technique: With the opposite thumb, gently apply circular pressure for 30 seconds on both hands. Continue until you feel a slight stiffness sensation with warmth transmission.

5. Fenglong — ST40

Location: From the outer side of the ankle toward the knee, about 8 cun (approximately 12 centimeters) up, about 2 cun (approximately twice the thumb width) lateral to the tibia. Near the outer bone of the calf.

Benefits: Activates digestive function and directly relieves abdominal discomfort and pain. Removes dampness throughout the body, improves abdominal bloating, and promotes metabolism.

Acupressure technique: Apply pressure with your thumb in slow circular motions for approximately 2 minutes on both legs. It is effective when you feel slight warmth and a slight aching sensation in the calf.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

The most efficient way to relieve both coughing and abdominal pain simultaneously is to apply pressure in sequence. When you wake up in the morning or when symptoms are severe, follow this routine.

Step 1 (1 minute): First, start with Dazhui (GV14) at the back of the neck. This is the first step in activating lung function.

Step 2 (1 minute): Apply pressure to Danzhong (CV17) on the chest to deepen your breathing.

Step 3 (1 minute): Slowly press Qihai (CV6) below the navel to regulate abdominal energy.

Step 4 (1 minute 30 seconds): Apply pressure to Lieque (LU7) on both wrists to strengthen the lung meridian.

Step 5 (1 minute 30 seconds): Finally, apply pressure to Fenglong (ST40) on both calves to activate digestive function.