What’s the Difference Between Chize and Lieque?
Many people get confused about whether to press Chize or Lieque when respiratory symptoms appear. Both are effective for cough and sore throat. However, upon closer examination, these two acupoints differ in location and the scope of their effects. Chize handles local upper respiratory symptoms from the elbow, while Lieque addresses whole-body cold symptoms and headaches from the wrist. Understanding this difference allows for accurate acupressure matched to your specific symptoms.
Exploring Chize (LU5) in Depth
Exact Location
Chize is located on the inner arm, just above the elbow crease that appears when you bend your elbow. More precisely, it’s on the lateral side of the biceps tendon (the tendon on the inner side of the elbow)—toward the thumb. If you trace along the inner elbow crease with your finger and move outward, you can find a slight depression between muscle and bone. This point is Chize.
Recommended For
Chize is particularly excellent for upper respiratory conditions. When you have a severe cough or asthma symptoms, or a sore throat from a cold, you can feel immediate relief. It’s also effective for fevers accompanying a cold, elbow pain, or arm stiffness. Chize acupressure is especially helpful for those with persistent cough, chronic asthma, or acute pharyngitis that makes swallowing difficult.
Pressing Method and Tips
When pressing Chize, extend your arm slightly to expose the point, then apply slow, strong pressure with your thumb. Press for 3 seconds, release for 1 second, and repeat about 20 times per minute. The pressure should be at a level where it’s uncomfortable but bearable. For acute coughs, you can continue pressing for 5 minutes or longer. If you have long nails, use your knuckles or a cone-shaped acupressure tool for precise stimulation. Avoid pressing within 1 hour after meals, and afternoon pressing is more effective than evening.
Exploring Lieque (LU7) in Depth
Exact Location
Lieque is located about 1.5 sun (approximately 4-5 cm) above the wrist crease in the direction of the thumb (on the radial side of the forearm). More specifically, it’s just above the radial styloid process (the bony prominence on the thumb side of the wrist), about one finger-width away from the wrist crease when the wrist is bent. It’s easiest to find when the wrist is slightly flexed, and it feels like a groove between muscle and tendon.
Recommended For
Lieque is effective for cold symptoms at all stages, from early onset to progression. It truly shines when headache accompanies a cold, or when you have throat heaviness and cough. Unlike Chize, Lieque focuses on enhancing whole-body immunity and cold resistance. When you first start experiencing sneezing and runny nose, or as a preventive measure when you feel mild body aches, pressing Lieque can significantly slow cold progression. Chronic headaches and neck stiffness can also improve with Lieque acupressure.
Pressing Method and Tips
Since Lieque is located on the wrist, it’s very easy to access. Press with the opposite thumb, but it’s more accurate to stimulate the point when your wrist is slightly bent. Press for 3 seconds, release for 1 second, and repeat about 20 times per minute for a total of 3-5 minutes. Since it’s closer to the skin surface than Chize, moderate pressure is sufficient. During early cold stages, you can press it frequently 3-4 times daily, and drinking warm water right after pressing enhances its effects. If your wrist is sensitive, use a rounded acupressure tool or press with your middle finger.
Core Comparison Summary
| Item | Chize (LU5) | Lieque (LU7) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Above elbow crease, lateral to biceps tendon | 1.5 sun above wrist crease, above radial styloid process |
| Primary Effects | Cough, asthma, sore throat, elbow pain, fever | Headache, cold, cough, sore throat, neck pain |
| Difficulty Finding | Moderate (easier to find with bent elbow) | Easy (immediately accessible from wrist) |
| Pressure Intensity | Strong (uncomfortable but tolerable) | Moderate (comfortable yet distinct sensation) |
| Range of Effect | Localized (upper respiratory focus) | Whole-body (immunity and general cold symptoms) |
| Recommended Situations | Severe cough, asthma, acute pharyngitis | Early cold stages, headache accompanied, preventive use |
| Pressing Frequency | 1-2 times daily, more often if needed | 3-4 times daily, intensive during early cold |
Using Both Together Creates Synergy
Using Chize and Lieque together can create an enhanced effect. When you have both cough and headache from a cold, first ease whole-body cold symptoms with Lieque, then address the cough more deeply with Chize. The order isn’t critical, but proceeding from wrist (Lieque) to elbow (Chize) on the same arm allows qi to flow naturally upward. It’s fine to press both points on the same day, and doing so lets you address multiple cold symptoms simultaneously, speeding recovery. Pressing both acupoints twice daily (morning and evening) for 3-5 days at the onset of a cold can significantly slow its progression. Drinking warm tea or ginger tea after pressing enhances the effects.
Conclusion: Selection Guide by Situation
Choose Chize when: Cough is your primary symptom, you have asthma, it’s difficult to swallow due to sore throat, or you have pain and stiffness around the elbow. Chize acts like an “emergency remedy” for intense local respiratory symptoms.
Choose Lieque when: You’re at the early stage of a cold or using it for cold prevention, your cold is accompanied by headache, or you have chronic neck stiffness. Lieque acts like a “preventive medicine” that boosts whole-body immunity and stops cold progression.
Use both when: Your cold has multiple symptoms including cough, headache, and sore throat, or you have complex symptoms from acute cold. Press both points in order from Lieque (wrist) to Chize (elbow). This way, you boost whole-body cold resistance while directly addressing local respiratory symptoms. With the right choice, you can shorten your cold recovery time and experience more effective self-care.
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