5 Acupoints That Help Both Asthma and Skin Problems

Why Do Asthma and Skin Problems Appear Together?

While asthma and skin problems may seem like separate conditions, in Traditional Chinese Medicine they are usually caused by the same underlying factors.

Common causes of both conditions:

• Qi Deficiency (氣虛) – Insufficient body energy weakens respiratory defense, reducing skin’s self-recovery ability
• Damp-Heat (濕熱) – Accumulated internal dampness and heat trigger inflammation, increasing respiratory secretions and skin itching simultaneously
• Insufficient Lung Qi (肺氣不足) – Reduced respiratory immunity weakens the skin’s self-defense function

Therefore, to address both conditions at their root, you must simultaneously strengthen the respiratory system and boost immunity. Rather than treating each symptom separately, the key is selecting acupoints that strengthen lung qi while improving toxin elimination and immune function.

5 Acupoints That Help Both Asthma and Skin Problems

The following 5 acupoints provide three combined benefits: strengthening lung function, boosting immunity, and eliminating inflammation.

1. SP6 – The Hub of Immunity

Location: On the inner leg (medial posterior aspect of the tibia), approximately 10cm (about 4 finger widths) vertically upward from the highest point of the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus). When sitting with your leg raised, you can locate it in the hollow space between the bone and muscle.

Why it’s effective for asthma and skin: It’s the meeting point of three meridians (Kidney, Liver, and Spleen), replenishing the body’s foundational energy. It strengthens the weakened lung function in asthma patients while simultaneously boosting immunity to reduce skin inflammation. It eliminates internal damp-heat to relieve itching and is especially effective for improving skin problems caused by hormone imbalances.

Self-Acupressure Technique:

1. Sit in a comfortable position and raise your leg
2. Locate the acupoint with your thumb and press slowly
3. Massage for 1-2 minutes at a soreness-comfort intensity (酸脹感)
4. Repeat twice daily (morning and evening)

Important Note: Avoid this acupoint during pregnancy. SP6 can stimulate uterine contractions during pregnancy.

2. LI11 – Immediate Control of Breathing and Inflammation

Location: When your elbow is bent at 90 degrees, it’s located at the outer end of the elbow crease (thumb side). Pressing with your finger reveals a slight hollow at this precise point.

Why it’s effective for asthma and skin: As a key point on the Large Intestine meridian, it regulates both the respiratory and digestive-elimination systems. It strengthens lung function to improve breathing difficulties from asthma and promotes bowel movements to aid toxin elimination from the body. It quickly calms inflammation, providing immediate relief from skin redness and itching.

Self-Acupressure Technique:

1. Place your opposite hand’s thumb on LI11
2. Stimulate for 1-2 minutes with a pressing-releasing motion
3. Or massage slowly in circular motions, equally effective
4. Repeat 2-3 times daily, or immediately when breathing difficulties or skin itching occurs

Reason for Rapid Effect: As a key point on the Large Intestine meridian, LI11 quickly regulates the body’s energy flow, providing immediate relief for acute symptoms (coughing, itching).

3. GV14 – The Central Hub of Bodily Yang Qi

Location: Following the spine downward from the neck, it’s located in the hollow area directly below the most prominent bone (7th cervical vertebra). When you bend your head forward, you can find the most protruding cervical spine, and GV14 is in the hollow area directly below it.

Why it’s effective for asthma and skin: As the meeting point of all yang meridians, it serves as the central hub of bodily yang qi. It strengthens lung qi to fundamentally improve respiratory function and prevent repeated asthma episodes. It activates the immune system to enhance the skin’s self-recovery ability, reducing pigmentation and scar formation caused by long-term inflammation.

Self-Acupressure Technique (Simple Method):

1. Prepare a tennis ball or hand massage ball
2. Lie on the floor and place the ball under your back at the GV14 location
3. Press slowly using your body weight for about 1-2 minutes
4. Or receive assistance from family members using two thumbs to press gently

Important Caution: Avoid pressing directly on the spine bone itself. Stimulating the hollow areas on either side is safer and more effective.

4. CV17 – The Center of Breathing

Location: At the center of the sternum on the chest, at the point where an imaginary line connecting both nipples meets the center line of the chest. In other words, it’s located between the 4th and 5th ribs (4th intercostal space).

Why it’s effective for asthma and skin: An important point on the Conception Vessel, it regulates qi flow throughout the entire chest. It directly strengthens lung qi to reduce asthma attacks and enables deeper, easier breathing. Simultaneously, it improves the connection between the Heart and Lungs to relieve stress-related skin problems and promotes blood circulation to increase nutrient and oxygen supply to the skin.

Self-Acupressure Technique:

1. Lie down in a comfortable position
2. Overlap two fingers and press slowly with the tip of your thumb
3. Stimulate for about 1-2 minutes with gentle but firm pressure (avoid pain)
4. Combining deep breathing makes it even more effective

Coordinated Breathing: When acupressing, practicing diaphragmatic breathing (slow inhalation and gradual exhalation) doubles the effect of strengthening lung qi.

5. LU5 – Direct Lung Qi Replenishment

Location: When your arm is extended, it’s located on the outer side of the elbow crease, at the outer end of the biceps tendon. When you extend your arm forward with fingers open and slightly bend the elbow, a crease forms. LU5 is located slightly above the outer end of that crease.

Why it’s effective for asthma and skin: As an important point on the Lung meridian, it directly replenishes lung qi. It rapidly alleviates coughing and shortness of breath from asthma and restores lung function. It also eliminates heat from constipation patterns to improve acne and dermatitis, brightening skin tone and restoring skin elasticity.

Self-Acupressure Technique:

1. Place your opposite hand’s thumb or index finger on LU5
2. Stimulate by massaging in circular motions or with pressing movements
3. Continue for 1-2 minutes
4. When coughing is severe or breathing is difficult, immediate stimulation produces rapid relief

Immediate Effect: Many people report that stimulating LU5 when asthma symptoms are severe (sudden coughing, shortness of breath) eases breathing within minutes.

Acupressure Guide by Asthma and Skin Problem Severity

It’s important to adjust your acupressure technique based on symptom severity and situation.

Stage 1: Early Stage (Mild symptoms or preventive purposes)

• Acupressure frequency: Once daily, either morning or evening
• Acupressure duration: 1 minute per acupoint for all 5, total 5 minutes
• Duration: Minimum 4 weeks or longer
• Recommended order: SP6 → LI11 → CV17 → LU5 → GV14

Stage 2: Intermediate Stage (Clear symptoms and desire for improvement)

• Acupressure frequency: Twice daily (morning and evening)
• Acupressure duration: 1-2 minutes per acupoint for all 5, total 10 minutes
• Duration: Minimum 8 weeks or longer
• Additional tip: Combining diaphragmatic breathing during evening acupressure enhances effectiveness

Stage 3: Acute Stage (Asthma attacks or severe skin itching)

• Immediate acupoints: LI11 + LU5 (these two provide immediate relief)
• Stimulation duration: 2-3 minutes each, repeat as needed
• Daily frequency: 3-5 times as needed until symptoms subside
• Additional action: Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need to stimulate all 5 acupoints? What if I’m short on time?

A. If you’re short on time, start with the essential 3: LI11 (immediate effect), SP6 (immunity), and CV17 (breathing stability). These three alone can provide sufficient improvement. Once you have more time, add LU5 and GV14.

Q. When do acupressure effects appear?

A. LI11 and LU5 have immediate effects (easier breathing within 5-15 minutes), but fundamental improvement requires consistent acupressure for 4 weeks or longer. Many people notice immune improvement by week 3 and noticeable skin improvement by weeks 6-8.

Q. Should I stimulate only one side of the arm (leg), or both sides?

A. Stimulating both sides is most effective. Especially if one side of the body has more severe symptoms, stimulate that side for slightly longer. For example: if only the left lung has severe asthma, stimulate the left LI11 for 1 additional minute.

Q. What should I do about GV14, which is difficult to stimulate alone?

A. Using a tennis ball is the most effective self-method for GV14. Lie on the floor and place the ball under your back at the GV14 location, pressing slowly for 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, ask a family member to help stimulate it.

Q. Can I do this acupressure during pregnancy?

A. Avoid SP6 only during pregnancy. During pregnancy, stimulate only the other 4 acupoints: GV14, CV17, LI11, and LU5. If uncertain, consult with your healthcare professional (acupuncturist or obstetrician) first for safety.

Q. Can I experience fatigue or temporary symptom worsening after acupressure?

A. During the first 1-2 weeks, you may experience a healing reaction (detoxification response). Itching may temporarily intensify or you may feel fatigued, but this signals that your body is entering a healing process. Most people improve after 3-5 days, so continue acupressing but adjust the intensity.

Q. Is acupressure safe while taking medications?

A. Acupoint stimulation is generally safe alongside most medications. However, if taking anticoagulants (such as warfarin), avoid strong acupressure and consult your doctor before proceeding with gentle stimulation.

Q. Can acupressure completely cure asthma?

A. Acupressure is a supplementary management tool. While effective for improving breathing and boosting immunity, complete asthma treatment requires professional medical diagnosis and treatment (medications, breathing exercises, etc.). Acupressure complements such professional care.

Additional Tips to Enhance Effectiveness

1. Preparation Before Acupressure

• Wash your hands and legs with warm water to prepare blood circulation
• Settle into a comfortable position and calm your mind with 3-5 deep breaths
• Ensure the acupressure area remains relaxed, not tense

2. Best Times for Acupressure

• Morning acupressure: Right after waking up, combined with deep breathing starts the day with energy
• Evening acupressure: 30 minutes before bed, combined with diaphragmatic breathing aids better sleep
• Avoid acupressure immediately after meals (within 1 hour) or when excessively fatigued

3. Determining Appropriate Acupressure Intensity

• Appropriate intensity: “Soreness comfort” sensation (酸脹感)
• Weak signal: If intensity is too light, you should feel soreness or itching for effectiveness
• Strong signal: If experiencing pain or bruising, reduce intensity

4. Concurrent Lifestyle Changes

• Hydration: Drinking a cup of warm water after acupressure aids elimination
• Breathing exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing (inhale through the abdomen, slowly exhale) 2-3 times daily for 5 minutes
• Stress management: Stress reduction directly impacts respiratory and skin health
• Regular sleep: Sufficient sleep from 11 PM to 7 AM supports self-recovery of the lungs and skin

Conclusion

If you have both asthma and skin problems, it’s important to simultaneously address the root causes—reduced lung function and insufficient immunity—rather than managing each symptom separately. The above 5 acupoint acupressure methods are validated through long clinical experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The key is consistency. During the first 2 weeks, you’ll experience immediate symptom relief, and after 4-8 weeks you can feel fundamental improvement. There’s no therapy more effective than investing time in your own health.

If self-management is difficult or symptoms are severe, seek personal consultation with an acupuncturist or healthcare professional. Acupressure is an excellent supplementary tool to professional treatment, but cannot completely replace professional diagnosis and guidance.