Who Should Read This Article
If you’ve ever experienced asthma attacks and abdominal pain at the same time, this article will help you. The combination of rapid breathing and stomach pain tenses your entire body and worsens both symptoms. If you need a self-care method you can use right now before visiting a pharmacy or hospital, try this 5-point acupressure technique.
Why Asthma and Abdominal Pain Occur Together
When breathing weakens, the organs in the abdomen also fail to function properly. Conversely, tension from abdominal pain causes shallow breathing and worsens asthma symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine views these two symptoms as interconnected and uses specific combinations of acupoints that regulate both respiratory (lung) and digestive (intestinal) qi flow to relieve both simultaneously.
5 Acupoints for Relieving Asthma and Abdominal Pain
1️⃣ Dachu (GV14) – Where All Yang Meridians Meet
Key Effect: Strengthens breathing function, boosts immunity, restores whole-body vitality
Location: On the back of the neck, directly below the 7th cervical vertebra spinous process in a small indentation. When you bend your head forward, you’ll see the most prominent bone at the back of your neck—Dachu point is in the hollow just below that bone.
Why It Works: Dachu is the hub of respiratory function while also governing overall body vitality. It restores weakened breathing function from asthma while boosting physical strength depleted by abdominal pain.
Acupressure Method:
- Use a knuckle or the edge of a coin
- Slowly rub the Dachu area up and down 20–30 times
- The effect is enhanced when you take deep breaths while stimulating the point
- Practice 2–3 times daily for 2–3 minutes per session
2️⃣ Zhongwan (CV17) – The Chest-Opening Acupoint
Key Effect: Directly relieves breathing difficulty, resolves chest tightness, improves whole-body qi circulation
Location: At the center of the line connecting both nipples, on the sternum at the level of the 4th intercostal space. You’ll feel a slight depression when pressing with your finger.
Why It Works: Directly governs the lungs and heart while improving qi circulation from the chest to the abdomen, simultaneously relieving abdominal pain.
Acupressure Method:
- Place the tip of your thumb perpendicular to the Zhongwan point
- Slowly press for 3–5 seconds, release, and repeat 20 times
- Breathing deeply while practicing accelerates breathing improvement
- Practice 3–4 times daily
3️⃣ Qihai (CV6) – The Center of Abdominal Vital Energy
Key Effect: Restores abdominal vitality, activates digestive function, relieves abdominal pain
Location: On the midline approximately 1.5 cun (about 4.5 cm) below the navel. Using the navel as a reference, Qihai is about 2 finger-widths below.
Why It Works: This point stores the body’s vital energy (qi) and directly activates abdominal digestive function while restoring weakened breathing function.
Acupressure Method:
- Find the Qihai point with a warm finger
- Slowly press with the tip of your thumb
- Massage in clockwise circles as if drawing small circles
- Stimulate thoroughly for 1–2 minutes per session (it’s effective when you feel warmth spreading through the abdomen)
- Practice twice daily, morning and evening
4️⃣ Tianshu (ST25) – The Key Digestive Acupoint
Key Effect: Activates intestinal movement, directly relieves abdominal pain, promotes gas expulsion from the abdomen
Location: Approximately 2 cun (about 6 cm) laterally from the navel on both sides. Drawing a horizontal line from the navel, Tianshu is about 3 finger-widths away to the left and right.
Why It Works: Directly governs the digestive system and improves qi circulation between the respiratory and digestive systems, helping relieve asthma.
Acupressure Method:
- Simultaneously press both Tianshu points with your thumbs
- Press for 3–5 seconds, then slowly massage in circles
- Repeat about 20 times (you can stimulate more if abdominal pain is severe)
- Practice 3 times daily, preferably 1 hour after meals for best results
5️⃣ Chize (LU5) – The Acupoint Directly Connected to the Lungs
Key Effect: Expands airways, improves breathing, relieves upper digestive system spasms
Location: When your arm is bent, it’s located on the thumb side of the inner crease of the elbow. Moving your finger along the elbow crease toward the outside, Chize is the point that aligns perfectly with this line.
Why It Works: As a meridian point directly connected to the lungs, it provides the most immediate relief for asthma symptoms and also alleviates esophageal and gastric spasms.
Acupressure Method:
- Find the Chize point with your opposite thumb
- Slowly take deep breaths and repeat pressing for 3–5 seconds, then releasing
- Repeat about 30 times (you can stimulate more frequently during asthma attacks)
- Practice the same method on both arms
Acupoint Effectiveness Comparison Chart
| Acupoint | Asthma Effect | Abdominal Pain Effect | Difficulty Finding Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dachu (GV14) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Very Easy |
| Zhongwan (CV17) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Easy |
| Qihai (CV6) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Easy |
| Tianshu (ST25) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Easy |
| Chize (LU5) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate |
Acupressure Guidance by Situation
When asthma attacks suddenly become severe: Prioritize stimulation in this order: Chize (LU5) → Dachu (GV14) → Zhongwan (CV17). Expanding the airways first is essential to normalize breathing.
When abdominal pain is the primary symptom: Focus on stimulating in this order: Qihai (CV6) → Tianshu (ST25). It’s important to restore digestive function first.
When both symptoms are at similar levels: Start with Zhongwan (CV17) and then stimulate all 5 acupoints in sequence. Opening the qi in the chest improves both breathing and digestion together.
5-Minute Emergency Relief Routine
This is a quick emergency routine you can perform in 5 minutes when asthma and abdominal pain occur simultaneously.
- Preparation (30 seconds)
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and slowly take 5 deep breaths in and out. - Dachu Acupressure (1 minute)
Rub the Dachu point on the back of your neck up and down 30 times with your knuckle. - Zhongwan Acupressure (1 minute)
Repeat pressing and releasing the Zhongwan point in the center of your chest with your thumb for 3–5 seconds each, 20 times total. - Abdominal Acupressure (1 minute 30 seconds)
Massage the Qihai point below your navel for 1 minute, then massage both Tianshu points left and right in clockwise circles for 30 seconds. - Chize Acupressure (1 minute)
Repeat pressing and releasing the Chize point on the inner crease of both elbows for 3–5 seconds each, 30 times total.
Cautions and Limitations
If symptoms don’t improve within 5–10 minutes of acupressure: Visit a hospital immediately or call emergency services. Asthma can become an emergency situation, and professional medical evaluation is essential.
Avoid acupressure in these situations: Suspected rib fractures, severe abdominal pain following trauma, abdominal pain accompanied by high fever, pregnancy.
Limitations of acupressure: Self-acupressure helps relieve symptoms but is not a cure. If symptoms repeat, seek evaluation from a licensed acupuncturist or physician.
Other Acupoints Helpful for Respiratory Symptoms
Besides asthma, if you have chronic cough, wheezing, or breathing difficulty, all 5 acupoints in this article can help. In particular, Dachu (GV14) and Chize (LU5) are foundational acupoints for all lung conditions. Learn more in our guide to acupoints by respiratory symptoms.
Other Acupoints When Digestive Problems Are Present
If abdominal pain is the primary symptom or you have chronic digestive issues, stimulating other digestive acupoints in addition to Qihai and Tianshu in this article can enhance effectiveness. Read our guide to acupoint combinations for digestive disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to stimulate all 5 acupoints at once?
A. In an emergency, it’s good to stimulate all 5 points as shown in the 5-minute routine in this article. However, in daily practice, you can prioritize the area with more severe symptoms (focus on Chize if breathing difficulty is severe, or focus on Tianshu if abdominal pain is severe).
Q. What’s the right amount of pressure for acupressure?
A. A “soreness that feels good” (known in medical terms as “soreness and distension sensation”) is appropriate. Too light and it’s ineffective; too hard and it can cause tissue damage. Pressure control is especially important on the abdomen since it contains organs.
Q. If I don’t feel warmth after acupressure, does that mean it’s not working?
A. Feeling warmth indicates improved blood circulation, but lack of warmth doesn’t mean it’s ineffective. Individual sensitivity and physical condition vary, so as long as you stimulate the correct location for sufficient time, the effect will occur.
Q. Can children use this acupressure method?
A. The basic method is the same, but use lighter pressure. Children’s skin is sensitive, so start with a lighter massage lasting 1–2 minutes rather than 2–3 minutes. For children 3 years old and younger, it’s safer to consult a physician first.
Q. Are there other methods that work well with acupressure?
A. Combining acupressure with deep abdominal breathing is even more effective. Repeat slowly inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth 5–10 times—this relaxes your body and enhances the acupressure effect. Drinking warm water also helps relax the digestive system.
Conclusion
When asthma and abdominal pain occur simultaneously, the two symptoms tend to create a vicious cycle. However, correctly stimulating these 5 acupoints can simultaneously restore both breathing and digestion for rapid relief.
Most importantly, when symptoms are severe, don’t hesitate to seek professional medical evaluation. Self-acupressure is a supplementary tool only and cannot completely replace medical diagnosis and treatment from healthcare professionals.
If this article’s method has been helpful, also check out our guide to other acupoint combinations that regulate both respiratory and digestive function.
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