5 Acupoints Effective for Both Asthma and Nasal Congestion

Introduction

When asthma and nasal congestion occur together, breathing becomes difficult and daily life becomes uncomfortable. Especially when symptoms worsen at night, sleep can be disrupted. Traditional Eastern medicine offers various acupoints for improving respiratory symptoms, and proper acupressure can rapidly alleviate symptoms. This article will explain in detail five acupoints that are effective for both asthma and nasal congestion, along with how to use them.

Five Acupoints Good for Asthma and Nasal Congestion

1. Dazhui — GV14

Location: Located below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. When you bend your head forward, it is located in the depression directly below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck.

Benefits: The Dazhui acupoint excels at strengthening lung function and boosting immunity. It is one of the most effective acupoints for alleviating asthma symptoms and improving breathing difficulties caused by nasal congestion. It also helps prevent colds.

Acupressure Technique: Using the joint of your thumb, press the Dazhui acupoint vertically for 5 seconds and release. Repeat this 10 times. You may feel some discomfort during acupressure, but adjust the pressure so it is not too strong. It is good to perform this 2-3 times per day.

2. Shanzhong — CV17

Location: Located on the upper chest, at the midpoint when a horizontal line is drawn connecting both nipples. Anatomically, it is located at the midline of the fourth intercostal space.

Benefits: The Shanzhong acupoint directly stimulates the lung function in the chest, rapidly alleviating asthma symptoms. It relieves chest tightness caused by nasal congestion and makes breathing deeper and more comfortable. It also provides psychological stability and is effective for stress-related asthma.

Acupressure Technique: Stack the middle fingers of both hands and press the Shanzhong acupoint for 3 seconds and release. Repeat 10 times, breathing in rhythm—press while exhaling and release while inhaling. Perform acupressure 3-4 times per day.

3. Yintang — EX-HN3

Location: Between the inner edges of both eyebrows, at the bridge of the nose. You can naturally find it by touching the inner edge of your eyebrows with your finger.

Benefits: The Yintang acupoint enhances cerebral blood flow and expands blood vessels in the nasal passage, directly alleviating nasal congestion. It also improves headaches and dizziness caused by asthma, and helps prevent asthma attacks through its nerve-calming effects.

Acupressure Technique: Using the joints of both thumbs, press the Yintang acupoint vertically. Press for 5 seconds and release for 2 seconds, repeating 15 times. It should not be too strong, but you should feel a dull ache for it to be effective. It is good to perform short acupressure sessions 5-6 times per day.

4. Chize — LU5

Location: Located on the outer side (thumb side) of the crease on the inside of the elbow. It is slightly toward the thumb from the outer end of the elbow crease when the arm is extended. It is located on the lateral side of the biceps tendon.

Benefits: The Chize acupoint is directly connected to the lungs, strengthening lung function and fundamentally improving asthma symptoms. It is particularly effective at reducing heat in the lungs, alleviating coughing due to asthma and nasal congestion. It also helps with allergic rhinitis.

Acupressure Technique: Locate the Chize acupoint with the thumb of the opposite hand and press for 3 seconds and release. Repeat 15 times, slightly shifting the acupressure location each time to stimulate the surrounding area. It is good to perform this twice daily, morning and evening.

5. Juewei — ST12

Location: At the center of the depression above the collarbone, specifically about 4 cun (12 cm) lateral to the anterior midline (center line of the body). It is located further toward the lateral side in the depression above the space between the inner and outer ends of the collarbone.

Benefits: The Juewei acupoint governs the entire upper respiratory tract and is very effective at alleviating both asthma and nasal congestion simultaneously. It particularly improves breathing along with throat discomfort and can also address sore throat and voice problems.

Acupressure Technique: Press both Juewei acupoints simultaneously using the middle or index fingers of both hands. Press for 5 seconds and release, repeating 10 times. Tilting the head slightly back during acupressure allows you to stimulate the acupoint more accurately. Acupressure 3-4 times daily is recommended.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

Step 1 (1 minute): Start with the Yintang acupoint. Pressing the bridge of the nose with both thumbs 10 times for 5 seconds each improves blood flow to the nose and activates brain function.

Step 2 (1 minute): Press both Juewei acupoints simultaneously. Stimulating the upper respiratory tract in the neck makes breathing easier.

Step 3 (1 minute): Alternate pressing both Chize acupoints. Check the crease on the inside of your elbow and precisely stimulate it from the outer side. Lung function is strengthened.

Step 4 (1 minute): Press the Shanzhong acupoint with your fingers. Repeating deep pressing and releasing in rhythm with your breath creates a feeling of your chest opening up.

Step 5 (1 minute): Finally, press the Dazhui acupoint. Press vertically below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck with your thumb and repeat releasing. Following this sequence effectively alleviates symptoms of asthma and nasal congestion.