Relieve Both Asthma and Arm Numbness Simultaneously with 5 Acupoints
Key Summary: When asthma attacks occur with breathing difficulty and arm numbness, it’s because respiratory muscle tension and nerve compression happen simultaneously. When you stimulate 5 acupoints on the back and arm in the correct sequence, breathing becomes easier within 5 minutes and arm numbness also improves.
Why Asthma and Arm Numbness Occur Together
When an asthma attack makes breathing difficult, the neck, shoulders, and chest naturally become tense.
When this tension continues, the nerves going to the collarbone and arm become compressed, causing numbness.
Therefore, it’s important to ease breathing while simultaneously relieving nerve compression.
5 Acupoints at a Glance Comparison
| Acupoint Name | Primary Effects | Location | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chize (LU5) | Relieves arm numbness and nerve compression | Inner crease of elbow | 1st Priority |
| Dazhui (GV14) | Immediately relieves breathing difficulty | 7th cervical vertebra below neck | 2nd Priority |
| Tianquan (CV17) | Relieves chest tightness | Center of chest between nipples | 2nd Priority |
| Juebin (ST12) | Improves blood circulation in neck, shoulders, and arms | Beside collarbone below neck | 3rd Priority |
| Zhiyang (GV9) | Improves and prevents chronic symptoms | Below 7th thoracic vertebra at center of back | 4th Priority |
Exact Location and Pressure Technique for Each Acupoint
1. Chize (LU5) — Most Quickly Relieves Arm Numbness
How to locate:
- With your elbow bent at 90 degrees, trace the inner crease of your arm with your fingers.
- On the outer side of the tendon of the biceps muscle, there’s a small indentation—this is Chize.
- Pressing this area will produce a slight tender sensation, confirming the correct location.
Effects: As the main point of the Lung meridian, it directly relieves nerve compression that causes arm numbness. It improves qi circulation throughout the entire arm, reducing numbness and pain within minutes.
Pressure technique: Press deeply with your thumb for 3-5 seconds and release. Apply 10-15 repetitions on both arms, and repeat 3-4 times daily when experiencing asthma symptoms.
Real experience: When arm numbness is severe, pressing Chize for just 30 seconds can reduce the numb sensation. Stimulating this acupoint first at the onset of an asthma attack is most effective.
2. Dazhui (GV14) — Immediately Relieves Breathing Difficulty
How to locate:
- Tilt your head forward; the most prominent bone at the back of your neck is the 7th cervical vertebra.
- The depression directly below this bone is Dazhui.
- Pressing with your finger will produce a tender sensation.
Effects: This is a representative respiratory acupoint that strengthens lung function and improves breathing. It quickly relieves breathing difficulty during asthma attacks and promotes qi circulation throughout the upper body, releasing rigidity in the shoulders and arms.
Pressure technique: Press vertically downward with your thumb. Repeat 10 times of 3-second pressure followed by 3-second rest.
Precautions: Since this is a sensitive area on the spine, start gently and gradually increase pressure. Pressing too hard can cause discomfort.
3. Tianquan (CV17) — Relieves Chest Tightness
How to locate:
- Draw an imaginary horizontal line connecting both nipples.
- The midpoint of this line is Tianquan (at the 4th intercostal space where it meets the sternum).
- Pressing this area will feel slightly indented.
Effects: This is an important acupoint that regulates the qi of the lungs and heart. During an asthma attack, it quickly relieves chest tightness, and as breathing deepens, the tension in the shoulders and arms naturally eases.
Pressure technique: Since the chest is sensitive, gently massage in circular motions with your middle and ring fingers. Once daily for 10-15 repetitions, 2-3 times a day is sufficient.
Tip: It’s best to apply this at least 1 hour after eating. Massage after bathing when the chest is warm for better effects.
4. Juebin (ST12) — Improves Blood Circulation in Neck, Shoulders, and Arms
How to locate:
- Find the depression above the collarbone below the neck.
- It’s located approximately 4 cun (about 4 finger widths) outward from the center.
- Move your neck back and forth to feel the collarbone’s movement.
Effects: This acupoint is located on the pathway that distributes lung qi throughout the body. It deepens breathing, relieves thoracic tightness, and is positioned where nerves and blood vessels connecting the collarbone and arm pass through, making it excellent for relieving arm numbness.
Pressure technique: Since the collarbone is sensitive, apply gentle pressure with your middle finger. Press downward, repeating 10 times of 3-second pressure followed by 2-second rest.
Real experience: When neck and shoulder tension occurs, pressing this acupoint provides immediate relief sensation.
5. Zhiyang (GV9) — Improves Chronic Symptoms and Prevents Recurrence
How to locate:
- Trace down the spine along the center of your back with your fingers.
- The depression below the 7th thoracic vertebra’s spinous process, further down than Dazhui (GV14), is Zhiyang.
- Pressing slightly to the side will produce a tender sensation.
Effects: By harmonizing the qi of the lungs and kidneys, it strengthens immune function in chronic asthma. It improves qi circulation throughout the upper body, simultaneously relieving breathing difficulty and arm numbness. Sustained pressure over time can significantly reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.
Pressure technique: Press firmly with your thumb from top to bottom and massage in circular motions. Apply slow stimulation for about 2 minutes, 1-2 times daily is sufficient.
Optimal timing: Effects are better when applied after bathing when warm.
Pressure Sequence and Method by Situation
When in a Rush (Immediately After Asthma Attack)
Sequence: Chize (1 minute) → Dazhui (1 minute) → Tianquan (1 minute)
Reason: Focus on quickly relieving nerve compression and normalizing breathing. Acute symptoms can be sufficiently relieved with just these 3 acupoints.
Expected time for effects: Breathing becomes easier within 2-3 minutes.
Daily Maintenance (Daily Routine)
- Chize (LU5) — 30 seconds on each arm (1 minute total)
- Juebin (ST12) — 30 seconds on each side (1 minute total)
- Tianquan (CV17) — Circular massage for 1 minute
- Dazhui (GV14) — Vertical pressure for 30 seconds
- Zhiyang (GV9) — Slow massage for 2 minutes
Total time required: Approximately 5 minutes 30 seconds
Optimal timing: Once in the morning after waking and once before bed (2 times daily)
Effects: After about 2 weeks of continuation, the frequency of asthma attacks and arm numbness becomes noticeably reduced.
Chronic Symptom Improvement (3 Months or More)
Additional notes: Enhance the Zhiyang (GV9) acupoint in addition to the daily routine above.
Zhiyang enhancement method: In the evening, slowly massage Zhiyang for 3-5 minutes. Applying this after bathing when warm is more effective for harmonizing the qi of the lungs and kidneys to improve chronic asthma.
Precaution: Rather than expecting quick results, consistency is important. After continuing for 3 months or more, you may experience improvements significant enough to reduce medication dosage.
Tips to Enhance Effects
Combined with Heat Therapy
Applying pressure after using a warm pack or bathing relaxes blood vessels and improves qi circulation. This is especially effective during winter or when the body is stiff.
Consistent Timing
Applying pressure at the same time daily allows your body to recognize the rhythm, enhancing effects. It’s good to set a specific time, such as 7 AM and 7 PM.
Appropriate Pressure
Tenderness at the acupoint signals you’ve found the right spot. Start gently and gradually increase pressure, but avoid extreme pain. A “good tender sensation” is most effective.
Water Intake
Drinking sufficient water after acupoint pressure promotes qi circulation for better effects.
When Medical Consultation is Necessary
- When taking asthma medication (consult with doctor before proceeding)
- When pain persists for more than 3 days after acupoint pressure
- When experiencing asthma symptoms for the first time (need diagnosis to identify cause)
- Over damaged skin (wounds, inflammation)
- During pregnancy (requires medical guidance)
Medical Disclaimer: Acupoint pressure is a supplementary therapy. Since asthma is a chronic disease, continue taking prescribed medication from your doctor while using acupoint pressure as a supplementary method. Any changes to medication discontinuation or dosage adjustments must be done in consultation with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for effects to appear?
Acute symptoms (attacks): Breathing becomes easier within 2-3 minutes.
Repeated symptoms: Continuing for 1-2 weeks reduces attack frequency.
Chronic improvement: Continuing for 3 months or more can result in improvements significant enough to consider reducing medication.
What if pain is severe during pressure?
This is normal at first. Strong tenderness at an acupoint is evidence that qi circulation is blocked at that location. Start gently and gradually increase pressure, but warm the area first with bathing or a warm pack to reduce pain.
Should I apply pressure on both arms as well?
Yes, it’s good to apply pressure on Chize (LU5) on both arms. Since the Lung meridian is distributed to both arms, stimulating both sides more evenly improves qi circulation.
Is it safe to use together with medication therapy?
Yes, they are complementary. Continue taking prescribed medication from your doctor while using acupoint pressure as a supplementary therapy—this can enhance medication effects and accelerate symptom relief. However, medication discontinuation or dosage adjustments must always be done in consultation with your doctor.
How many minutes should I apply pressure to each acupoint?
Per acupoint: 1-3 minutes is appropriate.
Total time: Applying pressure to all 5 acupoints 2 times daily for a total of 5-10 minutes is sufficient.
Precaution: Applying pressure too long can irritate the skin, so it’s best not to exceed the designated time.
Understanding from Traditional Chinese Medicine: From a TCM perspective, asthma and arm numbness are explained as “weakened lung function” and “insufficient qi circulation.” When asthma attacks cause respiratory muscles to tense, it characteristically leads to consecutive nerve compression in the shoulders and arms. Therefore, stimulating acupoints that strengthen lung function and improve qi circulation simultaneously improves both symptoms.
Next Steps: Learn More
If acupoint pressure alone isn’t sufficient, consider the following:
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