5 Acupoints Beneficial for Both Asthma and Fatigue

Introduction

If you suffer from asthma, you experience not just breathing difficulty but also severe fatigue. Insufficient oxygen supply and sleep disruption exhaust your body’s energy, creating a vicious cycle of declining immunity. In traditional Chinese medicine, these symptoms are viewed as a decline in lung function and a deficiency of qi, and it is believed that appropriate acupoint stimulation can simultaneously improve respiratory health and restore physical strength.

5 Acupoints Beneficial for Asthma and Fatigue

1. Leg Three Miles — ST36

Location: 3 cun (approximately 10 cm) below the knee, on the lateral side of the anterior tibia. When you bend your knee, it is located about 3 finger widths below the outer edge of your knee.

Effects: This is the most powerful tonifying acupoint for strengthening the body’s immunity and enhancing energy. It improves respiratory function and digestive function simultaneously, promoting physical recovery. Consistent stimulation reduces the frequency of asthma attacks and speeds up fatigue recovery.

Acupressure technique: Using your thumb or the end of a pen, slowly press while performing press-and-release cycles of 10 seconds each, repeated 10 times. Apply pressure at an intensity where you feel a warm sensation, and it’s most effective to perform this every morning and evening.

2. Three Yin Intersection — SP6

Location: 3 cun (approximately 10 cm) above the inner ankle bone, on the posterior inner surface of the tibia. It is located between the bone and the calf muscle, 3 finger widths above the inner shin bone.

Effects: It simultaneously regulates the function of the spleen, liver, and kidney to improve overall circulation. It corrects body imbalances caused by fatigue and enhances the basic physical fitness necessary for respiratory health. It also improves skin immunity, helping recover the body’s resistance weakened by asthma.

Acupressure technique: Using your thumb, gradually increase pressure while applying acupressure for 30 seconds. Apply to both legs, and pressing in the evening can help improve sleep quality. If you have a menstrual cycle, it’s best to avoid this point for 3 days before your period.

3. Kidney — KI3

Location: In the hollow between the inner ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Find the depression between the bone and tendon on the inner ankle.

Effects: It strengthens kidney function to replenish kidney essence, the body’s fundamental energy source. It improves respiratory function and normalizes internal fluid metabolism, improving both asthma and fatigue. It is particularly effective for relieving chronic fatigue and breathing difficulty caused by kidney essence deficiency.

Acupressure technique: Stimulate with circular rubbing using your thumb, or repeat 3-second press and 1-second release cycles. Performing this 3 times daily for 2 minutes per session helps restore kidney function. Be careful not to expose the area to cold wind.

4. Crown — GV20

Location: At the crown of the head. It is at the intersection where the line connecting the tops of both ears meets the line extending upward from the center of the face. When pressed with your finger, you will feel a slight depression.

Effects: It promotes qi and blood circulation in the head, increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain. It simultaneously improves oxygen deficiency from asthma and the resulting brain fatigue. It excels at restoring mental focus and inducing deep breathing, while also contributing to immune system activation.

Acupressure technique: Use the strength of your finger joints to press vertically, or apply acupressure by gently tapping. Perform for 1-2 minutes per session, 2-3 times daily, but avoid excessive stimulation. Gentle stimulation before bedtime is effective for inducing deep sleep.

5. Dazhui — GV14

Location: In the depression below the most prominent bone when you lower your head (the 7th cervical vertebra). It is the hollow area at the center below the neck.

Effects: It acts as the hub of the immune system and is the most important acupoint for preventing and treating respiratory diseases. It directly strengthens lung function and suppresses asthma attacks. It is particularly effective at improving chronic fatigue and physical decline by enhancing the body’s yang qi.

Acupressure technique: Since it is difficult to access this point yourself, use warm fingers to gently rub it or apply a heat pack. If you can get help from someone else, they can apply gentle pressure for 3-5 minutes per session. It is even more effective when combined with moxibustion therapy.

5-Minute Self-Routine

Golden routine for relieving asthma and fatigue: (1) In a comfortable sitting position, apply acupressure to both Leg Three Miles (ST36) simultaneously for 2 minutes. (2) Stimulate both Three Yin Intersection (SP6) points for 1 minute each to promote circulation. (3) Gently massage both Kidney (KI3) points for 1 minute to activate kidney function. (4) Lightly tap or press the Crown (GV20) point while enhancing cerebral blood flow. (5) Finally, rub the Dazhui (GV14) area with warm hands or apply a heat pack to finish. If you perform this routine every morning and evening, within 1-2 weeks you will notice your breathing becomes easier and your fatigue decreases.