5 Acupressure Points That Improve Asthma and Depression Simultaneously: Breath Stability & Mental Calm

Why Asthma and Depression Appear Together: The Body-Mind Vicious Cycle

The frustration of not breathing properly deepens anxiety. That anxiety then tightens muscles and makes breathing even shallower—a vicious cycle repeats. More than 50% of asthma patients experience accompanying depression or anxiety disorders for this very reason.

In traditional Korean medicine, these two symptoms share the same root cause: ‘disrupted circulation of Qi (氣).’ By regularly stimulating acupressure points that deepen breathing while stabilizing both body and mind, you can simultaneously restore balance to your physical and mental health.

Comparison of 5 Effective Acupressure Points for Asthma and Depression

Understand each acupoint’s main role at a glance. The table below summarizes location, primary effects, and related symptoms.

Quick Selection Tip: If immediate breathing improvement is needed, stimulate Dazhui + Shanzhong first; if emotional stability is the priority, stimulate Taichong + Shenmen first.

Detailed Explanation and Pressing Technique for Each Acupoint

1. Taichong (LR3): The ‘Stress Release Valve’ of the Liver Meridian

Precision in locating is essential. With your foot extended, trace upward along the base of your first and second toes to where the bones meet. The small depression just in front of that intersection (toward the toes) is Taichong.

Effects: Stimulating the liver meridian relieves muscles tightened by stress. As nervous tension releases, deep diaphragmatic breathing becomes possible, and mood changes from depression stabilize.

Real Experience: Many people report that after stimulating Taichong for 3-5 minutes, shoulder tension releases and breathing becomes easier. It’s particularly effective when anxiety causes your chest to feel heavy.

Pressing Technique:

1. Use your opposite thumb to locate Taichong.
2. Press slowly, maintaining a ‘pleasantly aching’ level of pressure for 3-5 seconds.
3. Slowly release and rest for 5 seconds, then repeat.
4. Stimulate both feet for 1 minute each, 2-3 times daily.

Caution: Pressing too hard can damage tissue. The appropriate level is ‘stimulation sensation’ rather than pain.

2. Baihui (GV20): The ‘Central Crown’ That Awakens Brain Function

Location: The exact center of the crown of your head. It’s where the line connecting the highest points of both ears meets the midline that runs from your face backward.

Finding Tip: Place two fingers on the highest point above each ear and slowly raise them. Where they meet at the top of your head is the point.

Effects: Promotes blood circulation to the brain, improving concentration loss and memory decline caused by depression. Simultaneously stimulates lung function, deepening your breathing.

Self-Treatment Case: After sitting for long periods, many people report that stimulating Baihui clears their mind and deepens their breathing within minutes.

Pressing Technique:

1. Sit comfortably and place your middle fingers on Baihui.
2. Press vertically with slight pressure for 5 seconds.
3. Slowly release and rest for 3 seconds, then repeat.
4. Stimulate about 10-12 times per minute, 2 times daily.

Tip: If you have long nails, you can also tap gently using the rounded knuckle of your finger.

3. Dazhui (GV14): The ‘Protective Barrier’ of Respiratory Health

Location: When you bend your head forward, the most prominent bone at the junction of the neck and upper back appears. It’s the small depression directly below that bone (the 7th cervical vertebra).

Finding It: Trace down the back of your neck with your finger until you feel the most prominent bone, then Dazhui is right below it.

Effects: Dazhui is the acupoint that activates your entire immune system. It rapidly alleviates breathing difficulties from asthma and strengthens the lungs’ defensive capacity. It also replenishes the body’s vital energy, relieving the lethargy caused by depression.

Immediate Effect: When breathing difficulty is severe, many people report that stimulating Dazhui and Shanzhong together eases breathing within 1-2 minutes.

Pressing Technique:

1. Locate Dazhui with your finger (thumb or middle finger).
2. Apply slight vertical pressure while massaging in circles.
3. Or you can stimulate by gently tapping with your knuckle.
4. Continue for 1-2 minutes, stimulating 2 times daily.

Caution: Be careful not to press directly on the spine. The correct method is to stimulate the small depressions on either side of the spine.

4. Shanzhong (CV17): The ‘Control Center’ of Heart and Lung Function

Location: The center of the chest. It’s the midpoint of the line connecting the centers of both breasts (nipple level), located on the breastbone (sternum). Specifically, it’s at the height of the 4th intercostal space.

Finding It: Place your index and middle fingers side by side on the center of your chest and move downward, feeling for a small depression between the ribs.

Effects: The most important acupoint that simultaneously regulates both the heart and lungs. It rapidly alleviates acute breathing difficulty from asthma attacks and relieves the tightness and chest pain caused by anxiety.

Role in Emergency Situations: When breathing difficulty is severe, stimulating Shanzhong tends to stabilize heart rate, with breathing naturally becoming deeper as well.

Pressing Technique:

1. Locate the Shanzhong point with your finger knuckle.
2. Gently tap it or press lightly with your palm—not too firmly.
3. Massage slowly in circles.
4. Continue for 1-2 minutes, stimulating 2-3 times daily.

Safety Note: Pressing your chest too hard can stress your ribs. Keep to a ‘gentle stimulation’ level.

5. Shenmen (HT7): The ‘Emergency Prescription’ for Mind-Body Calm

Location: On the inner wrist crease line. When your hand is open, it’s the small depression on the inner wrist (pinky side) just inside the thick tendon (flexor carpi ulnaris tendon), toward the thumb.

Finding It: Follow the inner wrist crease from the pinky side toward the thumb side, and you’ll find a small depression. That’s Shenmen.

Effects: An acupoint that rapidly alleviates anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. It releases nervous tension and enables natural deep breathing, and when psychological stability returns, asthma symptoms improve together.

Real Experience Cases: Many people experience their heart rate slowing and breathing deepening within minutes when they stimulate Shenmen while feeling anxious and breathless. It’s particularly effective when anxiety is strong before bedtime.

Pressing Technique:

1. Use your opposite thumb to locate Shenmen.
2. Press gently while massaging in small circles.
3. Stimulate each wrist for 1 minute, alternating between both wrists.
4. Stimulate 2-3 times daily, especially 1 hour before bed for best results.

Tip: Shenmen requires the gentlest touch. ‘Soft circular massage’ is more effective than ‘gentle tapping.’

Acupoint Combinations by Symptom: Pressing Order for Your Situation

Even the same 5 acupoints produce different effects depending on the combination and order. Identify which symptoms you tend toward and follow the combination below.

When Breathing Difficulty is the Primary Symptom

Priority Order: Dazhui → Shanzhong → Taichong

Since breathing difficulty needs immediate relief, start with Dazhui and Shanzhong, which directly stimulate lung function. Follow with Taichong to release stress, and both deepened breathing and body relaxation occur simultaneously.

When Depression and Anxiety are the Primary Symptoms

Priority Order: Shenmen → Taichong → Baihui

Since emotional stability is the priority, first stimulate Shenmen and Taichong to calm the mind and body. As anxiety subsides, breathing naturally becomes deeper. Finishing with Baihui further strengthens mental stability.

When Both Breathing and Emotions Are Important (Balanced Approach)

Priority Order: Taichong → Shanzhong → Shenmen → Baihui → Dazhui

This order follows the flow of Qi from the lower body to the upper body and then to the crown. It balances your entire body-mind system and takes about 5 minutes.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine: Step-by-Step Instructions

A routine that can be effectively practiced in a busy lifestyle. Invest just 5 minutes anytime—morning, evening, or when feeling anxious.

Preparation Phase (30 seconds)

1. Sit or lie in a comfortable position and close your eyes.
2. Slowly inhale through your nose over 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, then exhale through your mouth over 4 seconds.
3. Repeat 5 times. (Goal: Release body tension)

Stage 1: Taichong Stimulation (1 minute)

1. Locate Taichong between your toes.
2. Gently press with your opposite thumb, holding for 3 seconds, then release—repeat this pattern.
3. Stimulate both feet with equal intensity.
4. Time goal: About 1 minute total for both feet.

Stage 2: Simultaneous Dazhui + Shanzhong Stimulation (1 minute 30 seconds)

1. Place one hand behind your back to locate Dazhui, and place your other hand on your chest to locate Shanzhong.
2. Move both hands together, either tapping gently or massaging in circles.
3. Proceeding with rhythm, you can feel the Qi flowing throughout your body.
4. Focus on breathing and maintain deep breaths.

Stage 3: Baihui Stimulation (1 minute)

1. Place your middle fingers on Baihui at the crown of your head.
2. Press for 5 seconds with slight pressure, then slowly release.
3. Rest for 3 seconds, then repeat.
4. During this stage, bring mindful awareness to calm and organize your thoughts.

Stage 4: Shenmen Stimulation (1 minute)

1. Alternate stimulating both wrists.
2. Locate Shenmen with your opposite thumb, then massage gently in circles.
3. Spend 30 seconds on each wrist, 1 minute total.
4. Notice your breathing deepen and your mind becoming calmer.

Closing Phase (30 seconds)

1. Slowly open your eyes.
2. Stretch your entire body by extending both arms upward.
3. Take one more deep breath and close the session.

Recommended Timing: 30 minutes after waking in the morning or 1 hour before bed in the evening. Practicing 2 times daily produces the most noticeable effects.

Precautions and Limitations When Pressing Acupoints

Tips to Enhance Effectiveness

• Consistency: You need about a week of daily practice to notice changes. Missing even one day can reset the effects.
• Timing: Stimulation before bed is most effective. Acupoint stimulation works more deeply when your nervous system is already in a relaxed state.
• Pressure Level: ‘Pleasantly aching’ is appropriate. Excessive pressure can actually increase tension.
• Breathing: Don’t hold your breath during stimulation. Slow, deep breathing amplifies the effects.

When Professional Medical Consultation is Needed

There are situations where acupressure alone cannot provide relief. Consult with healthcare professionals (acupuncturist, pulmonologist, or psychiatrist) in these cases:

• When asthma attacks worsen progressively or breathing difficulty is so severe it disrupts daily life
• When suicidal thoughts or severe depression make daily functioning impossible
• When symptoms show no improvement after 1 month of regular acupoint stimulation
• When taking medications (to check for interactions)

Scientific Evidence for Acupoint Stimulation

Acupoints in traditional Korean medicine are nerve-blood vessel cluster points. Modern neuroscience explains that acupoint stimulation activates the nervous system, promoting hormone secretion (endorphins, serotonin). However, individual responses vary significantly, and not everyone experiences the same effects.

Additional Learning and Related Information

These 5 basic acupoints are sufficient, but if you want more in-depth self-treatment, we recommend:

[Related Article] To learn more respiratory-improving acupoints, visit 8 Effective Acupoints for Asthma and Breathing Difficulty to discover acupoints specialized for lung function strengthening.

[Related Article] For methods intensively targeting depression and anxiety relief, see 6 Effective Acupoints for Depression and Meditation Combination Techniques.

[Related Article] For a comprehensive perspective on stress management, refer to Traditional Korean Medicine Lifestyle Management for Stress-Related Diseases.

Final Summary: How to Treat Asthma and Depression Together

Breathing and emotions are not separate issues. Stabilize one, and the other improves alongside it. Taichong, Baihui, Dazhui, Shanzhong, and Shenmen—these 5 acupoints are tools that put this principle into actual practice.

A small 5-minute daily routine can transform both your body and mind. What matters most is ‘consistency.’ If you practice without skipping even one day, you’ll notice within a week that your breathing becomes easier and your anxiety decreases.