5 Acupressure Points to Relieve Asthma and Leg Weakness Simultaneously

Why Asthma and Leg Weakness Occur Together

When your breathing becomes unstable while simultaneously experiencing weak legs, these symptoms are not independent. Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnoses this as “whole-body qi and blood deficiency resulting from weakened lung function.”

The lungs are the central organ that absorbs fresh oxygen (qi) through breathing and distributes it throughout the entire body. When lung function declines:

• Immediate symptoms: Breathing becomes shallow, oxygen deficiency increases whole-body fatigue
• Chain reaction symptoms: Insufficient energy supply leads to weakened leg muscle strength, heaviness, and loss of power
• Vicious cycle: Reduced activity → further lung function decline → worsening symptoms repeat

Therefore, by restoring lung function and normalizing whole-body qi and blood circulation, you can alleviate both symptoms simultaneously.

5 Effective Acupoints for Asthma and Leg Weakness

The 5 acupoints below work directly on lung function recovery and improving whole-body qi and blood circulation. I’ve organized each point’s function, pressure intensity, and expected timeline in a table below.

1. Dazhui (GV14) — Fundamentally Strengthens Lung Function

Finding the exact location: When you bend your head forward, you’ll see the most prominent bone at the back of your neck (the 7th cervical vertebra). Dazhui is located in the small depression directly below it.

Why it’s effective for asthma and leg weakness: Dazhui is the most important acupoint for activating lung qi. When lung function is restored, the amount of oxygen and energy supplied to the entire body increases, improving not only breathing but also leg weakness.

Step-by-step acupressure technique:

1. Sit in a comfortable position and bend your neck forward slightly
2. Place your thumbs (one on top of the other) vertically on Dazhui
3. Press down for 5 seconds while slowly exhaling
4. Repeat 3 times; a slightly heavy feeling is the appropriate intensity

Caution: Pressing too hard can create neck tension with the opposite effect. Consistency determines effectiveness.

2. Shanzhong (CV17) — Immediate Stabilization During Asthma Attacks

Finding the exact location: Feel along the breastbone at the center of your chest, and find where the line connecting both nipples intersects at the center—this is Shanzhong.

Why it’s effective for asthma and leg weakness: It harmonizes the qi of the lungs and heart, making breathing deep and stable. When breathing normalizes, oxygen supply to the brain and muscles increases, restoring whole-body vitality.

Step-by-step acupressure technique:

1. Begin lying flat or sitting with your back supported by a chair
2. Place your overlapped thumbs on Shanzhong at the center of your chest
3. Apply vertical pressure toward the chest for 3-5 seconds
4. When you feel a slight refreshing sensation or relief of chest tightness, you’ve found the right spot
5. Repeat 3-5 times daily; press immediately if you feel asthma symptoms coming on

Caution: Pressing too hard can cause chest discomfort, so medium intensity is appropriate.

3. Chize (LU5) — Rapid Respiratory Recovery

Finding the exact location: When your arm is slightly bent, Chize is located at the crease on the inside of your elbow, on the thumb side (outer side). It’s just outside where the tendon runs along the inside of your arm.

Why it’s effective for asthma and leg weakness: Chize is an important point on the lung meridian that directly stimulates respiratory function. It promotes blood circulation to the arms and legs, making it very effective for improving limb weakness.

Step-by-step acupressure technique:

1. Keep your arm naturally bent with the inside of your elbow facing upward
2. Use the thumb of your opposite hand to apply vertical pressure to Chize
3. Press and release for 4-5 seconds; repeat 3 times
4. Alternate both arms, remembering to maintain continuous breathing

Caution: If nerves are sensitive, you may feel tingling throughout your arm, which is a normal response.

4. Quepen (ST12) — Connects Upper and Lower Body Qi and Blood

Finding the exact location: Below the collarbone (clavicle) is a small hollow area. It’s approximately two finger-widths to the outside from the center line of the neck.

Why it’s effective for asthma and leg weakness: Quepen is an acupoint that gathers lung qi, not only relieving breathing difficulty but also connecting qi and blood flow between upper and lower body. It serves as a pathway for energy supply to the legs.

Step-by-step acupressure technique:

1. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your chest open
2. Place your index and middle fingers on Quepen
3. Press gently in circular motions for 30 seconds
4. A light touch is appropriate—you should feel a slight heaviness just below the skin
5. Repeat 2-3 times daily

Caution: There are many nerves and blood vessels below the collarbone, so avoid excessive stimulation.

5. Zhiyang (GV9) — Normalizes Spinal Nervous System

Finding the exact location: When you bend forward at the waist, the vertebrae protrude. Zhiyang is in the small depression directly below the 12th vertebra from the top (the 7th thoracic vertebra).

Why it’s effective for asthma and leg weakness: The thoracic spine is where nerves controlling respiration pass through. Stimulating Zhiyang activates respiratory nerves, and simultaneously normalizes neural transmission through the spinal cord, improving nerve signals to the legs.

Step-by-step acupressure technique:

1. Bend forward slightly at the waist
2. Place your overlapped thumbs on Zhiyang and press for 5 seconds
3. Repeat 3 times
4. Tip: If your fingers can’t reach easily, you can also place a tennis ball below Zhiyang and slowly press your back against it

Caution: Since this is a vertebral area, finding the exact location is important, and be careful not to press the vertebra itself.

Situation-Specific Acupressure Strategies

Rather than pressing all acupoints the same way, tailoring your approach to your symptoms and goals increases effectiveness.

Right Before an Asthma Attack or During Rapid Breathing

Priority order: Shanzhong → Chize → Quepen (3 points only, 2-3 minutes)

• Shanzhong (CV17): Press first to stabilize breathing (effects within minutes)
• Chize (LU5): Directly stimulates the lung meridian to restore respiratory function
• Quepen (ST12): Gathers lung qi for deeper breathing

In emergency situations, pressing Shanzhong alone often stabilizes breathing.

Symptom Prevention and Long-Term Improvement (Daily Routine)

Priority order: Dazhui → Shanzhong → Chize → Zhiyang (4 points, 5 minutes)

• Dazhui (GV14): Fundamentally strengthens lung function (sustained effects, 2 weeks~)
• Zhiyang (GV9): Normalizes spinal nervous system for improved neural transmission
• Shanzhong + Chize: Maintain lung function and respiratory circulation

Breathing improves within a week. After 2 weeks, leg weakness also improves significantly.

When Leg Weakness Is Severe

Additional strategy: Double your acupressure time on spinal acupoints (Dazhui and Zhiyang).

Since nerve signals to the legs travel through the spine, intensive stimulation of Dazhui and Zhiyang accelerates leg recovery. [Learn more: 6 Specialized Acupoints for Leg Weakness]

5-Minute Daily Acupressure Routine (Execution Manual)

Performing this routine daily in the morning or evening will show results within 1-2 weeks.

Execution tips:

• Consistency: Performing at the same time daily increases effectiveness (e.g., 6 AM, 10 PM)
• First 2 weeks: Twice daily (morning/evening) is recommended
• After 2 weeks: Once symptoms improve, once daily is sufficient to maintain results
• Emergency: If asthma symptoms appear, immediately press only Shanzhong and Chize

Additional Methods to Enhance Effectiveness

1. Combined with Breathing Exercises

Deep diaphragmatic breathing during acupressure doubles the effect. Press as you slowly inhale and increase pressure as you exhale for more active qi and blood circulation.

2. Perform in a Warm Environment

Cold temperatures or exposure to wind causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing acupressure effectiveness. Practice in a warm indoor setting.

3. Before or After Light Exercise

Practicing acupressure after a walk or stretching improves blood circulation and absorption rate. Wait 2-3 minutes after intense exercise before proceeding.

4. Regular visits to a TCM practitioner

Self-acupressure has its limits. Monthly visits to a traditional Chinese medicine clinic for acupuncture or moxibustion accelerates results. [Learn more: Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Asthma and Leg Weakness]

When Professional Help Is Needed

Consult a healthcare professional in these cases:

• Breathing shows no improvement after 2+ weeks of acupressure
• Leg weakness continues to worsen
• Sudden chest pain or changes in consciousness occur
• Asthma attacks become more frequent or severe
• You’re taking existing medications and experience side effects after acupressure