Introduction
It’s truly challenging when nursing mothers experience asthma symptoms on top of everything else. Your breathing is shallow, yet your baby needs to be fed, and stress only reduces milk supply further. In traditional Chinese medicine, both symptoms are viewed as a deficiency of qi (氣). Fortunately, by stimulating specific acupoints, you can strengthen lung function while simultaneously promoting milk duct secretion.
5 Acupoints Beneficial for Asthma and Insufficient Breast Milk
1. Dazhui — GV14
Location: In the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra. When you lower your head forward, it’s the hollow area directly below the most prominent bone at the back of your neck.
Effects: It works similarly to Baihui in strengthening immunity and lung function. It reduces asthma attacks, deepens breathing, and boosts qi throughout the body to promote milk production.
How to apply: Use your thumb to firmly press for 3 seconds and release for 3 seconds, repeating this motion. Perform 10 repetitions per session, 3 times daily for best results.
2. Tanzhong — CV17
Location: On the sternum, at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples (4th intercostal space). Place three fingers side by side at the center of your chest to locate this point.
Effects: It is the most important acupoint for harmonizing qi in the lungs and heart. It immediately relieves shortness of breath caused by asthma and calms both mind and body to normalize milk production hormones.
How to apply: Apply gentle circular acupressure for 30 seconds in a rubbing motion. Avoid pressing too hard as it may cause discomfort; stimulate gently until you feel the effect. Perform 2 times daily.
3. Chize — LU5
Location: When the arm is fully extended at 180 degrees, it is above the inner elbow crease, on the lateral side of the biceps tendon (toward the thumb side).
Effects: As the lowest acupoint on the lung meridian, it clears heat from the lungs to relieve asthma. Simultaneously, it regulates lung function to normalize the hormone secretion system, directly supporting milk production.
How to apply: Use the opposite thumb to press for 5 seconds and rest for 2 seconds, repeating this pattern. Perform 10 repetitions on each arm, 2 times daily for best results.
4. Quepen — ST12
Location: From the center of the hollow area above the clavicle, move laterally outward approximately 4 cun (about the width of 3 fingers) away from the midline of the neck.
Effects: This acupoint directly stimulates stomach function and milk gland secretion. It improves digestive function to promote nutrient absorption, which is the foundation for milk production, and eases breathing.
How to apply: Use your index and middle fingers to apply circular acupressure on both sides simultaneously for 20 seconds each. Press to a depth of approximately 1 centimeter with slow, gentle stimulation. Perform 2 times daily.
5. Zhiyang — GV9
Location: In the depression below the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra. When you bend forward, it’s the hollow area directly below the most prominent vertebra (below Dazhui).
Effects: This is an important acupoint that regulates both the digestive and respiratory systems. It supplements the qi deficiency in the lungs and spleen—the root cause of asthma—while simultaneously promoting the blood circulation necessary for milk production.
How to apply: Use your thumb or an acupressure tool to firmly press for 3 seconds and release for 2 seconds, repeating this pattern. Perform 10 repetitions per session, 3 times daily for best results.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Perform this routine every morning after waking or every evening before bed:
① Dazhui (GV14) – 10 repetitions of acupressure (30 seconds) → ② Zhiyang (GV9) – 10 repetitions of acupressure (30 seconds) → ③ Tanzhong (CV17) – gentle rubbing for 30 seconds (30 seconds) → ④ Quepen (ST12) – acupressure on both sides for 20 seconds each (40 seconds) → ⑤ Chize (LU5) – 10 repetitions on each arm (60 seconds). In just 5 minutes, you can manage both asthma and insufficient breast milk simultaneously.
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