🎯 Cold Prevention Self-Acupressure Routine 5 Minutes
- ⏱️ Duration: 5 minutes
- 📍 Number of acupoints: 5
- 🔄 Order: LI4 (Hegu) → LU7 (Lieque) → GV14 (Dazhui) → ST36 (Zusanli) → LI20 (Yingxiang)
- 💡 Benefits: Cold relief and improvement
🙋 Recommended For You If…
- You want to boost your immunity during seasonal changes
- Many people around you have colds
- You have early cold symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing
- You feel chills and a slight feverish sensation
- You feel tired and your immune system seems low
🧘 Before You Begin
- Find a comfortable position. You can sit on a chair or comfortably on the floor.
- Rub your hands together to warm them up. Warm hands stimulate acupoints more effectively.
- Take 3 deep breaths in and out. Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Ready? Let’s get started! 💪
⏱️ Start the 5-Minute Routine!
Spend 1 minute on each acupoint — 5 minutes total. Follow along slowly!
Step 1 — Press LI4 (Hegu) [0:00~1:00]
📍 Location: The webbing between the thumb and index finger
👆 Method: Use the opposite thumb to press firmly into the webbing. A slight aching sensation means you’ve found the right spot.
⏱️ Time: Press firmly for 3–5 seconds → Rest for 3 seconds → Repeat 5 times (about 1 minute)
✨ Effect: Boosts immunity and dispels cold-inducing factors.
Step 2 — Press LU7 (Lieque) [1:00~2:00]
📍 Location: Just above the bony prominence on the thumb side of the wrist
👆 Method: Use the opposite index finger to press just above the bony prominence on the thumb side of the wrist.
⏱️ Time: Press firmly for 3–5 seconds → Rest for 3 seconds → Repeat 5 times (about 1 minute)
✨ Effect: Strengthens lung energy to reduce nasal congestion and coughing.
Step 3 — Press GV14 (Dazhui) [2:00~3:00]
📍 Location: Just below the most prominent bone at the base of the neck (7th cervical vertebra)
👆 Method: Slightly lower your head and press firmly below the prominent bone with your middle finger.
⏱️ Time: Press firmly for 3–5 seconds → Rest for 3 seconds → Repeat 5 times (about 1 minute)
✨ Effect: Raises yang energy to expel cold pathogens and strengthen immunity.
Step 4 — Press ST36 (Zusanli) [3:00~4:00]
📍 Location: 4 finger-widths below the knee, on the outer side
👆 Method: Use your thumb to press firmly on the outer side of the shinbone. A heavy, full sensation means you’ve found the right spot.
⏱️ Time: Press firmly for 3–5 seconds → Rest for 3 seconds → Repeat 5 times (about 1 minute)
✨ Effect: Enhances digestive function to improve overall physical strength and immunity.
Step 5 — Press LI20 (Yingxiang) [4:00~5:00]
📍 Location: On both sides of the nostrils, at the nasolabial groove
👆 Method: Use the index fingers of both hands to press small circles on both sides of the nostrils.
⏱️ Time: Press firmly for 3–5 seconds → Rest for 3 seconds → Repeat 5 times (about 1 minute)
✨ Effect: Opens nasal congestion and stops a runny nose.
🎉 Great job! Routine complete!
Finish with 3 deep breaths. Do you feel lighter?
📋 Quick-Reference Routine Chart
| Step | Acupoint | Location | Time | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LI4 (Hegu) | The webbing between the thumb and index finger | 0:00~1:00 | Boosts immunity and dispels cold-inducing factors. |
| 2 | LU7 (Lieque) | Just above the bony prominence on the thumb side of the wrist | 1:00~2:00 | Strengthens lung energy to reduce nasal congestion and coughing. |
| 3 | GV14 (Dazhui) | Just below the most prominent bone at the base of the neck (7th cervical vertebra) | 2:00~3:00 | Raises yang energy to expel cold pathogens and strengthen immunity. |
| 4 | ST36 (Zusanli) | 4 finger-widths below the knee, on the outer side | 3:00~4:00 | Enhances digestive function to improve overall physical strength and immunity. |
| 5 | LI20 (Yingxiang) | On both sides of the nostrils, at the nasolabial groove | 4:00~5:00 | Opens nasal congestion and stops a runny nose. |
🍯 Tips
- During seasonal changes, doing it once every morning is effective for cold prevention.
- If you notice early cold symptoms, increase to 3 times a day.
- Drinking ginger tea or warm water after acupressure creates a synergistic effect.
- LI20 (next to the nostrils) is great to press frequently whenever your nose gets congested.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I already have a cold — does acupressure help?
A. Yes, doing it in the early stages of a cold (days 1–2) can help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery. However, if you have a high fever, see a doctor first.
Q. Can I do this routine for children?
A. It is suitable for children aged 6 and older. Use about half the pressure of an adult’s and keep each point to 30 seconds.
Q. Does it work for the flu (influenza)?
A. Acupressure alone is not sufficient for the flu. Be sure to visit a medical facility, and use acupressure as a supplementary measure.
Q. Which acupoints should I focus on for a severe runny nose?
A. Intensively stimulating LI20 (next to the nostrils) and LI4 is effective for relieving a runny nose and nasal congestion.
Q. Can I do acupressure and take cold medicine at the same time?
A. Yes, acupressure has no interaction with medication, so it is safe to combine. Use it as a complementary approach.
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