Introduction
When cough and fever appear at the same time, it’s a signal that your body is fighting an infection. These two symptoms are deeply connected, and according to traditional medicine, pressing the correct acupoints is effective for regulating body temperature and calming cough. Before relying on medication, here are five acupoint pressing techniques you can easily try at home.
Five Best Acupoints for Cough and Fever
1. Hegu — LI4
Location: Located in the hollow between the thumb and index finger when your hand is open, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone. It’s the center of the bulging muscle area when you bring your thumb and index finger together.
Effects: As a major acupoint of the Large Intestine meridian, it’s excellent for lowering systemic heat caused by fever. It strengthens immunity, alleviates infection symptoms, and can simultaneously improve headaches and fatigue.
Pressing Method: Use the thumb of your opposite hand to locate Hegu and press firmly for 3-5 seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times. The right amount of pressure—where you feel slight discomfort—is most effective.
2. Quchi — LI11
Location: Located at the outer end of the crease that forms when you fully bend your elbow, on the thumb side. When your arm is bent, it’s at the deepest point of the crease.
Effects: This acupoint is excellent for clearing heat, quickly relieving high fever. It removes lung heat, helping to ease cough, and also relieves arm fatigue and tension.
Pressing Method: Locate Quchi with your thumb and rub it in a circular motion 30 times in a clockwise direction. Alternatively, apply gentle pressure with your thumb, press for 5 seconds, release, and repeat.
3. Dazhui — GV14
Location: When you bend your head forward, the most prominent bone on the back of your neck is the seventh cervical vertebra. Dazhui is located in the hollow directly below this bone.
Effects: An important acupoint for regulating systemic heat, it lowers high fever and relieves chills. It’s excellent for calming cough and strengthening immunity, and also relieves stiffness in the neck area.
Pressing Method: Find the exact location with your fingers and gently press for 3-5 seconds, or better yet, receive meridian massage from someone else. Since it’s difficult to reach the back of your own neck, using your finger knuckles to press is also an effective method.
4. Tanzhong — CV17
Location: Located on the breastbone in the center of the chest, at the midpoint of a horizontal line connecting both nipples. It’s between the 4th and 5th ribs (the 4th intercostal space).
Effects: An acupoint that directly strengthens lung function, it calms cough and improves shortness of breath. It relieves chest tightness and makes breathing deeper and easier. This is the primary acupoint to press when coughing is severe.
Pressing Method: Locate the Tanzhong area with your middle finger and gently press for 3 seconds, then release. Repeat 20 times. Alternatively, gently rub it in a circular motion with your finger knuckles for 3 minutes for better results. Be careful not to press too hard.
5. Lieque — LU7
Location: Located about 1.5 cun (approximately 2cm) above the inner wrist crease, in the hollow above the radial styloid process (the wrist bone on the thumb side). It can be found when your arm is in a natural, relaxed position.
Effects: An important acupoint of the Lung meridian, it’s specialized in suppressing cough. It lowers lung heat, relieves throat itching, and improves all cold symptoms that appear with fever.
Pressing Method: Use your opposite thumb to locate Lieque precisely and press firmly for 3-5 seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times. Press slowly and gently to avoid wrist injury, but apply enough pressure to feel slight discomfort for best results.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Here’s a 5-minute acupoint pressing routine to relieve cough and fever symptoms. It’s best to repeat it 2-3 times a day:
Step 1 (1 minute): Press Hegu on both hands 10 times each. Repeatedly press firmly with your thumb and release.
Step 2 (1 minute): Rub Quchi on both arms 20 times each in circular motions. Massage slowly in a clockwise direction.
Step 3 (1 minute): Press Lieque on both hands 10 times each. Be careful not to strain your wrists when pressing.
Step 4 (1 minute): Press Dazhui 5 times. If alone, use your finger knuckles; if possible, have someone help you press deeper.
Step 5 (1 minute): Finally, gently rub Tanzhong 20 times in circular motions. For best results, massage gently and rhythmically.
By repeating this routine three times daily—morning, afternoon, and evening—cough and fever symptoms can be relieved quickly.
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