Introduction
Have you ever experienced persistent cough while simultaneously having thumb pain? In traditional Eastern medicine, these two symptoms are believed to originate from the same meridian, particularly an imbalance in the lung meridian. While cough appears to be a respiratory symptom and thumb pain seems like a localized symptom, weakened lung qi often triggers both symptoms at the same time. In this article, we introduce five acupoints that can relieve both cough and thumb pain together.
Five Acupoints for Cough and Thumb Pain
1. Dachu — GV14
Location: Located in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra at the back of the neck. You can find it directly below the most prominent bone that sticks out when you bow your head.
Benefits: Dachu is an acupoint that regulates yang qi throughout the body, strengthening immunity and supplementing lung qi. It alleviates cough, strengthens the body’s overall energy, and fundamentally improves the weakened lung qi that causes thumb pain.
Pressure Technique: After warming the back of the neck, overlap both thumbs and press vertically on the Dachu acupoint for 30 seconds with gentle, firm pressure. Repeat three times daily—in the morning, afternoon, and evening—for optimal results.
2. Tanzhong — CV17
Location: Located on the breastbone at the center of the chest. It is at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples and corresponds to the fourth intercostal space.
Benefits: Tanzhong is an important acupoint that regulates qi in the chest, unblocking lung qi and promoting smooth breathing. It directly alleviates cough, relieves chest tightness, and eliminates the root cause of thumb pain by strengthening lung function.
Pressure Technique: Sit in a comfortable position and overlap both middle fingers, applying gentle pressure to Tanzhong. Press for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times. Press while breathing slowly for greater effectiveness.
3. Lieque — LU7
Location: Located about 1.5 cun (two finger-widths) above the wrist crease on the inside of the wrist. You can find it above the radial styloid process (the wrist bone on the thumb side).
Benefits: Lieque is a luo-connecting point of the lung meridian with exceptional effectiveness in relieving cough and asthma. It immediately calms cough, normalizes lung qi, and resolves thumb pain and discomfort.
Pressure Technique: Locate Lieque with the opposite thumb and massage in circular motions for 30 seconds. Alternate between both hands and repeat at least twice daily. Press immediately when coughing for symptom relief.
4. Fenglong — ST40
Location: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, approximately 8 cun (four finger-widths) below the lateral condyle of the tibia, moving toward the ankle. It can be found about 2 cun (one thumb-width) lateral to the anterior tibial border.
Benefits: Fenglong is the he-sea point of the stomach meridian that eliminates phlegm (turbid fluid) and expels sputum and phlegm from the respiratory tract. It removes the phlegm causing cough, normalizes lung function, and improves thumb pain.
Pressure Technique: While sitting or lying down, press Fenglong with your thumb with moderate-to-firm pressure. Press for 5 seconds, then release for 5 seconds, and repeat 10 times. Apply once or twice daily, preferably in the evening, for effective nighttime cough relief.
5. Chize — LU5
Location: Located on the inner side of the elbow crease. When the elbow is extended, it is found just lateral to the biceps tendon (between muscle and arm bone) above the elbow crease.
Benefits: Chize is the water point of the lung meridian with direct effectiveness in relieving respiratory symptoms. It quickly improves cough, asthma, shortness of breath, and other lung-related conditions, while strengthening lung qi simultaneously resolves thumb pain.
Pressure Technique: Bend the elbow slightly and massage Chize with the opposite thumb in circular motions for 1 minute. If stronger stimulation is needed, you can use an acupressure tool.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
By stimulating the acupoints in the following sequence for 5 minutes each morning or evening, you can effectively manage cough and thumb pain.
Step 1 (1 minute): Press Dachu (GV14) at the back of the neck with both thumbs for 30 seconds, then press Tanzhong (CV17) on the chest for the remaining 30 seconds.
Step 2 (1 minute 30 seconds): Alternate pressing Lieque (LU7) on both wrists, stimulating each for 45 seconds.
Step 3 (1 minute 30 seconds): Press Fenglong (ST40) on both lower legs in sequence, applying firm pressure for 45 seconds on each.
Step 4 (1 minute): Finish by pressing Chize (LU5) on the inner side of both elbows for 30 seconds each.
Tip: Drinking warm water after acupressure enhances circulation and increases effectiveness. During severe coughing, you can repeat the routine twice daily.
Leave a Reply