5 Acupoints Beneficial for Both Asthma and Anger Simultaneously

Introduction

Have you ever experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath from asthma alongside sudden waves of anger? In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these two symptoms are closely connected. Anger damages the liver’s qi, making your breathing shallow and irregular, which creates a vicious cycle that worsens asthma. Fortunately, stimulating specific acupoints can stabilize your breathing and calm anger.

Five Acupoints for Asthma and Anger

1. Taichong — LR3

Location: On the top of the foot, in the depression between the big toe and second toe, just before the metatarsal joint. It’s located just in front of the prominent bone on the top of the foot.

Benefits: Promotes the flow of liver qi to relieve anger and stress while stabilizing breathing. Particularly effective at simultaneously improving chest tightness and emotional instability.

Technique: Press the depression on the top of your foot with your thumb slowly for 10 seconds, then rest for 2 seconds. Repeat this cycle. Apply to each foot for 1 minute. The point should feel tender for effectiveness.

2. Dazhui — GV14

Location: Below the most prominent bone at the base of your neck (the seventh cervical vertebra) when you bend your neck forward. You can feel it by running your fingers down your spine.

Benefits: Strengthens immunity and improves respiratory function. Relieves breathing difficulties from asthma and replenishes the body’s yang qi to eliminate fatigue from anger.

Technique: Lie on your back with your neck tilted downward. Have another person or use a neck massager to gently press for 3-5 seconds at a time. If doing this alone, you can apply a heat patch or use a warm towel compress, which is equally effective.

3. Shanzhong — CV17

Location: At the center of your breastbone, at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples (the fourth intercostal space). It’s the depression in the center of your chest.

Benefits: Creates deeper, more stable breathing and immediately relieves chest tightness and breathing difficulty. Harmonizes the qi of the heart and lungs to improve both asthma symptoms and chest discomfort from anger.

Technique: Sit in a comfortable position. Overlap your index and middle fingers and press vertically on Shanzhong 10 times. Rest for 1 minute, then repeat for 3 sets. Don’t press too hard. The technique is even more effective if you practice deep breathing while performing it.

4. Shenmen — HT7

Location: On the inner wrist crease toward the side of your pinky finger, in the depression on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. It’s the depression you feel when you bend your wrist.

Benefits: Calms the mind and spirit to settle anger and anxiety. Improves sleep and stabilizes the heart’s qi to relieve the anxiety caused by asthma. Normalizes increased heart rate from anger.

Technique: Use your thumb to gently press the depression on the inner wrist for 5-10 seconds, then rest for 2 seconds. Repeat this cycle. Apply to each wrist for 1 minute, moving slowly and gently. Pressing this point before sleep can also improve sleep quality.

5. Yanglingquan — GB34

Location: On the outer side of your leg, just below and in front of the head of the fibula (small shin bone). It’s just below the prominent bone you feel in front of your knee when you cross your legs.

Benefits: Promotes the flow of liver and gallbladder qi to relieve anger and stress while improving respiratory function. Releases the liver’s qi stagnation—the root cause of asthma—while relaxing the tension from anger.

Technique: Sit with your leg extended. Place your thumb vertically on Yanglingquan and press for 10 seconds, then rest for 2 seconds. Repeat this cycle. Stimulate each leg for 1 minute. The point should feel tender and slightly achy for effectiveness.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

This emergency routine is for when you experience asthma and anger together.

Step 1 (1 minute): Perform 5 slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds and exhale through your mouth for 6 seconds.

Step 2 (1 minute): Press Shenmen on both wrists for 30 seconds each. Highly effective for immediately calming anger.

Step 3 (1 minute): Stimulate Taichong on both feet for 30 seconds each. Releases liver qi to stabilize breathing.

Step 4 (1 minute): Gently press Shanzhong 10 times, then place your hands on your chest and perform 5 deep breaths.

Step 5 (1 minute): Press Yanglingquan below both knees for 30 seconds each to complete the routine.

Perform this routine every morning and evening, or whenever asthma symptoms appear.