5 Acupoints That Help Both Asthma and Facial Pain at the Same Time

Why Do Asthma and Facial Pain Appear Together?

It’s common for breathing difficulties caused by asthma and facial pain to occur at the same time. Although they seem unrelated on the surface, Traditional Chinese Medicine views both symptoms as deeply connected.

The Core Cause: Weakened lung function leads to poor qi and blood circulation. When breathing becomes shallow, oxygen supply to blood vessels near the face also worsens, which is why facial pain occurs alongside asthma.

Therefore, by stimulating acupoints that improve respiratory function while simultaneously promoting blood circulation in the face, you can manage both symptoms together.

Comparison of 5 Effective Acupoints for Asthma and Facial Pain

Exact Location and Acupressure Technique for Each Acupoint

1. Hegu (LI4) — Immediate Relief of Facial Pain

Benefits: As a key acupoint on the Large Intestine Meridian, it provides the fastest relief for facial pain. It also helps stabilize breathing during an asthma attack.

Finding the Exact Location:

1. Open your hand and spread your thumb and index finger apart
2. Find the indented point between these two fingers
3. Precisely, it’s at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone (the middle of the finger bone)
4. You should feel slight tenderness when pressing with your finger, which indicates the correct location

Effective Acupressure Technique:

1. Slowly press with the thumb of your opposite hand
2. Press and hold for 3–5 seconds, then release (repeat this motion)
3. Perform for 3 minutes per session, 3–4 times daily
4. When asthma is severe, you can press for up to 5 minutes

Confirming Effectiveness: Facial pain should loosen within 5–10 minutes after acupressure.

2. Dazhui (GV14) — Fundamental Improvement of Asthma

Benefits: Most directly strengthens lung and respiratory function. Increases immunity to reduce asthma recurrence.

Finding the Exact Location:

1. Tilt your head forward slightly
2. Find the most prominent bone at the base of your neck (the 7th cervical vertebra)
3. It’s located in the indented area directly below this bone
4. It’s on the centerline at the back of your neck, so be careful not to press directly on the spine

Effective Acupressure Technique:

1. Use one finger or press with your knuckle to tap
2. Start gently (this is a sensitive area)
3. Perform for 5 minutes per session, twice daily (morning and evening)
4. Effects are amplified when combined with warm heat therapy

Caution: Since this point is located near the spine, avoid excessive stimulation. It’s important to handle it gently.

3. Shanzhong (CV17) — Acupoint for Deepening Breathing

Benefits: Quickly relieves chest tightness caused by asthma. Stimulating this point deepens your breathing.

Finding the Exact Location:

1. Draw an imaginary line connecting both nipples horizontally to the center of your chest
2. This point is at the 4th intercostal space
3. Precisely, it’s on the center line of the breastbone (on the bone itself)

Effective Acupressure Technique:

1. Massage in circular motions with your thumb
2. Direction: Circle clockwise 5–10 times
3. Perform for 3–5 minutes per session, 2–3 times daily
4. When combined with deep diaphragmatic breathing, the breathing improvement effect is enhanced

Confirming Effectiveness: You’ll notice your chest opening up and your breathing becoming deeper.

4. Lieque (LU7) — Improved Facial Nerve Circulation

Benefits: Directly strengthens lung function while rapidly improving circulation to facial nerves. Effective for both asthma and facial pain.

Finding the Exact Location:

1. Bend your wrist and look at the area above the wrist crease
2. It’s located in the indented area just above the thumb bone (radius)
3. It’s approximately 2 cm up the forearm from the wrist crease
4. You should feel slight tenderness when pressing with your finger, which indicates the correct location

Effective Acupressure Technique:

1. Slowly press with the thumb of your opposite hand
2. Press and hold for 5–10 seconds, then release (repeat this motion)
3. Perform for 3 minutes per session, 3–4 times daily
4. When asthma is severe, additional stimulation is safe

Confirming Effectiveness: You’ll feel tension releasing from your neck and face.

5. Chize (LU5) — Activation of Lung Function

Benefits: Promotes qi and blood circulation throughout the entire respiratory system. Also helps remove facial swelling and heat sensations.

Finding the Exact Location:

1. Bend your elbow and find the crease on the inner side of your arm (the antecubital crease)
2. It’s slightly to the outside of the end of this crease
3. It’s located on the lateral side of the biceps tendon (the tendon of the large muscle on the inner forearm)

Effective Acupressure Technique:

1. Slowly press and release repeatedly with your thumb
2. The intensity should produce a slight tenderness
3. Perform for 2–3 minutes per session, 3 times daily
4. Effects are better when you stimulate both when your arm is extended and when it’s bent

Additional Tip: Chize also helps relieve tension in the upper arm, making it especially beneficial for people with tight shoulders.

5-Minute Routine for Asthma and Facial Pain Relief

When to Do It: Right after waking up in the morning, before bed at night, or when asthma symptoms appear

What You Need: Nothing (your fingers are enough)

Routine Tips:

• Drinking warm water after acupressure makes effects faster
• If possible, perform this routine slowly in a quiet place
• Maintaining deep breathing during acupressure is most important
• Performing at the same time each day increases effectiveness

When Acupressure Isn’t Working

Acupressure typically takes 3–7 days to show results. However, if symptoms don’t improve after this period, you should seek professional consultation from a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic or hospital.

When to Seek Professional Consultation Immediately:

• Severe facial pain lasting longer than one week
• Breathing difficulty affecting your daily life
• Other symptoms appearing simultaneously (fever, cough, sore throat, etc.)
• Sudden worsening of symptoms

The Key to Managing Asthma and Facial Pain Together

Although these two symptoms appear different, they share a common cause: weakened respiratory function. Therefore, stimulating acupoints that strengthen lung function (Dazhui, Shanzhong, Lieque, Chize) along with those that improve facial circulation (Hegu) is the most effective approach.

Core Principles of Acupressure:

1. Performing consistently every day is far better than applying strong pressure a few times per week
2. Rather than only pressing when symptoms are severe, perform acupressure regularly for prevention
3. Maintaining deep breathing while performing acupressure enhances the effects
4. Drinking warm water and resting after acupressure produces results more quickly

Precautions