Managing Asthma and High Blood Pressure Simultaneously with 5 Acupoints
Why Asthma and High Blood Pressure Occur Together
People with both asthma and high blood pressure are caught in a vicious cycle. When stress from breathing difficulties rises, blood pressure increases, and elevated blood pressure makes breathing even more difficult.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, this is seen as “weakened lung function” and “stagnant liver qi.” When the lungs weaken, breathing becomes shallow, and when liver qi becomes blocked, stress regulation fails, causing blood pressure to rise. This is why there are acupoints that are effective for both conditions.
5 Acupoints Effective for Asthma and High Blood Pressure
| Acupoint Name | Location | Primary Effects | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST36 (Zusanli) | 3 cun below the knee, on the outer side of the tibia | Strengthens lung function, replenishes overall vitality | Easy |
| SP6 (Sanyinjiao) | 3 cun above the inner ankle bone | Promotes liver qi flow, improves sleep | Easy |
| LR3 (Taichong) | On the dorsum of the foot, between the big toe and second toe | Relieves stress, stabilizes blood pressure | Easy |
| LI11 (Quchi) | At the end of the elbow crease on the inner side | Strengthens lung function, improves breathing | Moderate |
| GB20 (Fengchi) | Below the skull, between the neck muscles on both sides | Promotes blood circulation, relieves intracranial pressure | Moderate |
1. ST36 (Zusanli) — The Acupoint That Boosts Your Foundation Energy
Most Important Role: Strengthens lung function and enhances immunity, reducing the frequency of asthma attacks. At the same time, it activates digestive function to improve overall vitality, helping to stabilize blood pressure.
How to Find the Location: Go down 3 cun (about 4 fingers’ width) below the knee. It’s on the outer side of the tibia, in a slightly indented area. When you place your finger there, you’ll feel it slightly sink in.
Acupressure Technique:
- Sit comfortably with your leg extended.
- Press firmly with your thumb for 4 seconds, then rest for 2 seconds.
- Repeat this 10 times.
- Perform on both legs.
Tip to Enhance Effectiveness: Acupressing in the morning boosts your energy for the day, while acupressing in the evening improves sleep quality. Practicing twice daily (morning and evening) is optimal.
2. SP6 (Sanyinjiao) — The Acupoint That Relieves Breathing Difficulty from Stress
Most Important Role: Promotes liver qi flow to quickly relieve stress. It lowers blood pressure and improves sleep quality, preventing asthma from worsening.
Especially Effective When: Women experience worsening asthma and high blood pressure symptoms due to hormonal imbalance. Those experiencing premenstrual symptom flare-ups or blood pressure fluctuations during menopause frequently seek out this acupoint.
How to Find the Location: From the inner ankle bone (the bony prominence on the inner side of the ankle), move up by 4 fingers’ width. It’s in the depression behind the medial side of the tibia (shinbone).
Acupressure Technique:
- Massage in circular motions with the tip of your thumb for 1 minute.
- Then press firmly for 3 seconds, repeating 10 times.
- Perform on both legs.
Optimal Timing: Acupressing in the evening has a sleep-inducing effect, keeping blood pressure stable throughout the night. One hour before bedtime is ideal.
3. LR3 (Taichong) — The Acupoint That Calms Stress and Emotions
Most Important Role: Calms liver qi to immediately relieve breathing difficulty caused by stress. It relieves tension in blood vessels to naturally lower blood pressure, and emotional stability helps prevent asthma attacks before they occur.
Role in Emergency Situations: Stimulating this point immediately when tense or angry stabilizes heart rate and deepens breathing. It works fastest when breathing becomes shallow due to stress.
How to Find the Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the big toe and the second toe. It’s in front of the junction of the metatarsal bones, in a slightly indented area.
Acupressure Technique:
- Press slowly with your thumb for 5 seconds, then release.
- Rest for 2 seconds, then press again.
- Repeat 8 times.
Tip to Maximize Effects: Pressing immediately when you feel stressed or emotionally upset has excellent preventive effects. The key is to acupressure while breathing slowly.
4. LI11 (Quchi) — The Acupoint That Immediately Relieves Acute Breathing Difficulty
Most Important Role: Directly strengthens lung function and quickly relieves breathing difficulty. It also normalizes large intestine function to improve overall circulation and stabilize blood pressure.
Role as an Emergency Acupoint: When asthma attacks and breathing suddenly becomes difficult, this is the fastest acupoint to provide relief. It’s worth stimulating before taking medication.
How to Find the Location: When you bend your elbow at 90 degrees, it’s at the outer end of the crease that forms. It’s on the thumb side, in a slightly indented area.
Acupressure Technique:
- Use your opposite thumb to gradually apply increasing pressure.
- Press for 5 seconds, rest for 3 seconds, and repeat 10 times.
- Perform on both arms.
Adjusting Pressure Intensity: When experiencing asthma symptoms, it’s fine to stimulate more frequently and with greater force. However, avoid causing pain—maintain a level that feels “tender but pleasant.”
5. GB20 (Fengchi) — The Acupoint That Promotes Brain Blood Circulation
Most Important Role: Promotes blood circulation to the brain to lower intracranial pressure and quickly relieve headaches caused by high blood pressure. It stimulates the respiratory center to naturally encourage deeper breathing in asthma patients.
Additional Effects: Relieves tense neck and shoulder muscles hardened by stress and tension. Particularly effective for those with back-of-head pain and neck stiffness caused by high blood pressure.
How to Find the Location: Find the base of the skull behind the neck (lower border of the occipital bone). It’s in the hollow where the neck muscles (trapezius) on both sides meet. There’s one on each side, for a total of two.
Acupressure Technique:
- Place your thumbs simultaneously on both sides of the neck at the back.
- Press for 5 seconds, rest for 2 seconds, and repeat 10 times.
- Take 5 slow, deep breaths after each acupressure session—this doubles the effectiveness.
Precautions: Since the neck is a sensitive area, don’t press too hard. If you feel pain, reduce the pressure. If it’s difficult to do alone, you can ask a family member for help.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine — How to Practice Daily
Optimal Times: Right after waking up in the morning (within 5-10 minutes), 1 hour before bed in the evening
Materials Needed: Comfortable clothing, space to sit on the floor
Acupressure Order (Total 5 minutes):
- ST36 both sides (1 minute) — Awakens lower body energy.
- SP6 both sides (1 minute) — Promotes liver qi flow.
- LR3 both sides (1 minute) — Calms emotions and stress.
- LI11 both sides (1 minute) — Strengthens lung function.
- GB20 both sides (1 minute) — Promotes overall circulation.
How to Practice the Routine: Progress from the lower body to the upper body. For each acupoint, breathe slowly and release tension as you proceed. Make it a daily habit, like brushing your teeth.
Expected Improvement Timeline:
- 1-2 weeks: Breathing deepens and asthma attack frequency decreases.
- 3-4 weeks: Blood pressure stabilizes and medication dependence decreases.
- 8 weeks or more: Stress response decreases and overall vitality improves.
Consistency is key. You need to practice daily for at least 3 weeks to feel the effects. Even after improvement, continue the routine for maintenance rather than stopping.
Additional Tips to Enhance Effectiveness
1. Breathing Is Most Important
Don’t hold your breath during acupressure. Breathe in slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Deep, slow breathing on its own lowers blood pressure and improves breathing.
2. Use Thermal Effects
Acupressing right after a warm bath improves blood circulation and accelerates results. A 5-minute routine after an evening bath is ideal.
3. Press Immediately When Stressed
Beyond the routine, try pressing LR3 and LI11 immediately when you feel angry or frustrated. It has an emergency relief effect. When you feel breathing difficulty, stimulate LI11.
4. Combine with Lifestyle Improvements
Acupoint stimulation alone has limitations. Practice regular exercise, get sufficient sleep, and avoid irritating foods.
When to Avoid and Precautions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there other acupoints for managing asthma and high blood pressure?
Yes, there are. While the above 5 acupoints are most effective, LI4 (Hegu, between thumb and index finger on the back of the hand) and PC6 (Neiguan, on the inner forearm above the wrist) also help relieve stress. If you have more time, you can stimulate these additionally—check related articles for details. Learn more about acupoints for stress relief
Are moxibustion or acupuncture also effective besides acupressure?
Yes, they are. However, moxibustion and acupuncture require professional guidance. For self-care, finger acupressure is safest and most effective. Receive acupuncture from a professional at a Chinese medicine clinic.
Is it safe to acupress while taking medication?
It’s generally safe. However, if you’re taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) that increase bleeding, avoid strong pressure. It’s safest to consult your doctor beforehand.
What if it’s difficult to do alone?
ST36, SP6, and LR3 are easy to do by yourself. You can also find LI11 on your opposite arm. Only GB20 (back of the neck) is difficult to do alone—you can ask a family member for help or supplement with a brief treatment at a Chinese medicine clinic.
Conclusion
Asthma and high blood pressure are different conditions, but they share common causes: stress and breathing. The 5 acupoints introduced in this article are specifically designed to address these common causes.
While you shouldn’t expect results as fast as medication, consistent practice can bring meaningful changes within 3-4 weeks. Most importantly, there are virtually no side effects.
Starting today, make it a habit to spend 5 minutes morning and evening, just like brushing your teeth. You’ll directly experience your breathing deepen and your blood pressure stabilize.
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