5 Acupoints for Simultaneous Relief of Asthma and Malaria

Physical Condition When Suffering From Both Asthma and Malaria Simultaneously

When experiencing both conditions at once, the respiratory and immune systems become severely weakened. Breathing difficulties disrupt sleep, while repeated high fevers and chills rapidly deplete your physical stamina. In this state, self-acupressure serves as an effective supplementary tool to stimulate your body’s natural healing capacity.

Traditional medicine has long recognized meridian points that can manage these two symptoms simultaneously. In particular, acupoints that strengthen yang energy and restore respiratory function also help alleviate the temperature imbalances caused by malaria.

5 Effective Acupoints for Asthma and Malaria

1. Dazhui (GV14) — Center of Immune Enhancement

Immediate Effects: Strengthens the body’s yang energy to regulate malaria-related high fever and chills, while enhancing respiratory resistance caused by asthma.

Precise Location: When bending your head forward, find the most prominent bone (the seventh cervical vertebra) and locate the small hollow depression directly below it. Following your spine downward from below the neck with your finger, you’ll feel the small indentation that marks Dazhui.

Acupressure Method:

1. Sit in a comfortable position and bend your head slightly forward.
2. Press slowly with your thumb for 5-10 seconds. (Pressure should produce a mild soreness)
3. Perform twice daily for approximately 1 minute per session.
4. Avoid excessive force; consistent stimulation is key.

Precautions: Stimulate the small hollow directly below the spinous process, not the center of the spine itself. Since the neck is a sensitive area, avoid excessive pressure.

2. Shanzhong (CV17) — Immediate Solution for Breathing Difficulty

Immediate Effects: Rapidly normalizes breathing during asthma attacks and relieves chest tightness. Simultaneously activates the immune system to increase resistance to malaria.

Precise Location: Located at the midpoint of a line connecting both nipples at the center of the chest. It is at the level of the fourth intercostal space on the breastbone, and pressing it produces a slight sense of discomfort.

Acupressure Method:

1. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply.
2. Press slowly and vertically with your finger or acupressure tool for 5-10 seconds.
3. When experiencing breathing difficulty, acupressure combined with deep breathing is more effective.
4. Perform 2-3 times daily for approximately 1 minute per session.

Precautions: Since you’re pressing the center of the breastbone, finding the exact location is crucial. You can stimulate this point even through clothing.

3. Chize (LU5) — Direct Recovery of Lung Function

Immediate Effects: Provides the fastest relief of breathing difficulty during asthma attacks and reduces cough symptoms. Also calms the body’s excessive heat caused by malaria-related high fever.

Precise Location: On the inner side of the arm, at a point one thumb-width away from the elbow crease in the direction of the thumb. With your arm extended, find it along the inner elbow.

Acupressure Method:

1. Extend one arm comfortably and stimulate with the thumb of your opposite hand.
2. Press slowly for 3-5 seconds. (Apply to both arms)
3. When experiencing asthma symptoms, you can stimulate this point frequently as needed.
4. Perform 2-3 times daily for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute per session.

Precautions: Finding the exact location at the elbow crease requires precision. For beginners, it’s helpful to verify the location with a mirror while stimulating.

4. Jiebu (ST12) — Focused Resolution of Upper Respiratory Symptoms

Immediate Effects: Rapidly relieves coughing and throat tightness from asthma, and improves sore throat and cold-like symptoms caused by malaria.

Precise Location: Located approximately 4 cun (about 12 cm) outward from the midline (the imaginary line descending from the center of the collarbone to the center of the chest) at the hollow above the collarbone. Find it by locating the area just above and lateral to the collarbone.

Acupressure Method:

1. Sit comfortably and stimulate both sides simultaneously with your fingers.
2. Press slowly for 5-10 seconds. (Mild discomfort is normal)
3. When coughing is severe, additional frequent stimulation helps.
4. Perform 2-3 times daily for approximately 1 minute per session.

Precautions: The collarbone is a sensitive bone, so avoid excessive pressure. If you’ve missed the exact location, confirm you’re stimulating directly above the collarbone, not around the neck.

5. Zhiyang (GV9) — Body Temperature Regulation and Metabolism Promotion

Immediate Effects: Effectively regulates high fever and chills from malaria while improving chest tightness from asthma and enhancing qi circulation throughout the back.

Precise Location: Located in the hollow depression below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra. With your arms at your sides, find it at the center of the back at approximately the height of your elbows, directly below a spinal bone.

Acupressure Method:

1. If difficult to do alone, seek help from a family member or use an acupressure tool.
2. With an acupressure tool, stimulate while leaning your back against a chair back.
3. Press slowly for 5-10 seconds.
4. Combining warm compress on the back increases effectiveness.
5. Perform 1-2 times daily for approximately 1 minute per session.

Precautions: Since the back is difficult to examine accurately yourself, assistance from a family member is recommended. Stimulate the hollow directly below the center of the spinal bone, not the edges of the vertebra.

5-Minute Self-Acupressure Routine (Twice Daily)

Consistent stimulation is essential for simultaneously managing asthma and malaria symptoms. Perform the routine below every morning and evening.

Preparation (1 minute):

• Sit comfortably and take 3 deep breaths.
• Prepare your fingers or acupressure tool.
• Drink warm water to help your body relax.

Step 1 — Respiratory Stimulation (1 minute):

• Apply acupressure to Chize (LU5) on each arm for 30 seconds each.
• Effect: Immediately eases breathing.

Step 2 — Core Strengthening (1 minute):

• Continuously apply acupressure to Shanzhong (CV17) for 1 minute.
• Effect: Relieves chest tightness.

Step 3 — Upper Respiratory Relief (1 minute):

• Apply acupressure to Jiebu (ST12) on both sides for 30 seconds each.
• Effect: Reduces coughing and throat discomfort.

Step 4 — Immune Enhancement (1 minute):

• Apply acupressure to Dazhui (GV14) for 1 minute.
• Effect: Enhances overall immune function.

Step 5 — Body Temperature Regulation (1 minute):

• Stimulate Zhiyang (GV9) for 1 minute. (With family assistance or using an acupressure tool)
• Effect: Regulates body heat and completes the session.

Post-Treatment Care: Rest in a warm environment for at least 10 minutes after stimulation. Exposure to cold air reduces effectiveness.

Precautions When Applying Acupressure

When Acupressure Alone Is Not Sufficient

Self-acupressure is a supplementary tool. Asthma and malaria require medical diagnosis and treatment. Seek professional medical care immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms.

• High fever lasting more than 3 days
• Breathing difficulty severe enough to prevent speech
• Chest pain accompanying respiratory symptoms
• Clouded consciousness
• Persistent coughing lasting more than 2 weeks

While traditional medicine acupressure supports your body’s natural healing capacity, malaria is an infectious disease that requires antimalarial medication. Combining acupressure with medical treatment is the most effective approach.

Additional Helpful Information

There are other acupoints that can help manage breathing difficulty. Learning more about additional acupoints effective for asthma-related breathing difficulty allows you to incorporate points like Laogong (PC8) and Geshu (BL42) into your routine. Consulting a comprehensive guide to respiratory disease acupoints can help you find the combination best suited to your symptoms.

Additionally, practicing lifestyle habits that support asthma and fever relief alongside acupressure increases effectiveness. Adequate water intake, humidification, and maintaining a warm environment work together with acupressure.

Conclusion

Experiencing asthma and malaria simultaneously places considerable stress on your entire body. However, consistent stimulation of 5 acupoints—Dazhui, Shanzhong, Chize, Jiebu, and Zhiyang—can help restore respiratory function and regulate body temperature.

The most important factor is consistency. You should notice effects after maintaining a twice-daily, 5-minute routine for at least 2 weeks. Combined with medical treatment, self-acupressure allows you to maximize your body’s natural healing capacity.