5 Acupoints Beneficial for Both Asthma and Night Sweats

Introduction

Are you experiencing painful nights gasping for breath and drenched in cold sweat? When asthma symptoms and night sweats occur simultaneously, sleep quality drops dramatically and daily fatigue multiplies. In traditional medicine, these symptoms are viewed as diminished respiratory function and internal heat imbalance. Fortunately, precise acupoint stimulation can alleviate both symptoms together.

5 Acupoints Beneficial for Asthma and Night Sweats

1. Dazhui (大椎) — GV14

Location: Below the 7th cervical vertebra spinous process, in the depression. When you bend your head forward, it’s the indentation below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck.

Benefits: Dazhui is an acupoint that governs yang qi throughout the body, strengthening immune function and improving respiratory symptoms. It regulates internal heat loss from night sweats while simultaneously enhancing weakened respiratory function from asthma.

Massage Technique: Sit in a comfortable position and gently press the Dazhui acupoint with your thumb tip. Repeat in a rhythm of pressing for 1 second and resting for 1 second for 3 minutes. You should feel a dull soreness rather than sharp pain.

2. Shanzhong (膻中) — CV17

Location: In the center of the upper sternum, at the midpoint where a horizontal line connecting both nipples intersects. Precisely, it’s located in the 4th intercostal space (the fourth space between the ribs).

Benefits: An important acupoint that regulates lung and heart function, deepening respiration and calming asthma attacks. It also manages body heat regulation in the chest area, effectively reducing night sweats.

Massage Technique: Lying down, gently press Shanzhong vertically with the tip of your middle finger. Press for 3 seconds while slowly inhaling, and rest for 3 seconds while exhaling. Continue coordinating with your breathing for 5 minutes.

3. Chize (尺澤) — LU5

Location: On the inner side of the arm above the elbow crease, on the outer side of the biceps tendon. When you bend your arm, it’s at the outer end of the inner elbow crease.

Benefits: A key acupoint of the lung meridian that directly improves bronchial function and prevents asthma attacks. By reducing heat in the lungs, it also alleviates night sweats and quickly resolves cough and chest tightness.

Massage Technique: Press the Chize acupoint on the opposite arm with your thumb. Stimulate for 3 seconds while taking a deep breath in, and slowly release pressure while exhaling. Work on each arm for 2 minutes each, for a total of 4 minutes.

4. Quepen (缺盆) — ST12

Location: In the center of the depression above the collarbone, approximately 4 cun (about 12 cm) outward from the midline of the body. By running your finger along the collarbone, you can feel a distinct depression.

Benefits: An acupoint that manages both respiratory function and temperature regulation. It improves oxygen absorption deficiency caused by asthma and calms night sweats from lung overheating. It also promotes blood circulation in the chest area.

Massage Technique: Press Quepen simultaneously with the thumbs of both hands. Rather than pressing lightly, the appropriate pressure is when you feel a slight soreness when pressing firmly. Press for 30 seconds and rest for 10 seconds, repeating for 3 minutes.

5. Zhiyang (至陽) — GV9

Location: In the depression below the 7th thoracic vertebra spinous process. Tracing upward along the spine from the level of the lowest rib, you’ll find it in the depression you feel.

Benefits: Strengthens yang qi in the center of the back to fundamentally improve asthma symptoms. It replenishes body fluids lost from night sweats and restores internal moisture balance. It also relieves overall fatigue.

Massage Technique: Since it’s located in the center of the back and difficult to press alone, I recommend placing a tennis ball against your back and lying on it to stimulate with your body weight. Alternatively, ask a family member to gently press it with a round object (such as a yoga block) for 3-5 minutes.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

Asthma and Night Sweat Relief Routine You Can Do at Home in the Evening:

Step 1 (1 minute): Sit in a comfortable position and take 3 slow, deep breaths. This is preparation time to focus your mind and calm your spirit.

Step 2 (2 minutes): Press the Dazhui acupoint with overlapped hands while maintaining deep breathing. Continue until you feel a slight warm sensation.

Step 3 (1 minute): Alternate between stimulating Shanzhong and Chize. Coordinate with your breathing rhythm and repeat the pressing and releasing motion slowly.

Step 4 (1 minute): Stimulate Quepen simultaneously with both thumbs while positively imagining that your asthma is easing and night sweats are decreasing.

Finish: After completing the routine, slowly drink a glass of warm water and meditate for 5 minutes to double the effects.