5 Effective Acupoints for Asthma and Nosebleeds | Acupressure Methods and Benefits
Comparison Chart of Acupoints for Asthma and Nosebleed Relief
| Acupoint | Location | Asthma Benefit | Nosebleed Benefit | Recommended Daily Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dachu (GV14) | Below the 7th cervical vertebra | Strengthens immunity | Improves blood circulation | 3-4 times |
| Shanzhong (CV17) | Center of the breastbone | Improves qi flow, enhances breathing | Releases chest heat | 2-3 times |
| Chize (LU5) | Above the elbow crease | Relieves airway constriction (immediate effect) | Releases lung heat | 5-6 times |
| Quepen (ST12) | Hollow above the collarbone | Relieves airway constriction | Calms blood vessel congestion | 2-3 times |
| Zhiyang (GV9) | Below the 7th thoracic vertebra | Stabilizes spirit and breathing | Regulates body heat | 3-4 times |
The Vicious Cycle of Asthma and Nosebleeds: Why Do They Occur Together?
During an asthma attack, airway constriction raises blood pressure, which causes nasal blood vessels to dilate, resulting in nosebleeds. In traditional Chinese medicine, this is seen as a chain reaction caused by “lung heat.”
If you treat asthma alone and neglect nosebleeds, repeated breathing difficulties create a vicious cycle that continuously triggers nosebleeds. The 5 acupoints in this article were specifically chosen to address the root cause—”lung heat”—and normalize qi circulation.
1. Dachu (GV14): Strengthen Immunity to Build Respiratory Resistance
Location: The depression directly below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck when tilting the head forward (C7)
Effect: Strengthens respiratory resistance through yang qi tonification, enhances immune function
Reason for Selection: Most effectively addresses the underlying cause of asthma and nosebleeds—weakened immunity
Accurate Acupressure Technique
- Sit comfortably and tilt your head forward about 30 degrees.
- Find the most prominent bone at the back of your neck, then locate the depression directly below it—this is Dachu.
- Overlap the middle fingers of both hands and position them vertically on Dachu.
- Press slowly, holding for 3-5 seconds each time, then release. Repeat.
- Perform 20-30 presses per session, 3-4 times daily.
Timeline for Results: With consistent acupressure, improved breathing ease can be felt within 2 weeks; noticeable immune enhancement appears after 4-6 weeks of continuous practice.
Signs of Effectiveness: If you feel your shoulders becoming heavy or warm after pressing Dachu, it indicates improved blood circulation.
2. Shanzhong (CV17): Normalize Chest Qi Flow to Restore Deep Breathing
Location: The center of the chest, the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples (4th intercostal space)
Effect: Normalizes thoracic qi circulation, promotes airway relaxation during asthma attacks
Reason for Selection: Most rapidly alleviates the breathlessness caused by asthma
Accurate Acupressure Technique
- Lie on your back and position two fingers (index and middle) side by side.
- Lightly touch the Shanzhong acupoint at the center of your chest.
- Inhale slowly through your nose while gently pressing with your fingers (3-5 seconds).
- Exhale slowly through your mouth while gradually releasing finger pressure.
- Perform one 5-10 second cycle, 2-3 times daily.
Sign of Deeper Breathing: If your chest center feels warm and deep breathing becomes easier immediately after acupressure, the technique is working.
Use During Emergencies: When asthma attacks begin suddenly, gently stimulating Shanzhong for 1 minute can normalize breathing. (However, if breathing difficulty is severe, seek immediate medical attention.)
3. Chize (LU5): Directly Strengthen Lung Function for Immediate Asthma Relief
Location: In the elbow crease when the arm is bent, on the lateral side of the biceps tendon (thumb side)
Effect: Directly strengthens lung function, immediately relieves airway constriction during asthma attacks (fastest effect)
Reason for Selection: As the child point of the Lung meridian, it has the most direct influence on lung function
Accurate Acupressure Technique
- Extend one arm to reveal the elbow crease.
- In the elbow crease, locate the tendon on the thumb side.
- Use the pad beneath your thumbnail of the opposite hand to stimulate Chize.
- Press slowly, maintaining pressure for 15-20 seconds each time.
- Stimulate both arms once each, 5-6 times daily.
Using During Asthma Attacks: Chize is most effective when pressed at the very beginning of an asthma attack, so it’s crucial to stimulate it immediately when symptoms appear. Continue pressing repeatedly until breathing normalizes.
Expected Physical Response: A clear sign of effectiveness is feeling your lungs open up and experiencing deeper breathing immediately after pressure.
4. Quepen (ST12): Lower Upper Body Heat to Simultaneously Relieve Nosebleeds and Airway Constriction
Location: The hollow depression above the center of the collarbone (approximately 1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline)
Effect: Calms upper blood vessel congestion, releases respiratory heat to simultaneously relieve nosebleeds and airway constriction
Reason for Selection: The only acupoint that addresses the “heat” in both asthma and nosebleeds
Accurate Acupressure Technique
- Sit comfortably and tilt your head back about 45 degrees.
- Clearly identify the hollow area above your collarbone using both hands.
- Use the middle fingers of both hands to simultaneously stimulate both Quepen points.
- Press slowly, hold for 2-3 seconds, then release. Repeat.
- Press 15-20 times on each side, 2-3 times daily.
Nosebleed Relief Mechanism: Since Quepen is the closest acupoint to the nose, reducing heat at this point rapidly decreases nasal blood vessel dilation. Stimulating this point as soon as nosebleeding begins can significantly reduce bleeding volume.
Caution: This area contains concentrated nerves and blood vessels, so apply firm but gentle pressure rather than strong force to ensure effective stimulation.
5. Zhiyang (GV9): Simultaneously Stabilize Spirit and Breathing to Break the Vicious Cycle
Location: Along the spinal centerline in the mid-back, in the depression below the 7th thoracic vertebra
Effect: Reduces anxiety-triggered asthma attacks through psychological stabilization, simultaneously calms spirit and breathing
Reason for Selection: Blocks the psychological aggravating factors in the asthma vicious cycle
Accurate Acupressure Technique
- Bend forward slightly about 30 degrees at the waist.
- Count the thoracic vertebrae from behind and locate the 7th thoracic vertebra (below shoulder height).
- The depression below it is Zhiyang.
- Overlap the middle fingers of both hands and press vertically.
- Perform 20-25 presses, 3-4 times daily.
Psychological Effect: After stimulating Zhiyang, you may experience mental calm and chest ease. This indicates significant reduction in anxiety accompanying asthma attacks.
How Zhiyang Breaks the Asthma Cycle: Asthma follows a vicious cycle: breathing difficulty → anxiety → accelerated breathing → worsened asthma. Zhiyang interrupts this cycle by first resolving psychological anxiety.
5-Minute Emergency Acupressure Routine: When Asthma Attack and Nosebleed Occur Together
The following routine is designed to quickly relieve symptoms when asthma and nosebleeds occur simultaneously. Continuing this routine even after symptoms improve increases effectiveness.
| Step | Acupoint | Method | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Zhiyang (GV9) | 20 slow presses | Psychological stabilization to eliminate anxiety |
| Step 2 | Shanzhong (CV17) | 5 presses with deep breathing | Establish breathing depth |
| Step 3 | Chize (LU5) | Stimulate each arm 15 times | Directly strengthen lung function |
| Step 4 | Quepen (ST12) | Press each side 15 times | Calm nasal blood vessel congestion |
| Step 5 | Dachu (GV14) | 20 final stimulating presses | Strengthen immunity to prevent recurrence |
Total Time Required: Approximately 5 minutes | Recommended Frequency: Perform immediately whenever symptoms appear
Changes to Expect After Routine: You should experience normalized breathing, chest ease, and cessation of nosebleed bleeding. If symptoms persist after the 5-minute routine, seek immediate medical attention.
Daily Acupressure Schedule for Ongoing Symptom Management
While the emergency routine is for acute situations, consistent management is essential for fundamental improvement of asthma and nosebleeds.
- Morning (right after waking, 6-8 AM): Dachu 20 presses + Shanzhong 5 presses = Promote respiratory metabolism
- Afternoon (after meals, 12-2 PM): Chize 15 presses (both arms) + Quepen 15 presses (both sides) = Maintain lung function
- Evening (before bed, 8-10 PM): Zhiyang 20 presses + Shanzhong 5 presses = Psychological stabilization and deep sleep
Expected Results: After 2 weeks of consistency, improved breathing ease; after 4 weeks, reduced asthma attack frequency; after 8 weeks, nosebleeds nearly disappear.
Safety and Precautions
Contraindicated Groups: Consult a Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Pregnant Women: Shanzhong and Dachu may trigger uterine contractions and should be avoided.
- High Blood Pressure Patients: Proceed slowly and gently.
- Blood Clotting Disorders: If nosebleeds don’t stop, seek immediate medical attention.
- Skin Wounds/Infection: Avoid stimulation if the pressure point area has wounds.
5 Principles of Proper Acupressure
- Pressure Control: “Mildly soreness” is the standard. Bruising or skin damage should not occur.
- Duration: Follow the specified duration for each acupoint.
- Hygiene: Wash hands before acupressure and check nail length.
- Consistency: Repeated regular practice is more effective than single sessions. Continue for at least 2 weeks.
- Medical Visit Criteria: If symptoms don’t improve after 2 weeks, consult a professional.
Additional Management to Enhance Results
When combined with acupressure, the following practices can accelerate asthma and nosebleed improvement by more than 2 times.
- Hydration: Drink over 2 liters of water daily to maintain respiratory tract membrane hydration
- Warm Air Breathing: Cold air worsens asthma; create a warm environment
- Limit Caffeine: Coffee and chocolate can trigger airway constriction; minimize intake
- Regular Exercise: Slow walking and yoga strengthen lung function
- Stress Management: Meditation and diaphragmatic breathing promote psychological stability
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which acupoint is most effective for asthma symptoms?
For immediate relief, prioritize Chize (LU5); for fundamental improvement, prioritize Dachu (GV14).
As the child point of the Lung meridian, Chize directly influences the lungs, rapidly relieving airway constriction during asthma attacks. A single stimulation can normalize breathing.
Dachu strengthens immunity, addressing the root cause of asthma by enhancing respiratory resistance. Consistent stimulation reduces asthma attacks themselves.
In what order do I press when both nosebleeds and asthma are present?
Follow this sequence: Zhiyang (GV9) → Shanzhong (CV17) → Chize (LU5) → Quepen (ST12) → Dachu (GV14).
This sequence first establishes psychological stability, then normalizes breathing, strengthens lung function, and finally releases heat. Starting with Zhiyang is particularly important, as anxiety and tension worsen asthma attacks.
How many times daily and for how long should I press?
For Prevention: 2-3 times daily, 15-30 seconds per acupoint
During Severe Symptom Periods: 4-5 times daily, complete 5-minute emergency routine
What matters most is consistent repetition rather than long duration in single sessions. Acupressure at the same time daily forms a responsive pattern, increasing effectiveness.
How long until I feel results?
Immediate Effects (Chize, Shanzhong): Improved breathing within 1-5 minutes after acupressure
Short-term Effects (1-2 weeks): Improved breathing ease, reduced asthma attack frequency
Medium-term Effects (4-6 weeks): Fundamental improvement begins through immune enhancement
Long-term Effects (8+ weeks): Asthma attacks nearly disappear, nosebleeds mostly resolved
These timelines assume regular acupressure practice; individual variation is significant.
Can I use acupressure together with medication?
Yes, absolutely. Acupressure is an adjunct to medication, not a replacement.
Continuing asthma inhalers and prescribed medications while using acupressure to strengthen respiratory resistance creates synergistic effects that enhance medication effectiveness.
If you plan to discontinue any treatment, always consult your physician first.
Does acupressure need to be painful to be effective?
Yes, some soreness (achy sensation) signals effectiveness. However, “appropriate soreness” differs from “unbearable pain.”
Appropriate Stimulation: Achy, soreness sensation → Effective
Excessive Stimulation: Severe pain, bruising, skin damage → Counterproductive
Avoiding pressure from fear of pain reduces effectiveness. You must find “appropriate soreness” that provides relief.
Is this acupressure safe for pregnant women?
No. Shanzhong and Dachu can trigger uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Asthma and nosebleed management during pregnancy requires collaboration between obstetricians and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Inform them of pregnancy possibility beforehand.
Conclusion: Breaking Free from the Asthma-Nosebleed Vicious Cycle
Simultaneous asthma attacks and nosebleeds are not mere coincidence. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, they stem from the same root cause (lung heat and impaired qi circulation), resulting in chain-reaction symptoms. Therefore, unless both symptoms are addressed simultaneously, improvement in one triggers worsening in the other, perpetuating the cycle.
The 5 acupoints in this article were scientifically selected to interrupt this vicious cycle. Starting today with consistent practice of these acupressure techniques, you can experience significantly easier breathing within 2 weeks and substantial reduction in asthma attacks within 8 weeks.
The most important thing is starting today. Try pressing Dachu or Chize right now. The immediate improvement in breathing ease will motivate you throughout this process.
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