5 Acupressure Points to Relieve Asthma and Dehydration Simultaneously

Why Asthma and Dehydration Occur Together

When asthma symptoms are present, breathing becomes shallow. This reduces oxygen exchange efficiency in the body and impairs the lungs’ water discharge function. At the same time, if dehydration exists, the airway mucosa becomes even drier, worsening asthma in a harmful cycle.

Breathing difficulty combined with bodily dryness isn’t simply two separate symptoms—it reflects that lung qi (氣) and blood circulation are both compromised. Traditional Chinese medicine addresses this by stimulating acupressure points that improve both conditions simultaneously.

5 Acupressure Points for Relieving Asthma and Dehydration

1. Dachu (GV14) — The Center of Breathing

Effects: This is the most important acupoint for the respiratory system. It can relieve breathing difficulty from asthma in less than 30 seconds while simultaneously strengthening immunity to protect airways weakened by dehydration.

Finding the Location: Drop your head forward to find the most prominent bone (the 7th cervical vertebra), then locate the depression directly below it. You’ll find it where your fingers naturally settle at the boundary between your neck and upper back.

Pressing Technique:

1. Place your thumb perpendicular to Dachu
2. Apply pressure slowly over 5 seconds, then release for 2 seconds
3. Repeat 10 times, continuing until you feel warmth spreading from your neck into your upper back
4. The pressure should feel like a dull ache rather than sharp pain

After Pressing: Drinking warm water after stimulation enhances body fluid circulation.

2. Quanzhong (CV17) — Instant Relief for Chest Tightness

Effects: By improving qi circulation in the chest, this point provides the fastest relief for asthma-related chest tightness and breathing difficulty. It normalizes the lungs’ water metabolism, directly preventing airway dryness from dehydration.

Finding the Location: This point is precisely at the center where a horizontal line connecting both nipples intersects (at the 4th intercostal space). It’s at the height where the tips of your middle and ring fingers meet when your hands are pressed together.

Pressing Technique:

1. Raise your middle finger and place it gently on Quanzhong (avoid pressing hard on the chest)
2. Massage gently in clockwise circles for 1 minute
3. Maintain conscious, deep, relaxed breathing throughout
4. Keep the pressure gentle—avoid applying force

Optimal Timing: This point is most effective when pressed immediately as you feel your breathing quicken or when experiencing chest tightness.

3. Chize (LU5) — Direct Lung Function Regulation

Effects: As a primary point on the Lung meridian, it directly regulates lung function, enabling fundamental improvement of asthma. It normalizes the lungs’ water absorption and discharge, treating lung dryness from dehydration while simultaneously relieving allergic breathing difficulty.

Finding the Location: With your arm bent, this point is on the inner side of the elbow crease. It’s in the depression on the outer side of the biceps tendon.

Pressing Technique:

1. While keeping your arm bent, place your thumb on Chize
2. Press for 3 seconds, then release for 1 second
3. Repeat 15 times, continuing until you feel warmth spreading throughout your forearm
4. After completing one arm, repeat the same technique on the other arm

Timeline for Results: With consistent practice, you’ll notice improved breathing depth within 3 weeks.

4. Jiaoei (ST12) — Nutrient Absorption and Electrolyte Balance

Effects: This point promotes relaxation of the respiratory muscles, providing immediate relief for chest tightness from asthma. It improves stomach function and nutrient absorption, correcting electrolyte imbalance from dehydration and promoting active body fluid circulation.

Finding the Location: In the hollow area above the clavicle, approximately 4 cun (about 6 cm) lateral to the center of the chest. It’s located slightly below the inner end of the clavicle.

Pressing Technique:

1. Gather four fingers (index, middle, ring, and pinky) and place them on the Jiaoei area
2. Gently tap or massage in circular motions for 30 seconds
3. Practice twice daily (morning and evening)
4. Drink plenty of warm water after pressing to aid hydration

Caution: Since the clavicular nerve passes through this area, it’s important to apply gentle stimulation rather than firm pressure.

5. Zhiyang (GV9) — Increased Breathing Capacity and Accelerated Metabolism

Effects: This point improves breathing depth and increases lung capacity, addressing the fundamental cause of asthma—insufficient breathing volume. It accelerates metabolism to correct body fluid imbalance from dehydration and promotes whole-body qi and blood circulation.

Finding the Location: It’s in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra at the center of the back. Starting from the base of your neck, trace your finger downward until you find the first depression on your back.

Pressing Technique:

1. Sit with your back straight or lie down, and place your thumb on Zhiyang
2. Press firmly for 10 seconds, then rest for 5 seconds
3. Repeat 10 times, continuing until you feel warmth spreading throughout your back
4. If doing this alone is difficult, ask family members for help or use a tennis ball

Alternative Method: Place a tennis ball below the Zhiyang area and apply pressure using your back’s weight for comfort.

5-Minute Daily Self-Massage Routine

By systematically stimulating these 5 acupoints, your respiratory qi flows smoothly and body fluid circulation normalizes. Following the sequence below makes the technique even more effective.

Morning Routine (Right after waking, 3 minutes)

1. Dachu (GV14) – 10 repetitions (1 minute)
2. Quanzhong (CV17) – 1 minute of circular massage (1 minute)
3. Chize (LU5) – 15 repetitions on each arm (1 minute)

In the morning, focus on activating lung function and increasing daily breathing capacity. After pressing, drink a cup of warm water to maintain easy breathing for extended periods.

Evening Routine (Before bedtime, 2 minutes)

1. Jiaoei (ST12) – 30 seconds (30 seconds)
2. Zhiyang (GV9) – 10 repetitions (1 minute 30 seconds)

In the evening, activate body fluid circulation and metabolism to prevent dehydration symptoms from worsening overnight. Proceed slowly in a calm, relaxed manner.

Precautions During Pressing

• Pressure: The ideal sensation is a dull ache rather than sharp pain
• Frequency: Twice daily is optimal; an additional daytime session is possible only when asthma symptoms are severe
• Duration: Continuing for at least 3 weeks will show noticeable improvement
• Water Intake: Always drink warm water after pressing to support rehydration
• Situations to Avoid: Avoid pressing during high fever (38°C or above) or acute illness

Why Asthma and Dehydration Improve Together

These 5 acupoints don’t simply relieve each symptom individually—they simultaneously improve both lung qi and body fluid circulation.

• Lung Function Strengthening – Dachu, Quanzhong, and Chize lead to increase breathing capacity
• Body Fluid Circulation Improvement – Jiaoei and Zhiyang activate nutrient absorption and metabolism
• Airway Moisturization – Normalizing lung water metabolism prevents airway dryness
• Electrolyte Balance – Improved stomach function corrects electrolyte imbalance from dehydration

Because these effects work together synergistically, you can experience simultaneous relief of both breathing difficulty and bodily dryness from asthma.

If You Have Other Symptoms?

If you have asthma and dehydration along with additional symptoms, you can supplement these acupressure techniques.

• When coughing is severe: Learn more about acupoints effective for cough relief
• When accompanied by throat pain: You can combine asthma stimulation with acupoints for sore throat relief
• When experiencing anxiety or sleep disturbance: Stimulating lung function points together with calming acupoints is effective