5 Acupoints for Simultaneous Relief of Asthma and Thumb Pain

One-line summary: When asthma causes difficult breathing along with thumb pain, pressing acupoints focused on the chest for respiratory function and upper limb pain relief together can improve both symptoms simultaneously.

Introduction

When oppressive chest discomfort from asthma symptoms combines with thumb pain, daily life becomes truly difficult. In particular, as stress and muscle tension intensify, the two symptoms tend to interact and worsen. Fortunately, traditional Chinese medicine presents effective acupoints that can alleviate both symptoms simultaneously. Today, I’ll introduce 5 key acupoints that help with both asthma and thumb pain.

5 Best Acupoints for Asthma and Thumb Pain

1. Dazhui — GV14

Location: Located in the depression directly below the most protruding bone (7th cervical vertebra) when you bend your head forward at the back of the neck. It’s the most prominent point where the neck and back meet.

Effects: Dazhui is such an important acupoint it’s called the “back of the foundation.” It strengthens whole-body yang energy and enhances immune function to prevent asthma attacks, and improves upper body circulation to effectively relieve thumb pain. It’s particularly excellent for improving respiratory symptoms.

Pressing technique: Use the fingerprint surface of your thumb to rub it up and down for 30 seconds. It’s good to press slowly with warm fingers while breathing deeply. Repeating 2-3 times daily is effective.

2. Tanzhong — CV17

Location: Located at the midpoint where an imaginary line connecting both nipples intersects on the center of the chest. More precisely, it corresponds to the 4th intercostal space on the sternum.

Effects: Tanzhong is an acupoint that immediately relieves chest oppression. It directly strengthens lung function to alleviate asthma symptoms, and improves circulation around the heart to help relieve upper body pain. It also calms the mind to prevent symptom worsening due to stress.

Pressing technique: Gather three fingers—index, middle, and ring—and press vertically and slowly. Press for 5 seconds and rest for 5 seconds for 1 minute total. Pressing while breathing deeply is even more effective.

3. Chize — LU5

Location: Located right above the crease that appears when you bend your elbow, on the thumb side of the arm. It’s at the lateral end of the biceps brachii tendon.

Effects: Chize is a key acupoint on the lung meridian that directly stimulates lung function to quickly relieve asthma symptoms. It promotes blood circulation in the arm and hand to improve poor upper limb circulation, which is the root cause of thumb pain. It’s an excellent acupoint that can address both respiratory disease and upper limb pain simultaneously.

Pressing technique: Naturally bend your elbow, then use the thumb of the opposite hand to find Chize and press deeply with the fingerprint surface. Repeat 3 times for 30 seconds each at a level that feels slightly tender (soreness-distention sensation).

4. Jiexi — ST12

Location: Located at the hollow space above the collarbone, about 4 cun (approximately 12cm) outward from the midline. It’s the depression felt when moving laterally along the collarbone.

Effects: Jiexi is an acupoint that regulates both respiratory organs and upper limb circulation. It relieves tension in the neck and shoulders to prevent asthma exacerbation, and improves blood circulation in the arms and hands to be excellent for relieving thumb pain. It’s particularly effective for upper body stiffness symptoms caused by stress.

Pressing technique: Gently press the hollow space above the collarbone with your index and middle fingers. Press vertically inward, but not too firmly, continuing slowly for 1 minute. Pressing in rhythm with your breath is most effective.

5. Zhiyang — GV9

Location: Located in the depression directly below the 7th thoracic spinous process at the center of the back. It corresponds to the area below the shoulder blades, above the lower back.

Effects: Zhiyang relieves tension around the thoracic spine and directly strengthens respiratory function. It immediately alleviates breathing difficulty from asthma, and improves poor upper limb circulation caused by tension in the back and shoulders to help relieve thumb pain. It’s also effective in preventing asthma exacerbation in office workers who sit for long periods.

Pressing technique: Reach your opposite hand behind your back, find Zhiyang with the fingerprint surface of your thumb, and press it. Alternatively, pressing against a tennis ball on your back while applying body weight is also effective. Repeating 3-5 times for 30 seconds each is beneficial.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

A 5-minute routine to simultaneously relieve asthma and thumb pain: ① First, slowly bend your neck to relax the Dazhui (GV14) area, then rub Dazhui up and down with the thumb of the opposite hand for 30 seconds (1 minute). ② Sit upright and slowly press the center of your chest at Tanzhong (CV17) with three fingers for 1 minute (1 minute). ③ Bend your elbow and press Chize (LU5) for 30 seconds, twice (1 minute). ④ Press Jiexi (ST12) above the collarbone on both sides for 30 seconds each (1 minute). ⑤ Finally, press the Zhiyang (GV9) area on your back with a tennis ball or your fingers for 30 seconds (1 minute). Repeating this routine morning and evening allows you to feel both asthma symptoms and thumb pain improve together.

🤰 Pregnancy warning: Some acupoints such as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4), and Taichong (LR3) can trigger uterine contractions in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, always consult with a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or medical professional before practicing.

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This article is written for health information purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist or are severe, always consult with a medical professional.