5 Acupoints Beneficial for Both Asthma and Hoarseness

Introduction

Have you experienced waking up from continuous coughing throughout the night and then developing hoarseness? When asthma and hoarseness appear together, not only does breathing become difficult, but daily life is affected as well. In traditional medicine, these two symptoms are viewed as an imbalance in vital energy circulation in the respiratory system. Today, I’ll introduce 5 acupoints that simultaneously relieve asthma and hoarseness.

5 Key Acupoints for Asthma and Hoarseness

1. Dachu — GV14

Location: When you bend your neck forward, it’s located in the depression below the most prominent bone (the 7th cervical vertebra). It’s the point that feels indented when you press with your finger at the center of the back of the neck.

Benefits: Dachu is an acupoint that strengthens the body’s yang energy and boosts immunity. By improving lung function, it relieves asthma symptoms, and by enhancing overall vital energy, it also improves hoarseness.

Pressure technique: Place your middle fingers together and press vertically on the Dachu acupoint. Maintain firm pressure for 10 seconds while exhaling, then slowly release. Repeat this 5 times and perform it 3 times daily.

2. Zhongwan — CV17

Location: Located above the breastbone, at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples (the 4th intercostal space). It’s the indented area where the center of the chest meets the breastbone.

Benefits: Zhongwan is called the “center of respiration” and regulates the function of the lungs and heart. It quickly relieves breathing difficulties caused by asthma, relieves chest tightness, and soothes airway irritation caused by hoarseness.

Pressure technique: Bring together the middle finger and ring finger of one hand and press vertically on the Zhongwan acupoint. After gently massaging in a circular, clockwise motion 5 times, press the center for 5 seconds. Perform this 3-4 times daily.

3. Chize — LU5

Location: When you slightly bend your elbow, it’s located slightly toward the thumb side (lateral to the biceps tendon) from the inner elbow crease. It’s easy to find when you straighten your arm with your palm facing upward.

Benefits: It’s an important acupoint on the Lung meridian that directly regulates lung function. During an asthma attack, it quickly stops coughing, and it’s very effective at relieving throat inflammation and improving hoarseness.

Pressure technique: Press the Chize acupoint firmly with your thumb of the opposite hand. Hold for 10 seconds while exhaling, then slowly release the pressure. Repeat 5 times on each arm, 2-3 times daily.

4. Jiachengjiang — ST12

Location: Above the clavicle (shoulder bone), located approximately 4 cun (about 12 cm) from the center of the neck toward the outside, in a depression. It becomes clearly noticeable when you find it by brushing down from the clavicle.

Benefits: Jiachengjiang is an important acupoint responsible for vital energy circulation in the neck and throat area. It directly improves hoarseness, relieves coughing and sore throat, and by reducing inflammation in the respiratory tract, it also relieves asthma symptoms.

Pressure technique: Place the thumbs of both hands above the clavicle and gently massage in a circular motion 5 times. Then press the center for 5 seconds. Perform this twice daily, morning and evening.

5. Zhiyang — GV9

Location: Located in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (the bone you can feel at the lower center of the back). When you expand your chest and press with your finger at the lower center of the back, it’s the indented point.

Benefits: Another important acupoint that strengthens lung function, it excels at improving chronic asthma and strengthening respiratory resilience. It improves overall respiratory symptoms including hoarseness and has an effect of calming coughs.

Pressure technique: In a lying position, interlock your hands and place them over the Zhiyang acupoint. Slowly exhale while applying your body weight for 10 seconds. Repeat this 5 times and perform it twice daily.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

This is a 5-minute acupressure routine to improve asthma and hoarseness. Perform it every morning and evening:

Step 1 (1 minute): Press Dachu acupoint 5 times → Step 2 (1 minute): Massage Zhongwan acupoint → Step 3 (1 minute): Press Chize acupoint 5 times → Step 4 (1 minute): Massage Jiachengjiang acupoint → Step 5 (1 minute): Press Zhiyang acupoint 5 times. If possible, perform in a warm environment and comfortable clothing, and it’s best to start 30 minutes after eating. When symptoms are severe, you can increase the routine to 3 times daily.