5 Acupoints That Help Both Cough and Anxiety

Introduction

If you experience cough and anxiety at the same time, you’re not alone—this is something everyone goes through. When your body is under stress, your breathing becomes shallow, creating a vicious cycle that worsens your cough. In traditional Chinese medicine, there are acupoints that address both symptoms together. Today, we’ll introduce 5 key acupoints that can help relieve both cough and anxiety at the same time.

5 Best Acupoints for Cough and Anxiety

1. Taichong (LR3) — GB31

Location: Located between the first and second metatarsals on the top of the foot, in the depression before the metatarsal junction. When you spread your toes, if you follow the web-like area between your big toe and second toe with your thumb, you’ll find where the bones meet.

Effects: Taichong regulates the Liver meridian, smoothing the flow of qi (vital energy) in the body. When Liver function is smooth, anxiety decreases significantly, and at the same time, it releases tension in the respiratory system and relieves cough. It’s especially effective for stress-induced nervous cough.

Acupressure Technique: Sit in a comfortable position with your feet parallel, and locate the Taichong point with your thumb. Press slowly to the point where you feel slight discomfort, holding for 3 seconds and releasing for 3 seconds, repeating for 1 minute. Press both feet, and it’s most effective in the evening when you’re releasing the day’s stress.

2. Neiguan (PC6) — PC6

Location: On the inner side of the wrist, about 2 cun (approximately 5-6cm) up from the wrist crease toward the forearm. You can see two thick tendons on the inner wrist, and the point is located in the hollow depression between them. When you press with your finger, you’ll feel slight tenderness.

Effects: Neiguan governs the Heart and Stomach, and it shows excellent effects on calming both body and spirit. It quickly calms anxiety, relieves chest tightness, and alleviates nervous cough. It provides immediate relief when breathing becomes shallow or the chest feels uncomfortable.

Acupressure Technique: Place one arm on a table and locate Neiguan with the thumb of your other hand. Press vertically with slight pressure, massaging in circular motions for 30 seconds of acupressure. You can press both arms whenever you feel anxious, and it’s recommended to repeat 3-4 times daily.

3. Dazhui (GV14) — GV14

Location: Located in the depression directly below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck (the seventh cervical vertebra) when you bend your head forward. Find the depression in the center of the spine along the line where the neck and upper back meet. When you touch it, it feels like a small hollow.

Effects: Dazhui is the acupoint that governs the body’s overall yang energy. It strengthens immunity to address cough at its root and stabilizes the nervous system to relieve anxiety. It’s especially recommended when cough and anxiety accompany a cold, or when you have chronic nervous cough.

Acupressure Technique: Look in a mirror, bend your head slightly forward, and find the spot directly below the prominent bone at the back of your neck. It’s best to have someone else do this for you, but if doing it yourself, overlap the middle and ring fingers of both hands and press straight down slowly, repeating 3-4 times for 20-30 seconds each. It’s even more effective when you apply pressure with warm hands.

4. Shanzhong (CV17) — CV17

Location: Located at the center of the chest, on the sternum (breastbone). It’s at the intersection of the line connecting both nipples and the center of the sternum, corresponding to the 4th intercostal space (between the ribs). Using both hands, follow the center of the sternum downward until you find the midpoint of the chest.

Effects: Shanzhong is the most important acupoint for governing qi (vital energy), and it regulates the entire respiratory system. It directly alleviates cough symptoms and simultaneously relieves chest tightness and anxiety. It shows excellent results for shortness of breath caused by psychological stress and nervous cough.

Acupressure Technique: Sit comfortably, find the Shanzhong point at the center of your chest, and press vertically with your overlapped middle fingers. Don’t press too hard—apply gentle pressure to the point where you feel slight discomfort, pressing and releasing slowly, repeating for about 1 minute. It’s effective when your breathing becomes rapid or when you’re coughing frequently.

5. Shenmen (HT7) — HT7

Location: Located on the inner wrist crease, moving toward the ulnar side (pinky finger side). When the wrist is extended, it’s located in the depression next to the ulnar flexor carpi tendon (the tendon on the pinky finger side) above the wrist crease. When you extend your wrist and press with your finger, you’ll feel slight tenderness.

Effects: Shenmen governs the Heart and Spirit, and it quickly calms anxiety, restlessness, and sleep disturbances. It effectively relieves cough caused by heightened nervousness, and through psychological stabilization, it enhances the body’s natural healing power. It helps with all nervous symptoms caused by stress.

Acupressure Technique: Extend one arm with the wrist facing up, and locate Shenmen with the thumb of your other hand. Press vertically with slight pressure until you feel mild tenderness, massaging in circular motions with 30-40 seconds of acupressure. You can press it immediately whenever you feel anxious, and it’s especially effective before bed in the evening.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

Morning (Start Your Day Fresh): 1) Press both Taichong points (LR3) for 1 minute → 2) Press both Neiguan points (PC6) for 30 seconds → 3) Press Dazhui (GV14) for 30 seconds. This routine releases the stress accumulated overnight and helps you start your day with fresh breathing.

Afternoon (When You Feel Anxious): 1) Press both Shenmen points (HT7) for 30 seconds → 2) Press both Neiguan points (PC6) for 30 seconds → 3) Press Shanzhong (CV17) for 30 seconds. Practice this immediately when you feel anxious or restless during work.

Evening (Calm Body and Spirit): 1) Press both Taichong points (LR3) for 1 minute → 2) Press both Shenmen points (HT7) for 1 minute → 3) Press Shanzhong (CV17) for 30 seconds → 4) Press Dazhui (GV14) for 30 seconds. Follow this routine 30 minutes before bed to enjoy sound sleep and reduce nighttime coughing. If you practice this consistently every day, you’ll notice symptom improvement within 2 weeks.