Introduction
When the seasons change, cough and cold often come together. A sore throat, continuous cough, and your body getting tired—I’m sure everyone has experienced this before. When medications alone don’t seem enough, acupoint pressure therapy mentioned in traditional medicine texts can be surprisingly helpful. In this post, I’ll share 5 acupoints that can relieve both cough and cold symptoms simultaneously, along with the correct pressure techniques.
5 Acupoints Good for Cough and Cold
1. Hegu — LI4 (Large Intestine 4)
Location: In the hollow between the thumb and index finger, located at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone. When you open your hand and spread your thumb and index finger, it’s at the center of the triangular area that appears.
Benefits: It’s considered the top acupoint for boosting immunity. It’s excellent at relieving early cold symptoms, regulating fever, and suppressing cough. It also improves immune weakness caused by stress, accelerating cold recovery.
Pressure Technique: Apply pressure with your opposite thumb, using a moderate pressure that causes slight discomfort, and rub in circular motions for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times on both hands. It’s most effective to apply pressure with warm hands.
2. Fengchi — GB20 (Gallbladder 20)
Location: Below the occipital bone (back of the skull), in the hollow area between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles where the neck and shoulder connect. It becomes easy to feel when you tilt your head slightly forward.
Benefits: ‘Wind (風)’ means removing the external wind that causes cold. It quickly relieves chills, headaches, and sore throat from colds. It also improves overall fatigue from viral infections, increasing recovery speed.
Pressure Technique: Apply pressure simultaneously with both thumbs. Press deeply for about 10 seconds, then slowly release the pressure when letting go. Repeat this 10 times, and perform 3-4 times daily at 5-minute intervals.
3. Dazhui — GV14 (Governing Vessel 14)
Location: Directly below the most prominent bone when you bend your head forward (the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra), in the depression below it. It’s located at the midline of the spine at the junction between the neck and upper back.
Benefits: In traditional medicine, the ‘Great Hammer’ is known as the acupoint that governs all yang energy. It strengthens lung function, which is the root cause of cough, and reduces high fever from colds. It directly helps eliminate cold viruses by strengthening the immune system.
Pressure Technique: Since self-application is difficult, ask a family member, or perform slow circular massage with warm fingers. Applying a heat pack is also effective. Perform 1-2 times daily, 5 minutes each time.
4. Shanzhong — CV17 (Conception Vessel 17)
Location: Located at the center of the line connecting both nipples from the center of the sternum (at the 4th intercostal space). You’ll feel a slight depression when you touch it with your finger.
Benefits: It’s a key acupoint that regulates lung and heart function. It directly relieves cough symptoms, reduces airway inflammation, and facilitates phlegm expulsion. It promotes deep, comfortable breathing and improves shortness of breath.
Pressure Technique: Press slowly and vertically with your middle finger, hold for 3 seconds, then release. Press deeply but adjust the intensity if there’s pain. Perform 3 times daily, 10 repetitions each time for quick cough relief.
5. Lieque — LU7 (Lung 7)
Location: About 1.5 cun (approximately 2cm) above the wrist crease, located on the styloid process of the radius (the thumb-side forearm bone). It’s the hollow area you feel when you slightly bend your wrist.
Benefits: It’s an important point on the Lung meridian that directly affects cough and throat symptoms. It quickly calms nasal congestion, sneezing, and cough from colds. It also boosts skin immunity to defend against cold virus invasion.
Pressure Technique: Press with your thumb, maintaining slight discomfort. Repeat 5 times, pressing for 15 seconds and resting for 10 seconds. Perform on both hands, 4-5 times daily for best results.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
When you have cough and cold symptoms, proceed in the following order. Perform once in the morning and once in the evening, for a total of 2 times daily.
Step 1 (1 minute): Hegu (LI4) pressure – 30 seconds per hand
Step 2 (1 minute): Lieque (LU7) pressure – 30 seconds per hand
Step 3 (1 minute): Fengchi (GB20) pressure – 30 seconds per side
Step 4 (1 minute): Shanzhong (CV17) pressure – continue for 1 minute
Step 5 (1 minute): Dazhui (GV14) warm massage – 1 minute with warm hands
By consistently repeating this 5-minute routine, you can feel significant improvement in cough and cold symptoms within 3-5 days. After the acupressure, it’s good to drink warm water or ginger tea to maintain a warm body temperature.
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