Dealing with Cough and Loss of Consciousness? These 5 Points Can Help

Introduction

Coughing is a common symptom, but many people become alarmed when it’s suddenly accompanied by cloudy consciousness or dizziness. This can be a signal of insufficient oxygen to the brain due to irregular breathing. Traditional Korean medicine views these symptoms as airway obstruction and Qi (vital energy) circulation disorder, and offers methods to simultaneously improve breathing and blood circulation through stimulation of specific acupoints. In this article, I’ll introduce five acupoints effective for both coughing and loss of consciousness, along with accurate pressure massage techniques.

Five Acupoints Good for Coughing and Loss of Consciousness

1. Dachu Acupoint — GV14

Location: It is in the depression below the 7th cervical vertebra spinous process. When bending your head forward, it is located in the hollow area just below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck (7th cervical vertebra).

Effects: Dachu is an acupoint where all Yang (positive) energy converges and is excellent for strengthening immunity and activating respiratory function. It stops coughing, promotes airway relaxation, and improves blood circulation to the brain, quickly restoring cloudy consciousness.

Pressure Massage Method: Place the joint of your thumb on the Dachu acupoint and press firmly in a vertical direction for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times with intensity that causes slight discomfort. The effect doubles if you press while inhaling and release while exhaling.

2. Quanzhong Acupoint — CV17

Location: The 4th intercostal space above the sternum, precisely at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples. Below the neck, moving your finger downward to where the ribs divide is precisely this location.

Effects: Quanzhong is the central acupoint for respiration. It immediately calms coughing fits, strengthens lung energy, and promotes circulation between the heart and lungs. It can simultaneously address dizziness and heart palpitations caused by loss of consciousness.

Pressure Massage Method: Stack your middle fingers of both hands and place them on the Quanzhong acupoint. Repeat pressing and releasing vertically at a slow pace, about once per second for 30 seconds. Breathing deeply and exhaling slowly while doing this helps stabilize breathing.

3. Lieque Acupoint — LU7

Location: It is 1.5 cun (approximately 5 cm) above the inner wrist crease toward the elbow. When the wrist is slightly bent, the hollow area above the thumb-side bone (radial styloid process) is exactly the Lieque acupoint.

Effects: Lieque is an important gateway of the Lung meridian and is most effective at quickly stopping coughing symptoms. It directs excessive energy downward and makes breathing deep and stable. When consciousness is cloudy, stimulating Lieque on the wrist activates nerves and helps restore consciousness.

Pressure Massage Method: Find the Lieque acupoint with the thumb of the opposite hand and massage in circular motions the size of a coin. Repeat 20 times clockwise and 20 times counterclockwise. A slightly sharp sensation is appropriate.

4. Fenglong Acupoint — ST40

Location: On the outer side below the knee; precisely 2 cun above the outer side of the tibia (outer shin), at a point 8 cun (approximately 24 cm) down from the lateral knee prominence toward the ankle.

Effects: Fenglong is excellent at removing phlegm and mucus from the respiratory system and improves blood circulation to the brain. It suppresses not only chronic cough but also acute coughing fits, and quickly restores hypoxia that causes cloudy consciousness.

Pressure Massage Method: In a sitting position, place one leg over the opposite knee. Find the Fenglong acupoint with your thumb, press deeply in a vertical direction, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times, maintaining intensity to feel discomfort and breathing deeply each time.

5. Yongquan Acupoint — KI1

Location: It is in the hollow area in the front 1/3 of the sole of the foot. It is at the midpoint of the crease on the sole when the toes are bent inward, at the point between the second and third toes extending toward the heel.

Effects: Yongquan is the acupoint where Kidney energy emerges and is most effective for consciousness recovery and lower body blood circulation. It quickly resolves brain oxygen deficiency caused by sudden coughing and activates the body’s fundamental energy to immediately improve loss of consciousness symptoms.

Pressure Massage Method: In a comfortable position, place one foot over the opposite knee. Find the Yongquan acupoint with the tip of your thumb and press firmly. Press for 10 seconds and release for 2 seconds, repeating 5 times. The stronger the stimulation of Yongquan, the faster the effect on consciousness recovery.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

Order: When coughing and loss of consciousness occur simultaneously, stimulate from the upper body downward in sequence.

Step 1 (1 minute): First, press the Dachu acupoint for 30 seconds to activate Yang energy in the upper body and deepen breathing.

Step 2 (1 minute): Press the Quanzhong acupoint for 30 seconds to strengthen lung energy and relax the airway.

Step 3 (1 minute): Press both Lieque acupoints for 30 seconds each to quickly calm respiratory symptoms.

Step 4 (1 minute): Press both Fenglong acupoints for 30 seconds each to improve oxygen supply.

Step 5 (1 minute): Press both Yongquan acupoints firmly for 30 seconds each to awaken consciousness and strengthen body energy.

Repeat: Repeat this 5-minute routine 3-5 times until symptoms ease. It is very important to breathe deeply and slowly at each step.