Introduction
Cough and nasal congestion commonly appear together due to colds or allergies. If you want to relieve symptoms with nature-friendly methods before taking medicine, acupressure is effective. By using 5 specific acupoints that help stop cough and improve nasal airflow, you can conveniently manage symptoms at home.
5 Acupoints for Cough and Nasal Congestion
1. Dazhui — GV14
Location: At the back of the neck, in the hollow depression immediately below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra, which protrudes most when you bend your head forward. It’s the indented area below the bone that your finger touches when you gently bend your neck down.
Benefits: The GV14 acupoint boosts immunity and relieves overall cold symptoms. It’s particularly effective at calming cough and strengthening respiratory function, and also helps regulate body temperature to promote cold recovery.
Acupressure Technique: Using your thumb or middle finger, slowly press for 3–5 seconds and release. Repeat 5 times, 3–5 times daily. Avoid pressing too hard; apply pressure with the feeling of warm energy spreading.
2. Shanzhong — CV17
Location: At the center of the chest, at the midpoint between a horizontal line connecting both nipples. It’s located in the 4th intercostal space (between the 4th ribs) above the sternum, and can be found by placing two fingers side by side at the center of your chest.
Benefits: The CV17 acupoint directly stimulates the respiratory system to relieve cough and improve lung function. It relieves breathing difficulty caused by nasal congestion and eliminates chest tightness, quickly calming cough symptoms.
Acupressure Technique: Overlap your index and middle fingers and slowly press vertically into the center of your chest to a depth of 1–2 cm for 3–5 seconds. Repeat 10 times, 3 times daily; pressing in the evening also helps with better sleep.
3. Yintang — EX-HN3
Location: Between the eyebrows at the center of the face. It’s located at the point where the inner ends of both eyebrows meet, making it an easy-to-find acupoint.
Benefits: Yintang improves circulation to the nose and brain, quickly relieving nasal congestion. It also clarifies the mind and is excellent at simultaneously relieving nasal congestion that appears alongside headaches.
Acupressure Technique: Place the pad of your thumb perpendicular to the point between your eyebrows and press for 3–5 seconds, then release. Repeat 5–10 times daily; you can press it anytime when nasal congestion is severe. Gently rubbing in circular motions is also effective.
4. Lieque — LU7
Location: On the palmar side of the wrist crease, about 1.5 cun (approximately 2 cm) toward the thumb side (radial styloid process). When you gently bend your wrist, a small indented area becomes palpable.
Benefits: LU7 is directly connected to the lung meridian, making it highly effective for relieving respiratory symptoms. It calms cough, improves nasal congestion from colds, and also relieves throat pain.
Acupressure Technique: Press slowly with your opposite thumb for 3–5 seconds. Press both arms 5 times, 3–5 times daily. It’s even more effective to soak your wrist in warm water before applying acupressure.
5. Fenglong — ST40
Location: Below the knee on the lateral side of the tibia (shin bone). It’s located about 8 cun (approximately 10 cm) down from the indented area below the knee (lateral condyle) of the tibia, and about 2 finger-widths (approximately 2 cm) to the outside of the tibia.
Benefits: ST40 is known as the “treasure of phlegm,” and it regulates mucus secretion to promote the clearing of nasal congestion and cough with phlegm. It’s a powerful acupoint that simultaneously relieves nasal discharge and cough from colds.
Acupressure Technique: Press slowly with your thumb for 3–5 seconds. Press both legs 10 times, 3 times daily. It’s best to apply acupressure while sitting with your legs comfortably extended.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
1 minute: Preparation — Sit in a comfortable position and take 2–3 deep breaths. Rub your hands together to warm them up, then begin acupressure.
1 minute: Neck → Chest — Press GV14 5 times and CV17 10 times. Apply deep, slow pressure with the sensation of warm energy spreading.
1 minute: Face — Press EX-HN3 10 times. If you feel your nasal passages opening, pause briefly and repeat.
1.5 minutes: Arms → Legs — Press LU7 5 times on each arm and ST40 10 times on each leg. Maintain gentle, steady pressure.
0.5 minutes: Closing — Take 3 more deep breaths to finish. Notice any improvement in your nasal congestion and cough.
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