Introduction
It is common for cough and hoarseness to occur together due to seasonal changes or lingering effects of a cold. Cough is a reflex action caused by irritation of the respiratory tract, while hoarseness occurs from vocal cord fatigue and inflammation. When both symptoms occur simultaneously, daily life becomes very uncomfortable. Traditional Korean medicine recommends stimulating specific acupoints to alleviate these symptoms.
Five Acupoints for Cough and Hoarseness
1. Dazhui — GV14
Location: This point is located in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. When you tilt your head forward, the most prominent bone (cervical vertebra) appears at the back of the neck—Dazhui is the depression directly below this bone. It is located on the midline of the spine.
Benefits: Dazhui is very effective for enhancing immunity and supporting respiratory health. It quickly calms cough, reduces heat in the respiratory system, and excels at alleviating throat inflammation. It also helps restore overall vitality.
Acupressure Method: Press the Dazhui point precisely with your finger or thumb, maintaining pressure for 5 seconds before releasing. Repeat 10-15 times daily, morning and evening. Strong pressure is not necessary for effectiveness—perform at a comfortable intensity.
2. Tanzhong — CV17
Location: This point is located on the sternum (the bone in the center of the chest). It is at the midpoint between the nipples, specifically at the fourth intercostal space (between the ribs). It lies on the midline of the center of the chest.
Benefits: Tanzhong relieves chest tightness and promotes easy breathing. It alleviates chest discomfort from coughing, eases throat congestion, and promotes voice recovery. Symptoms caused by stress also improve.
Acupressure Method: Use the pad of your thumb to press the Tanzhong point slowly, holding for 3-5 seconds before releasing. Consistent pressure is more important than deep pressure. Apply 2-3 times daily, 10 repetitions each time.
3. Lieque — LU7
Location: This point is located approximately 1.5 cun (about 2 cm) above the wrist crease on the back of the hand. It is found in the depression just above the radial styloid process, where you can feel the thumb bone (radius). It is present on both hands.
Benefits: Lieque is an important point for regulating throat and lung function. It is very effective for suppressing cough and quickly improves throat pain and hoarseness. It also helps with general upper respiratory symptoms caused by colds.
Acupressure Method: It is most effective to press both Lieque points simultaneously. Press firmly with your thumb for 3-5 seconds, then release. Practice 5-7 days per week, 2-3 times daily. It works best when done upon waking in the morning and before bed.
4. Fenglong — ST40
Location: It is located approximately 8 cun (about 24 cm) below the depression on the outer side of the knee (lateral epicondyle) toward the ankle. On the outer side of the tibia (shin bone), at approximately the midpoint between the ankle and knee, about two finger-widths from the edge of the tibia.
Benefits: Fenglong is related to phlegm function and excels at eliminating sputum and phlegm that cause cough. It quickly relieves throat congestion and that stuck feeling, and is effective for chronic cough relief. Overall health also improves through better digestive function.
Acupressure Method: While seated, press both Fenglong points with your thumbs. Press slowly for 5-10 seconds, then release. Practice 1-2 times daily, 10-15 repetitions each time. It is more effective when done in the evening after warming your body.
5. Chize — LU5
Location: It is located in the upper area (toward the shoulder) of the inner crease of the elbow. It is at the outer end of the crease that forms when you bend your elbow, on the lateral side of the biceps tendon (the end of the large muscle on the front of the arm). It is present on both arms.
Benefits: Chize directly regulates lung function. It shows very rapid effects in alleviating cough and quickly resolves throat heat sensation and tingling. It reduces heat in the lungs and treats the root cause of cough.
Acupressure Method: It is best to press both Chize points simultaneously. Press with your thumb for 5 seconds and slowly release, repeating this cycle. Practice 3-4 times daily, 10 repetitions each time. When cough is severe, you can increase frequency by reducing the interval between sessions.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
This is a 5-minute routine to quickly alleviate cough and hoarseness. It is even more effective if you drink warm water before starting.
Step 1 (1 minute): First, apply acupressure to Dazhui (GV14) for 30 seconds. Slowly press and release the area below the 7th cervical vertebra at the back of your neck with your thumb. Then apply acupressure to Tanzhong (CV17) for 30 seconds to relieve chest tightness.
Step 2 (1.5 minutes): Apply acupressure to both Lieque (LU7) points simultaneously. Repeatedly press and release for 1 minute. Since Lieque acts most directly on throat symptoms, finding the exact location is important.
Step 3 (1 minute): While seated, apply acupressure to both Fenglong (ST40) points. Stimulate thoroughly for 1 minute to help expel sputum.
Step 4 (1.5 minutes): Finally, apply acupressure to both Chize (LU5) points simultaneously. Find the inner elbow crease accurately and continue stimulating for 1.5 minutes. At this stage, as heat leaves the lungs, the cough begins to subside.
If you perform this routine twice daily, morning and evening, your cough and hoarseness will noticeably improve within 3-5 days.
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