Introduction
Have you ever noticed that when stress-induced anger builds up, your throat becomes irritated and you develop a cough without realizing it? In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is called “qi stagnation of the liver,” and it recognizes a deep connection between emotions and the respiratory system. Without medication, you can ease this discomfort simply by pressing five acupoints on your hands, feet, and neck.
5 Acupoints for Cough and Anger
1. Tai Chong (太衝) — LR3
Location: On the top of the foot, in the depression just before the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones (between the big toe and second toe bones).
Benefits: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is the primary acupoint for the liver. It brings down the elevated liver qi caused by anger and stress, stabilizing emotions. At the same time, it relieves neck stiffness and alleviates cough.
Acupressure Technique: Slowly press between the toes with your thumb, pressing firmly enough to feel tenderness for 5 seconds, then rest for 3 seconds. Repeat 5 times on each foot.
2. Da Zhui (大椎) — GV14
Location: On the back of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (the most prominent bone when you bow your head).
Benefits: An important acupoint on the Governing Vessel that manages the lungs and airways, directly alleviating cough. It also strengthens yang qi throughout the body, helping to relieve qi stagnation caused by anger.
Acupressure Technique: Press the depression on the back of the neck deeply inward with your middle or thumb finger. Press for 3–5 seconds and release, repeating 10 times. If it’s difficult to do alone, you can lie on a pillow with a tennis ball placed underneath and allow your body weight to naturally apply pressure.
3. Shan Zhong (膻中) — CV17
Location: At the center of the chest, exactly at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples (the fourth intercostal space).
Benefits: An acupoint that releases qi trapped in the chest, opening up the chest and relieving the stuffiness caused by cough. It also alleviates stress around the heart, calming anger.
Acupressure Technique: Place three fingers together (index, middle, and ring finger) and press vertically on the center of your chest. Press as you inhale through your nose, and release as you exhale. Continue for 1 minute.
4. Shen Men (神門) — HT7
Location: On the inner crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial (thumb) side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon (the tendon on the pinky side).
Benefits: An acupoint that governs the heart and spirit, directly calming emotions such as anger and anxiety. It also alleviates cough caused by nervous tension.
Acupressure Technique: Using the inner wrist crease as a reference, slowly press with your thumb the depression on the pinky side. Press each wrist for 3–5 seconds, repeating 10 times on each arm.
5. Lie Que (列缺) — LU7
Location: Approximately 1.5 cun (about 2 cm) above the inner wrist crease, in the hollow area above the radial styloid process (the bony prominence on the thumb side of the wrist).
Benefits: The acupoint that directly governs the lungs and respiration, making it the most effective point for alleviating cough and asthma. It relieves neck tension and also helps ease neck stiffness caused by anger.
Acupressure Technique: Slowly press the hollow area above the wrist with your thumb. Press for 5 seconds and rest for 3 seconds, repeating 10 times on each arm.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Practice this routine in the morning or when you feel anger and cough:
1) Apply pressure to Tai Chong (LR3) on both feet, 5 times each (1 minute)
2) Apply pressure to Da Zhui (GV14) on the neck, 10 times (1 minute)
3) Apply pressure to Shan Zhong (CV17) on the chest in sync with breathing (1 minute)
4) Apply pressure to Shen Men (HT7) on both wrists, 10 times each (1 minute)
5) Apply pressure to Lie Que (LU7) on both wrists, 10 times each (1 minute)
By repeating this 5-minute routine 2–3 times a day, you should notice a reduction in the frequency of cough and anger within a week.