Introduction
When cough and nosebleed appear together, daily life becomes inconvenient. In traditional medicine, these two symptoms are understood to arise from lung heat and imbalance in qi-blood circulation. Before taking medication, you can relieve these symptoms with simple acupoint pressure therapy. I’ll introduce five acupoints that you can practice anywhere—at work, school, or home.
Five Best Acupoints for Cough and Nosebleed
1. Dachu — GV14
Location: Below the 7th cervical vertebra spinous process. When you bend your neck forward, it’s located directly below the most prominent bone.
Benefits: It removes lung heat and strengthens immunity. It directly addresses lung heat (the root cause of cough) and is highly effective at stopping nosebleed.
How to Press: Repeat pressing firmly with your thumb for 10 seconds, three times. Heat therapy—applying a warm towel to the area while bathing—is also effective.
2. Tanzhong — CV17
Location: On the upper breastbone, at the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples (at the level of the 4th intercostal space).
Benefits: It directly strengthens lung qi and improves respiratory function. It’s most effective at relieving cough and promotes qi-blood circulation to improve nosebleed as well.
How to Press: Stack three fingers and massage in slow circular motions for 30 seconds. It’s best to do this three times daily—after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
3. Lieque — LU7
Location: 1.5 cun (approximately 2 cm) above the wrist crease, located above the radial styloid process. It’s the small hollow that appears when you bend your wrist.
Benefits: This acupoint rapidly relieves nosebleed and nasal congestion. It strengthens lung function and improves respiratory circulation to prevent nosebleed from recurring.
How to Press: Press firmly with the thumb of your opposite hand for 10 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat five times. Alternating between both wrists is even more effective.
4. Fenglong — ST40
Location: On the outer side of the lower leg, below the knee, about 8 cun (approximately 24 cm) down from the lateral epicondyle, approximately 2 finger-widths lateral to the tibia.
Benefits: It strengthens overall immunity and improves qi-blood circulation. It comprehensively supports respiratory health to suppress both cough and nosebleed.
How to Press: Massage in circular motions with your thumb for 15 seconds. A slight tenderness is appropriate. Stimulate this point consistently for 5 minutes in the evening.
5. Chize — LU5
Location: On the inside of the elbow crease, on the lateral side (thumb side) of the biceps tendon.
Benefits: This acupoint directly strengthens lung function. It quickly soothes cough and reduces respiratory inflammation to support nosebleed recovery.
How to Press: Press with the thumb of your opposite hand for 10 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat for a total of 2 minutes. You can press this point anytime when cough is severe.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Quick Relief Sequence for Cough and Nosebleed:
Step 1 (1 minute): Press Dachu (GV14) firmly × 10 times
Step 2 (1 minute): Massage Tanzhong (CV17) in circular motions
Step 3 (1 minute): Stimulate both Lieque (LU7) and Chize (LU5) simultaneously
Step 4 (1 minute): Massage Fenglong (ST40) on the leg
Step 5 (1 minute): Press Tanzhong (CV17) slowly one more time
Repeat this routine three times daily—morning, afternoon, and evening—and you can expect symptom improvement within 2-3 days.