Introduction
When a sudden cough comes on, daily life becomes inconvenient, and if nighttime coughing disrupts your sleep, it’s truly frustrating. In particular, lingering cough from an unresolved cold or respiratory discomfort from seasonal changes are symptoms many people experience.
In traditional Chinese medicine, cough is understood as a result of reduced lung function and insufficient respiratory circulation. Our bodies have specific acupoints that promote lung function and strengthen the respiratory system. By consistently stimulating these acupoints, you can activate the secretion of lung fluids and relieve airway tension, naturally improving cough symptoms. Since you can simply stimulate them with your fingers without taking medication, you can practice this anytime and anywhere.
5 Effective Acupoints for Cough Relief
1. Feishu (BL13) — The Center of Lung Function
Location: Upper back, approximately 2cm lateral to the third thoracic vertebra. If it’s difficult to locate precisely, it is at the level of the inner edge of the shoulder blade, approximately one index finger width away from both sides of the spine.
Acupressure Method: While lying down or in a comfortable position, slowly press and release with your thumb 10-15 times. Continue until you feel a refreshing sensation rather than pain.
Benefits: As the most important acupoint of the lung meridian, it strengthens lung function and is effective for respiratory conditions in general. It is particularly useful for relieving chronic cough, asthma, and cough caused by bronchitis.
2. Tianduo (BL11) — Respiratory Strengthening
Location: Upper back, near the boundary between the neck and shoulder, approximately 2cm lateral to the first thoracic vertebra. You can find it by placing your finger behind the neck and moving it down along both sides of the spine.
Acupressure Method: Gently press with both thumbs simultaneously about 10 times. If it’s difficult to do alone, you can also use a mini massage stick.
Benefits: It calms upper respiratory inflammation and strengthens overall respiratory function. It quickly relieves lingering cough from cold aftereffects or throat itchiness.
3. Zhongfu (REN17) — The Center of Lung and Chest
Location: The center of the chest, at the height where your finger touches when your arm hangs down from the centerline between both breasts. More precisely, it is at the apex between the ribs at the center of the breastbone.
Acupressure Method: Standing upright, gently press the center of the chest with your thumb or middle finger 10-15 times. Be careful not to press too hard.
Benefits: It directly stimulates lung function to make breathing deeper and easier. It improves oppressive cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
4. Lieque (LU7) — The Special Point of the Lung Meridian
Location: Approximately 1.5cm from the inner wrist crease in the direction of the thumb. When you bend your wrist, two tendons become visible, and it is in the hollow space between them.
Acupressure Method: Extend one arm and press slowly with the opposite thumb for about 1 minute or stimulate it in a circular motion. Alternate between both sides.
Benefits: As a key acupoint that regulates the entire lung meridian, it broadly improves not only cough but also sneezing, nasal symptoms, and skin conditions. It shows rapid effects especially for acute cough.
5. Taiyuan (LU11) — The Final Acupoint for Clearing Lung Heat
Location: The outer edge of the thumb nail, at the point where the nail meets the finger skin. More precisely, it is at the edge of the thumb tip toward the index finger.
Acupressure Method: Stimulate the Taiyuan area with the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand by gently pinching. Repeat 10-15 times, but do not press too hard.
Benefits: It drains heat from the lungs and removes toxins from the body. It is particularly effective for cough accompanied by throat soreness and cough with a burning sensation.
5-Minute Self-Acupressure Routine
Time Allocation and Order:
- Feishu (BL13) — 1 minute (30 seconds each side)
- Tianduo (BL11) — 1 minute (30 seconds each side)
- Lieque (LU7) — 1 minute (30 seconds each side)
- Zhongfu (REN17) — 1 minute (1 minute at the center point)
- Taiyuan (LU11) — 1 minute (30 seconds each side)
Recommended Time: After waking in the morning or before bed at night. It is more effective if done twice a day.
Additional Tips: If you wash your hands with warm water to warm your fingers before starting, blood circulation becomes more active and the effectiveness increases.
