Acupressure Points for Colds & Flu

Acupressure strengthens the immune system and can help you ward off colds and flus. Many of the immune boosting points can strengthen your over wellbeing so stimulating them both for preventing a cold and even when you catch a cold can make you feel better. Using these Acupressure points can enable your internal organ to function at optimal levels and uplift your body’s ability to cope with colds and flus.

Colds are caused by viruses that thrive in your nose and throat when the temperature, acidity, and moisture suit them. When you are run down and your resistance is low, your ability to adapt to environmental changes weakens, making it easier to catch a cold, and the mucous membranes become a perfect breeding ground for viruses.

Cold symptoms are the body’s attempt to protect itself from these intruders. When a virus enters your nose, for instance, the body secretes more mucus to flush it away.

How Acupressure Works on Colds & Flus

Because Acupressure stimulates your body to expel the virus more quickly, it may seem at first that your cold is worsening. But your body is simply progressing through the symptoms faster than usual.

Although Acupressure cannot cure a cold, working on certain points can help you get better more quickly. Acupressure can also help increase your resistance to future colds.

Acupressure Case Study

Recently, one of my best friends, a realtor, was suffering from a bad cold with a stuffy nose, a hacking cough, puffiness around his eyes, and a pallid complexion. He hadn’t slept well the previous two nights because of these discomforts and was very tired.

After I briefly massaged his upper back, shoulders, neck, and chest, I showed him how to press the decongestion points underneath the base of his skull and on his face. I also told him to drink ginger tea at least twice a day.

When I saw John the next day, he told me he had slept soundly and felt much more refreshed. His eyes looked much clearer, and already he was no longer coughing and blowing his nose.

In this article, you’ll find a routine with Self-Acupressure Exercises for Colds & Flu,
an Acupressure Point for Seasonal Changes, and details on Potent Points for Relieving Colds & Flu.

Acupressure Points for Seasonal Changes

Potent points B 36, B 37 and B 38 are especially good for stimulating the body’s natural resistance to colds and flu. It’s located near the spine, off the tips of the shoulder blades. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, wind and cold enter the pores of the skin at these points. The muscles in this upper back area tend to get tense just before a cold or flu takes hold.

Colds & Flu Acupressure Points

Drilling Bamboo (B 2)

Location: In the indentations of the eye sockets, on either side of where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows.

Benefits: Relieves colds, sinus congestion, frontal headaches, and tired eyes.

Welcoming Perfume (LI 20)

Location: On either cheek, just outside each nostril.

Benefits: Relieves nasal congestion, sinus pain, facial paralysis, and facial swelling.

Facial Beauty (St 3)

Location: At the bottom of the cheekbone below the pupil.

Benefits: Relieves stuffy nose, head congestion, burning eyes, eye fatigue, and eye pressure.

Joining the Valley (Hoku) (LI 4)

Caution: This point is forbidden for pregnant women because its stimulation can cause premature contractions in the uterus.

Location: At the highest spot of the muscle on the back of the hand that protrudes when the thumb and index finger are close together.

Benefits: Relieves colds, flu, head congestion, constipation, and headaches.

Crooked Pond (LI 11)

Location: At the outer end of the elbow crease.

Benefits: Relieves cold symptoms, fever, constipation, and elbow pain; strengthens the immune system.

Wind Mansion (GV 16)

Location: In the center of the back of the head, in the large hollow under the base of the skull.

Benefits: Relieves head congestion, red eyes, mental stress, headaches, and stiff neck.

Gates of Consciousness (GB 20)

Location: Below the base of the skull, in the hollows on both sides, two to three inches apart depending on the size of the head.

Benefits: Relieves headaches, head congestion, arthritis, neck pain, and irritability.

Heavenly Pillar (B 10)

Location: One-half inch below the base of the skull, on the ropy muscles one-half inch outward from the spine.

Benefits: Relieves pain, stress, exhaustion, stiff necks, and sore throats.

Third Eye Point (GV 24.5)

Location: Directly between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the center of your forehead.

Benefits: Relieves head congestion, stuffy nose, and headaches.

Elegant Mansion (K 27)

Location: In the hollow below the collarbone next to the breastbone.

Benefits: Relieves chest congestion, breathing difficulties, coughing, and sore throats.

How to do Acupressure for Colds & Flu

You do not have to use all of these Self-Acupressure Colds & Flu points.
Using just one or two of them whenever you have a free hand can be effective.

Step 1

Press into B 2: Use your thumbs on the upper ridge of your eye socket to press into the slight hollow near the bridge of your nose for one minute. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, letting the weight of your head relax forward onto your thumbs.

Step 2

Press St 3 and LI 20: Place both of your middle fingers beside your nostrils and your index fingers next to them. Gradually press up and underneath the cheekbones for one minute. You can easily teach this step to your child to help relieve nasal congestion.

Step 3

Press both LI 11: Bend your arm and place your thumb at the end of the elbow crease on the outside of your forearm. Curve your fingers to press firmly into the elbow joint for one minute. Repeat on your opposite arm.

Step 4

Press LI 4 firmly: Spread your left thumb and index finger apart. Place your right thumb in the webbing on the back of your left hand and your fingertips on the palm directly behind your thumb. Firmly squeeze your thumb and index finger of your right hand together to press into the webbing. Angle the pressure toward the bone that connects with your left index finger, and hold for one minute. Then switch hands. NOTE: Do not use this points if you are pregnant.

Step 5

Firmly press GB 20: Now close your eyes and place your thumbs underneath the base of your skull, two to three inches apart. Slowly tilt your head back and apply pressure gradually, holding the position for one minute to fully release these important cold-relief points.

Step 6

Firmly press GV 16: Place the tips of your middle fingers into the hollow in the center of the base of your skull. Keeping your fingers on the point, inhale as you tilt your head back and exhale as you relax your head forward. Continue to slowly rock your head back and forward, and breathe deeply while you hold this important point for relieving head congestion.

Step 7

Touch the GV 24.5: Bring your palms together and use your middle and index fingers to lightly touch the Third Eye point, located between your eyebrows. Breathe deeply as you hold this point for balancing your endocrine system.

Step 8

Firmly press K 27: Place your fingertips on the protrusions of your collarbone, then slide your fingers down and outward into the first indentation in between the bones. Press into this hollow as you breathe deeply and visualize the congestion clearing.