Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but a practitioner stimulates specific points on your body without needles. Different techniques are utilized in an acupressure session, from gentle taps or pressure to rubbing or Tui Na -- a form of massage. Stimulating certain points on your face and body may help relieve sinus congestion and make breathing easier. Points along the chest and arms can also improve lung function. Talk to your doctor before trying acupressure.
Lung Function
In traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs play a vital role in creating qi, or energy. The lungs are the "master" of qi because they transport essence and energy to the other organs, and remove waste -- i.e. carbon dioxide. The lungs open into the throat, mouth and nose, which can become obstructed and hinder normal respiration. Weak lung function due to illness or injury can also make breathing difficult, and affect your energy level. Your practitioner may select acupressure points in the area of discomfort -- like your nose or chest -- as well as points farther away, depending on your symptoms.
Congestion and Nasal Discharge
To relieve congestion or a runny nose, your practitioner may stimulate or massage certain points on your face. Bladder point two is located at the inner point of each eyebrow. Stimulating this point may help relieve colds, sinus congestion, frontal headaches and tired eyes. For a stuffy nose or head congestion, stomach point three may be pressed. Located at the bottom of your cheekbone, in line with your pupil, this point sits near large intestine 20, another effective point for relieving nasal congestion. Pressing one finger into stomach three and another into large intestine 20 -- which is at the outside edge of each nostril -- may improve your breathing.
Difficulty Breathing
If your breathing trouble isn't related to congestion or a runny nose, stimulating points along your chest and arms may improve your symptoms. Lung points two and five are used to relieve shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and breathing difficulty. Extending your arm forward will create a triangular hollow just below your collar bone. Lung two is found in this hollow. Lung five is located on the elbow crease, to the outside of the tendon that pops up when the elbow is bent.
Supporting Research
The use of acupressure and acupuncture is gaining popularity; however, supporting research for its use with nasal congestion and breathing difficulty is limited. One study, published in March 2006 in the "American Journal of Rhinology," found that acupuncturists who treated patients for rhinitis -- inflammation of the nasal passages -- saw favorable results. Though promising, conventional treatment from a physician is also recommended. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms before your acupressure appointment.
