Acupuncture, a modality of traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. There are many acupuncture pressure points for congestion, and an acupuncturists chooses the points for each patient based on their individual needs. In a report published in "Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" in 2011, four main acupuncture points were shown to be effective in treating congestion. Consult your doctor before using acupuncture to make sure you receive the best treatment.
LI 20 — Ying Xiang
Located at the base of each nostril in the smile line, LI 20 is a popular acupuncture point used to treat a variety of nasal and sinus issues. These include sinusitis, nasal polyps and allergies in addition to congestion. Its Chinese name, “Ying Xiang,” means “Welcome Fragrance” in English. It lies on the long intestine meridian, at the intersection with the stomach meridian. In the 2011 study, researchers used electroacupuncture at both LI 20 points.
LI 4 — He Gu
In English, the Chinese name “He Gu” translates to “Union Valley.” Like LI 20, LI 4 lies on the energy channel associated with the large intestine. It is located on the hand, but it affects the face, jaw, and nose. Its use is thought to strengthen “qi,” or vital energy, in the body, strengthening the immune system. Aside from treating congestion, LI 4 is used to treat chronic pain and headaches, along with acne, toothaches and eye issues. This point should not be needled during pregnancy, as it can affect labor.
GV 23 — Shang Xing
Find GV 23 on top of the head, near the anterior hairline. Point No. 23 on the Governing Vessel meridian, GV 23’s Chinese name is “Shang Xing.” In English, this name means “Upper Star.” Acupuncturists use GV 23 as a main point for nasal problems, including congestion and rhinitis. Sinus headaches, eye issues, and cervical disk problems may also be treated with this acupuncture pressure point.
EX — Bitong
Bitong is known as an “extra” acupuncture point, meaning that it is not associated with any particular meridian. It can be found at the highest point of the smile line, on either side of the nose. The English translation of the Chinese name “Bitong” is “Nose Opening,” referring to this point’s action on nasal issues. In addition to congestion, this point can be used to treat sinusitis, nasal obstructions, and rhinitis.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture - an Introduction
- “Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine”; Acupuncture Treatment of a Patient with Persistent Allergic Rhinitis Complicated by Rhinosinusitis and Asthma; Ae-Ran Kim, et al.; February 2011
- Yin Yang House: LI 20 Acupuncture Point - Ying Xiang - Large Intestine Meridian
- Yin Yang House: LI 4 Acupuncture Point - He Gu - Large Intestine Meridian
- Yin Yang House: GV 23 Acupuncture Point - Shang Xing - Governing Vessel Meridian
- Yin Yang House: (EX) Bitong Acupuncture Point
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