Acupuncture Points for Asthma

42 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Asthma:

Points cited for Asthma

How often each point appears across the 49 entries ranked highest for Asthma. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL13Lung Shu PointBladder Meridian43 of 49
  • BL12Wind GateBladder Meridian16 of 49
  • GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel16 of 49
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel15 of 49
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian11 of 49
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian10 of 49
  • BL20Spleen Shu PointBladder Meridian9 of 49
  • CV22Celestial ProminenceConception Vessel9 of 49
  • LU09Great SourceLung Meridian9 of 49
  • XB01BRelieve DyspnoeaExtra Points: Back9 of 49
  • BL43Vital Region Shu PointBladder Meridian7 of 49
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian7 of 49

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

BL13 · BL15 · BL17 · BL23 · BL43 · CV17 · GV14

Point 1 of 7

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma

BL15Heart Shu Point

BL15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 心俞 (xīn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Anxiety, Sweating, Coughing Blood

BL17Diaphragm Shu Point

BL17 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膈俞 (gé shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Dizziness

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

BL43Vital Region Shu Point

BL43 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膏肓俞 (gāo huāng shū)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Phlegm, Asthma, Sweating

CV17Chest Centre

CV17 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膻中 (dàn zhōng)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – needle transversely along the sternum. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Chest Fullness

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60037-4 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL13, BL15, BL17, BL23, GV14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2023.01.013 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LU09 · ST40 · BL13 · BL23 · KD03 · TB06 · CV08

Point 1 of 7

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太淵 (tài yuān)

🎯 Location: At the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the lateral side of the radial artery.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias; avoid excessive stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Common Cold

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

TB06Branch Ditch

TB06 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 支溝 (zhī gōu)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna on the radial side of the extensor digitorum.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Tinnitus, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain

CV08Spirit Palace Gate

CV08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神闕 (shén què)

🎯 Location: In the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications; often use moxa only.

🛡️ Treats: Abdominal Bloating, Rectal Prolapse, Edema, Cold Blood, Loss of Consciousness

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60081-9 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, ST40, BL13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.01.002 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

BL12 · BL13

Point 1 of 2

BL12Wind Gate

BL12 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風門 (fēng mén)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma

Study-reported

Herbal plaster on points · 3 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nel082 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL12, BL13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0947-z ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LU09 · LU10 · LI04 · LI20 · SP03 · HT08 · GV23

Point 1 of 7

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太淵 (tài yuān)

🎯 Location: At the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the lateral side of the radial artery.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias; avoid excessive stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Common Cold

LU10Fish Border

LU10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 魚際 (yú jì)

🎯 Location: On the radial aspect of the midpoint of the 1st metacarpal bone on the junction of the red and white skin of the hand.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Anxiety, Tongue Coating Yellow, Heat Deficiency

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

LI20Receiving Fragrance

LI20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 迎香 (yíng xiāng)

🎯 Location: In the nasolabial groove at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; proximity to facial artery.

🛡️ Treats: Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Heat, Wind, Numbness

SP03Great White

SP03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太白 (tài bái)

🎯 Location: Proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Knee Pain, Constipation, Heat, Vomiting

HT08Lesser Mansion

HT08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少府 (shào fǔ)

🎯 Location: When palm faces upward, point is between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones; when fist is made point is where tip of the little finger rests.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Anxiety, Palpitations, Qi Deficiency, Common Cold

GV23Upper Star

GV23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上星 (shàng xīng)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Depression, Wind, Redness, Swelling, Malaria

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU10, LI04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60063-5 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

BL13 · BL43 · CV17 · CV22

Point 1 of 4

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma

BL43Vital Region Shu Point

BL43 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膏肓俞 (gāo huāng shū)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Phlegm, Asthma, Sweating

CV17Chest Centre

CV17 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膻中 (dàn zhōng)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – needle transversely along the sternum. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Chest Fullness

CV22Celestial Prominence

CV22 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天突 (tiān tū)

🎯 Location: In the center of the suprasternal fossa.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; caution with trachea.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Coughing Blood

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL13, BL43, CV17 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60037-4 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

BL13 · BL43 · CV14 · CV22

Point 1 of 4

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma

BL43Vital Region Shu Point

BL43 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膏肓俞 (gāo huāng shū)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Phlegm, Asthma, Sweating

CV14Great Palace Gate

CV14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 巨闕 (jù què)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 6 thumb widths above the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle obliquely downwards and shallowly – deep or upward needling risks the heart and liver. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Phlegm, Palpitations, Jaundice

CV22Celestial Prominence

CV22 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天突 (tiān tū)

🎯 Location: In the center of the suprasternal fossa.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; caution with trachea.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Coughing Blood

Study-reported

Herbal plaster on points · 3 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2015/896247 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL13, BL43, CV22 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Hot Spots™ Press Needles
Sterile 1.5mm press needles on 3M backing tape · 100 per box
$19.99
per box · choose the quantity at checkout
Ears, Eyes and Airway
Tinnitus is the third most-searched symptom on AcuiQ. Six conditions. – $5, free updates for life

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Asthma and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

BL13 · BL20 · BL23 · KD01 · CV17 · CV22 – doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1854540

How the studies delivered it

What the 27 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling9 of 27
  • Herbal plaster on points7 of 27
  • Moxibustion5 of 27
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 27
  • Cupping1 of 27
  • Thread embedding1 of 27

Sessions: the 8 studies that gave a count ran a median of 6 (middle half 3 to 11).

Course: the 8 studies that gave a length ran a median of 3 weeks (middle half 2 weeks to 5 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.