AcuiQ

Acupuncture Points for Breathing Problems

6 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Breathing Problems:

Breathing ProblemsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCopdDyspneaCopd Acute ExacerbationAsthma

Points cited for Breathing Problems

How often each point appears across the 6 entries ranked highest for Breathing Problems. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL13Lung Shu PointBladder Meridian5 of 6
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel4 of 6
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel3 of 6
  • LU09Great SourceLung Meridian3 of 6
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian3 of 6
  • ST40Abundant BulgeStomach Meridian3 of 6
  • XB01AAsthma RestExtra Points: Back3 of 6
  • XB01BRelieve DyspnoeaExtra Points: Back3 of 6
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel2 of 6
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian2 of 6
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL20Spleen Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

67%

ST16 · ST18 · ST25 · ST40 · CV04 · CV12 · CV17

Breathing ProblemsCopdDyspneaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Point 1 of 7

ST16Breast Window

ST16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膺窗 (yīng chuāng)

🎯 Location: In the 3rd intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Risk of pneumothorax; avoid deep needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Chest Fullness, Breast Abscess, Chills

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101117 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST40, CV12, CV17 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗

Protocol (12 points)

67%

LU01 · LU09 · LI18 · ST36 · BL10 · BL13 · BL20 · BL23 · KD03 · CV04 · CV12 · CV17

Breathing ProblemsCopdDyspneaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Point 1 of 12

LU01Central Mansion

LU01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中府 (zhōng fǔ)

🎯 Location: Laterosuperior to the sternum 1 thumb width below LU02 at the level of the 1st intercostal space 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle obliquely or laterally, never deeply or medially – risk of pneumothorax.

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

Study-reported

Needling · 48 sessions over 52 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1183/23120541.00668-2024 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, ST36, BL13, CV12, CV17 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

67%

LU09 · ST25 · ST36 · ST40 · SP15 · BL13 · CV12 · CV17 · XB01A · XB01B

Breathing ProblemsCopdDyspneaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCopd Acute Exacerbation
Point 1 of 10

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Needling · 14 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, ST36, BL13, CV12, CV17 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1183/23120541.00668-2024 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

67%

ST40 · BL13 · CV17 · CV22 · XB01A · XB01B

Breathing ProblemsCopdChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCopd Acute Exacerbation
Point 1 of 6

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 7 sessions over 7 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1879332 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST40, BL13, CV17, XB01A, XB01B also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

67%

LU09 · BL13

AsthmaWheezingBronchial AsthmaBreathing Problems
Point 1 of 2

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Needling + Moxibustion · 10 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/19336586251378193 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, BL13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1183/23120541.00668-2024 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

60%

ST36 · BL13 · XB01A · XB01B

Breathing ProblemsCopdDyspneaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCopd Stable
Point 1 of 4

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Gao J ie et al.. [Comparative research on effect of warm needling therapy on pulmonary function and life quality of patients with COPD in the stable phase].. Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion, 2011
Substantiated by a study. ST36, BL13, XB01A, XB01B also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 5 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 5
  • Electroacupuncture2 of 5
  • Moxibustion1 of 5

Sessions: the 4 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 9 to 23).

Course: the 4 studies that gave a length ran a median of 2 weeks (middle half 12 days to 102 days).

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

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