Persistent cough frequently follows an upper respiratory infection
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for cough
Experience The Power of Touch with Point of Cure Acupuncture & Electromedicine
Lingering Cough
Recently, a colleague of mine asked me about the best acupuncture points for treating post-viral cough. I saw an opportunity to share insights through this blog post.
Persistent cough frequently follows an upper respiratory (viral) infection. While initially serving as a protective mechanism during the acute phase of infection, once the illness subsides, coughing does little good but irritates the lungs and, quite frankly, the people around.
Inflammation of the airways and excess mucus production can directly stimulate cough receptors, leaving them in a hypersensitive state. Additionally, unrelenting coughing can be perpetuated by the secretions draining from the nasopharynx (postnasal drip) or acid reflux from the esophagus.
Common Cough Remedies
Treating lingering cough requires quieting inflammation in the respiratory mucosa and modulating the nervous system.
Symptomatic treatment typically involves oral antihistamines (to reduce postnasal drip), benzonatate (vagal anesthesia), dextromethorphan (centrally acting antitussive), inhaled ipratropium bromide (anticholinergic), and/or steroid (anti-inflammatory). Some physicians may even resort to a brief course of oral corticosteroids.
Acupuncture – Natural Option
An ever-increasing number of folks are turning to acupuncture.
Acupuncture, an ancient healing art rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy pathways, or meridians. By restoring balance and harmony within the body, acupuncture aims to enhance the body's natural healing mechanisms.
According to TCM, a persistent post-infectious cough is associated with deficient Yin “Fluids” burned out during the active infection.
By regulating the flow of Qi, or vital energy, acupuncture helps to strengthen the lungs, boost the immune system, and promote respiratory function. In addition to acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal medicine may also be incorporated into the treatment plan.
Research studies have provided evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture in treating respiratory conditions. Acupuncture has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which can be particularly beneficial in the context of post-viral cough.
Point Selection
My favorite points for treating dry lingering cough are as follows:
Head:
GV 20
Location: Top of the head
Innervation: Greater occipital nerve (C2)
TCM: “Calming” point
Modern View: General anti-inflammatory effect
Chest/Neck:
CV 22
Location: Front of the neck, in the middle, in the depression right above the chest bone.
Innervation: Supraclavicular nerve (C3-C4)
TCM: Descends “Rebellious Qi”
Modern View: Laryngopharyngeal reflux reduction
LI 18
Location: Side of the neck, level with the 4th cervical vertebra
Innervation: Great auricular nerve (C2-C3), lesser occipital nerve (C2), accessory nerve (CN 11)
TCM: Descend Rebellious Lung Qi (throat action)
Modern View: Desensitizing throat
Back:
BL12/13, GV 14/EX-B1
Location: Along the spine, in the C7-T3 area
Innervation: Dorsal ramus of corresponding spinal nerves
TCM: Nourish and descend Lung Qi
Modern View: HPA axis modulation (anti-inflammatory), bronchodilation (β2-adrenergic)
Upper Extremity:
LU 7
Location: Radial side of the wrist
Innervation: Musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7), radial nerve (C5-C8)
TCM: Calm the Lungs
Modern View: Antitussive
PC 6
Location: Inner side of the wrist
Innervation: Median nerve
TCM: Open the Chest
Modern View: Suppression of cough reflex
Lower Extremity:
ST 36
Location: Below the knee
Innervation: Deep peroneal nerve (L4-L5)
TCM: Tonify Yin Qi
Modern View: Parasympathetic (vagal) modulation, general anti-inflammatory effect
SP 6
Location: Above the ankle
Innervation: Tibial nerve (L4–S2)
TCM: Balance Yin and Blood
Modern View: As ST 36 above, vagal neuroimmunomodulation, anti-inflammatory effect
KD 3
Location: Inner ankle
Innervation: Posterior tibial nerve (L4-S2)
TCM: Nourish Yin, Clear deficiency Heat
Modern View: To be discovered
The Bottom Line
Don’t reach for antibiotics … yet! First, try simple over-the-counter cough remedies. Honey (the real one) works fine too. Maybe even ask your doctor for Medrol 6-day Dosepak. Or, if you are a holistically minded person, visit Point of Cure Acupuncture and Electromedicine for a gentle yet powerful healing session.
References
Braman S. S. (2006). Postinfectious cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest, 129(1 Suppl), 138S–146S. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.129.1_suppl.138S
Hsieh, P. C., Cheng, C. F., Wu, C. W., Tzeng, I. S., Kuo, C. Y., Hsu, P. S., Lee, C. T., Yu, M. C., & Lan, C. C. (2020). Combination of Acupoints in Treating Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Apriori Algorithm-Based Association Rule Analysis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2020, 8165296. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8165296
Li, N., Guo, Y., Gong, Y., Zhang, Y., Fan, W., Yao, K., Chen, Z., Dou, B., Lin, X., Chen, B., Chen, Z., Xu, Z., & Lyu, Z. (2021). The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture from Acupoint to Target Organs via Neuro-Immune Regulation. Journal of inflammation research, 14, 7191–7224. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S341581
Mao, D., Deng, Y., Zhang, L., Zhao, Y., Li, Y., & Wang, F. (2020). Effect of acupuncture on chronic bronchitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 99(24), e20676. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000020676
May, G., & May, M. M. (2022). A Possible Treatment for Persistent Cough Status Post-pulmonary Carcinoid Tumor Resection. Cureus, 14(5), e25499. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.25499
Nurwati, I., Purwanto, B., Mudigdo, A., Saputra, K., Prasetyo, D. H., & Muthmainah, M. (2019). Improvement in inflammation and airway remodelling after acupuncture at BL13 and ST36 in a mouse model of chronic asthma. Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 37(4), 228–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964528418818705
Tu, H., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Assessment of Acupoint Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Cough Variant Asthma: A Meta-analysis. BioMed research international, 2022, 4168308. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4168308
Wang, G. X., Zhou, J., Chen, Y. M., Xu, L. D., Tao, S. M., Ma, J., Sun, Y. H., Wu, M. S., Chen, Z. W., Zhu, Y. F., & Xie, M. R. (2023). Mechanism of electroacupuncture at acupoints of the lung meridian through PKA/PKC regulation of TRPV1 in chronic cough after lung surgery in guinea pigs. Journal of thoracic disease, 15(4), 1848–1860. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-23-409
Xiong, J., Qi, W., Yang, H., Zou, S., Kong, J., Wang, C., Zhou, Y., & Liang, F. (2021). Acupuncture Treatment for Cough-Variant Asthma: A Meta-Analysis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2021, 6694936. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6694936
