Acupuncture points for bronchitis focus on the chest, upper back, and arms — the areas Chinese medicine links most closely to the Lung. At Acupuncture Zen in Delray Beach, Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P., uses these points to support comfort while the body recovers, always alongside a physician’s care.
Acute bronchitis — often called a chest cold — usually follows a cold or flu. According to the CDC, it typically improves on its own, though the cough can linger for up to three weeks. For a broader overview, see the clinic’s bronchitis page.
How Chinese Medicine Views Bronchitis
Chinese medicine sees bronchitis as the Lung struggling to send breath and fluids downward. As a result, phlegm builds up and the breath rises as cough. Practitioners often separate a cold pattern, with clear or white phlegm and chills, from a heat pattern, with yellow phlegm and a sore throat. The points chosen shift with the pattern.
Acupuncture Points for Bronchitis on the Chest and Throat
Several key points sit directly over the chest and throat.
- Tanzhong (CV 17) — at the center of the breastbone. It is traditionally used to open the chest and ease tightness.
- Tiantu (CV 22) — in the notch just above the breastbone. It is a classic point for cough and a scratchy throat.
Gentle cupping on the chest or upper back is often paired with these points. In addition, it may help relax the breathing muscles after days of coughing. Cupping marks are normal and usually fade within a few days.
Acupuncture Points for Bronchitis on the Upper Back
The upper back holds the “Shu” points, which Chinese medicine connects to each organ.
- Feishu (BL 13) — beside the spine at the level of the third thoracic vertebra. It is the main Lung point on the back.
- Fengmen (BL 12) — one vertebra higher. Its name means “Wind Gate,” and it is used when a cold has settled into the chest.
- Dazhui (GV 14) — below the prominent bone at the base of the neck, often used with fever or chills.
Chest cupping at The 1st Teaching Hospital — Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
Acupuncture Points for Bronchitis on the Arms and Legs
The Lung channel runs along the inner arm, so several points lie there.
- Kongzui (LU 6) — on the forearm, about a third of the way from elbow to wrist. It is traditionally used for acute cough.
- Chize (LU 5) — in the elbow crease, used to clear heat and phlegm.
- Lieque (LU 7) — just above the wrist on the thumb side, used when symptoms begin with a cold.
- Fenglong (ST 40) — on the outer lower leg. It is the classic point for clearing phlegm.
Several of these points also appear in acupuncture points for asthma, since both conditions involve the Lung.
What the Research Shows
It is important to be honest here. No high-quality trial has yet shown that acupuncture shortens acute bronchitis. Instead, acupuncture is used to support comfort — easing chest tightness, coughing fatigue, and the stress of being sick. For that reason, it works best alongside rest, fluids, and any care your physician recommends.
When to See a Doctor
Acute bronchitis usually clears on its own. However, see a physician promptly for a fever above 100.4°F, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, or symptoms lasting more than three weeks. Likewise, anyone with asthma, COPD, or heart disease should check with their doctor early. Acupuncture is never a substitute for medical evaluation.
What to Expect at Your Visit
The first visit begins with questions about your cough, phlegm, and how the illness started. Treatment then takes place in a calm setting, often lying face down for the back points, then face up for the chest and arms. Many patients find sessions relaxing, and results vary from person to person.
Struggling with a lingering chest cold? Call Acupuncture Zen at 561-633-3537 to schedule a visit in Delray Beach.
Peace and Blessings,
Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P.
