Cold and Flu Onset: Acupressure Points & Self-Care

The common cold is a mild infection of the nose and throat; symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, cough and headache, and most people feel better after a week or two. The flu is a respiratory infection whose symptoms come on suddenly: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Traditional use: in TCM, points such as LU-7, LI-4 and GV-14 are traditionally used for the first signs of a cold. Rest and plenty of fluids are the main self-care. Antibiotics do not help a cold. For the flu, antiviral medicines work best when started within 2 days of getting sick.

Recognizing Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing and cough
  • Body aches and headache
  • Fever or chills (flu)

Primary Points for Cold and Flu Onset

Select a point to learn more.

Additional Support Points

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Self-Care Acupressure Routines

Cold and Flu Routine (5-7 minutes)

  1. Dress warmly and find a comfortable position
  2. Press LU-7 and LI-4 for 1 minute each
  3. Firmly massage GV-14
  4. Press ST-36 for 30 seconds each leg
  5. For chills and body aches: add BL-12 and TE-5

Everyday Considerations

Self-care

  • Rest: Get lots of rest
  • Fluids: Drink plenty of fluids
  • Throat and nose: Warm salt water gargles, saline nose sprays and a humidifier can help

Prevention

  • Flu vaccine: The best way to prevent the flu is a flu vaccine every year

Pregnancy

  • Traditionally avoided during pregnancy: LU-7, LI-4. Skip these points if you are or may be pregnant.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact a health care provider for

  • Trouble breathing or fast breathing
  • A fever that lasts longer than 4 days
  • Symptoms that last more than 10 days without improvement
  • Flu if you are over 65, pregnant, have a chronic illness, or for a child under 5 or a newborn