ACUPRESSURE · SELF-CARE · ~9 MIN READ
I'm a long-time rhinitis sufferer and a TCM practitioner. Over the years I've had many fellow sufferers do one simple thing: spend three to five minutes a day using their own fingers to rub and press a few points around the nose. It's no "technique" to brag about, but done consistently, that ever-present background hum of congestion and itch really can drop a notch.
This article lays out exactly which points, how to find them, and how to press them. One premise first, set in stone: massage is a supportive self-care tool, not a treatment, and it does not replace a clinician's in-person evaluation — we've never been fuzzy on this. What you want is to keep the nose a little more comfortable over the long run, not to "press the rhinitis away" in a few sessions.
In TCM the nose belongs to the Lung, and the area around it is crisscrossed by channels (especially the Large Intestine meridian, the Stomach meridian, and the Governing vessel). Gentle local stimulation is traditionally understood as "unblocking channel qi and opening the nasal orifices" — in plain terms, it nudges the local blood and qi to flow a bit more freely, which eases nasal turbinate swelling and fluid stagnation. It "supports movement," it doesn't "attack."
These are your daily protagonists — easy to locate, doable on yourself. The figure below marks the facial points for a quick overview.
Simplified diagram; points are bilaterally symmetric. Rely on the written descriptions for locating.
Location: beside the midpoint of the nasal ala, in the nasolabial groove (the crease where the wing of the nose meets the cheek).
Middle fingers' pads on both Yingxiang, first small circles for 30–60s, then stroke up and down along both sides of the ala 20–30 times until slightly warm and achy. The most direct point for opening the nose; reach for it first during a congestion flare.
Location: below the nasal bone, in the depression at the junction of the nasal bone and the lateral nasal cartilage (roughly mid-nose-bridge, both sides).
Index fingers' pads lightly on both sides of the mid-bridge, small up-down circles. It's Yingxiang's "neighbor partner" — one at the ala, one at the bridge; together they do more for congestion and bridge stuffiness.
Location: midpoint between the eyebrows, the small dip at the glabella.
Thumb pad on Yintang, clockwise then counterclockwise 20–30 circles. Great when the frontal sinuses feel full or the brow ridge is tight.
Location: at the brow-head depression, the supraorbital notch (where the inner end of the eyebrow starts).
Thumb tips lightly on the brow heads, small pushes toward the brow bone. Use alongside when the brow ridge is full and the eyes tired.
Location: back of the neck, below the occiput, in the depression between the upper ends of the two big ropes (sternocleidomastoid and trapezius).
Thumbs on Fengchi, other fingers cradling the back of the head, rub 1–2 min. It guards the "nape and back" border — we've said rhinitis friends should protect the nape/back and the ankles most; Fengchi is a major wind-dispelling point.
TCM says "face and mouth, gather at Hegu" and "abdomen, stay at Zusanli" — distal selection pulls qi and blood from the limbs back to support the head and face.
Location: on the back of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, roughly mid-2nd-metacarpal (easy method: press thumb and index together, the peak of the muscle bulge; or spread thumb and index, align the other thumb's crease to the web, tip lands on it).
Thumb on Hegu, press toward the index, noticeably achy. Often paired for head-face issues. ⚠️ Pregnant women must not press Hegu (traditionally it moves qi and blood; avoid strong stimulation in pregnancy).
Location: about four finger-widths (3 cun) below the outer eye of the knee, one finger-width lateral to the anterior tibial crest.
Thumb or middle finger on Zusanli, rub 1–3 min, achy is right. The number-one point for strengthening the Spleen and boosting qi — recall "the Spleen is the source of phlegm"; Spleen-type rhinitis friends (post-nasal drip, poor appetite, loose stools, teeth-marked tongue) benefit from regular pressing or moxa, building earth to generate metal from the root.
Location: on the wrist crease, at the radial artery pulse (thumb-side wrist crease where you feel the pulse).
Thumb lightly on Taiyuan, rub 1 min. The Lung channel's yuan (source) point; tonifies the Lung and secures the exterior — good for qi-deficient Lung types who are wind-averse, spontaneous sweaters, easily catch colds.
No need to do all every time; a "full version" for reference:
Yingxiang (rub+stroke 2 min) → Shangyingxiang (1 min) → Yintang (30s) → Zanzhu (30s) → Fengchi (1 min each side) → Hegu (1 min each side) → Zusanli (2 min each side) → Taiyuan (1 min each side).
Total ~10–12 min. Day to day you can do just the first three local points (3–5 min) and still get effect when rushed.
· If you're actively nosebleeding, have broken skin on the nose, or acute sinusitis with obvious red/swollen/hot/painful signs, pause local massage.
· Pregnant women: no Hegu (above).
· Children and the elderly have thin skin and lower tolerance — lighter pressure, shorter time.
· Massage is for wellness, not to "cure." If symptoms worsen repeatedly, or persistent yellow-green thick discharge with headache and fever, see a doctor — acupoints don't replace antibiotics.
· Unsure which pattern you are or whether you should press? Ask a clinician; don't force it.
Self-massage is essentially "putting the lever of care into your own hands." It's not mystical, not magic — just a gentle daily reminder to the local blood and qi around the nose. What really moves the needle is the holistic view we keep repeating: warm the nose, avoid cold, care for the Spleen, follow the solar terms, sleep earlier. The points are one piece on that board — nice to have done well, but don't expect one piece to win the whole game.
Disclaimer: This article is TCM wellness education. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or prescription. The point locations and techniques described are for self-care reference only; please consult a licensed clinician for individual situations. Pregnant women, children, and those with special health conditions should proceed under professional guidance. — Professor Bumeng, fellow long-term rhinitis sufferer and TCM practitioner.
If chronic rhinitis is wearing you down, write to me. I'll reply when I can and share daily-regulation ideas (non-diagnostic, non-prescriptive).