Coughing is a problem that can be due to many different things. You should not ignore it when your cough lingers for weeks or becomes disruptive to daily life. A doctor is the most qualified person to help you deal with the cough.

In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), physicians do not follow standard Western pathological classifications of disease, but rely on a complex pattern of signs and symptoms to choose remedies. The remedies are typically individualized according to the imbalance of the body measured by various parameters including yin &yang, qi (vital energy), blood and body fluids, they create comprehensive regulatory effects to the body and aim to rebuild a new internal balance.

Acupuncture can alter respiratory movements; it modulates the contraction and secretion actions of the air ways. According to TCM theory, coughing is regarded as an abnormal qi activity of the lung system that may result from external or internal origin. External origin coughs are usually due to pathogenic invasions, while internal origin coughs are due to organ dysfunctions. When designing a remedy for a cough, TCM physicians will focus on:

• Enhancing various pathogenic dispersing processes of the body;
• Promoting tissue repairing and organ functioning.

Acupuncture and moxibustion are non-medicinal alternatives for treating cough. They are effective in the early stages of a cough, or can work together with other methods for stubborn cases. With appropriate point selection and stimulating techniques, the therapies can redirect qi movement of the lungs and arrest coughing. Below are the protocols for treating coughs.

Major acupoints

fei shu (Bl 13): the back transport point of the lung meridian, it helps promote the flow of lung qi and clear accumulated pathogens. tian tu (Cv 22): an acupoint located in the throat region, it belongs to the conception vessel meridian which has a branch to connect the throat. Stimulating it effects on the local region, or the involved nearby tissues and organs.

Other assistant acupoints are selected according to specific disharmony pattern.

Wind-cold cough (Coughing with thin and white phlegm, nasal congestion, headache, chills and fever)	lie que (Lu 7): the connecting point of the lung meridian. he gu (Li 4): the source point of the large intestine meridian, it works together with lie que (Lu 7), to enhance the efficacy of lung functioning. da zhui (Gv 14): the crossing point of the yang meridians with the governor vessel meridian, it helps the body to disperse pathogens and relieve fever. feng chi (Gb 20): specializes in relieving cold symptoms like congestion, headache, runny nose and eye soreness. feng men (Bl 12): specializes in relieving symptoms like cough, fever, headache and neck stiffness. * Fei shu (Bl 13) and da zhui (Gv14) are suggested for moxibustion.
Wind-heat coughs (Coughing with yellow and thick phlegm, throat soreness, thirst, fever and headache)	qu chi (Li 11): the sea point of the large intestine meridian. chi ze (Lu 5): the sea point of the lung meridian. It works together with qu chi (Li 11) to resume the qi flow of the lungs so as to arrest coughing. shao shang (Lu 11): the well point of the lung meridian, it specializes in relieving throat soreness, fever and cough. da zhui (Gv 14): the crossing point of the yang meridians with the governor vessel meridian, it promotes the body to disperse pathogens and relieve fever. * Fei shu (Bl 13) and da zhui (Gv14) are suggested for blood-letting.
Phlegm-dampness cough (Coughing with copious white and sticky phlegm, fatigue, stuffiness in the chest and stomach, and a thick tongue coating)	pi shu (Bl 20): the back transport point of the spleen meridian, it resolves phlegm and expels dampness. feng long (St 40): the connecting point of the stomach meridian, it specializes in relieving productive cough. tai bai (Sp3): the source point of the spleen meridian, it works together with feng long (St 40) to enhance the efficacy of spleen functioning. tai yuan (Lu 9): the source point and stream point of the lung meridian. It regulates the flow of lung qi, relieves cough and shortness of breath. * All the points can be used with moxibustion.
Lung-deficient cough (A productive weak coughing with thin and white phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing, poor appetite, fatigue and sweating)	lie que (Lu 7): the connecting point of the lung meridian. tai yuan (Lu 9): the source point and stream point of the lung meridian. It regulates the flow of lung qi, relieves cough and shortness of breath. zu san li (St 36): the sea point of the stomach meridian, it promotes the spleen and stomach to produce more qi to supply the lungs. qi hai (Cv 6): a point belongs to the conception vessel meridian, it enhances the overall qi condition of the body. * All the points are suggested for moxibustion.