Short of Breath & Catching Every Cold? It Could Be Lung Qi Deficiency.

What is "Lung Qi Deficiency"?

In Chinese Medicine, your Lungs do more than just breathe. They are the "Prime Minister," in charge of governing your body's overall energy (Qi). They also create and command a special type of energy called Wei Qi, which is your body's "Protective Shield."

This invisible shield circulates just under your skin and acts as your first line of defence against external influences like colds, flus, wind, and pollen. It's like your personal bodyguard.

"Lung Qi Deficiency" simply means that the power source for your Lungs and your Protective Shield is running low. When your Lung Qi is weak, your bodyguard is tired and your shield has gaps in it.

This can happen due to a constitutional tendency, long-term grief or sadness (the emotion of the Lungs), poor posture, or a lingering illness that never fully resolved.

When your Lung Qi is deficient, you might experience:

  • Breathing & Voice: A weak cough, slight shortness of breath (especially when you exert yourself), and a soft, weak voice. You may not feel like talking much.
  • Immunity: You catch colds or flus easily. Illnesses tend to linger.
  • Energy: General tiredness and fatigue.
  • Sweating: A tendency to sweat during the day with very little exertion (your "shield" can't properly control your pores).
  • Appearance: A pale or bright-white complexion.

Your acupressure treatment was designed to directly tonify your Lungs and recharge the power to your Protective Shield.

Lifestyle Advice: Fortify Your Shield

The key is to gently build your energy, support your breathing, and protect yourself from the elements.

1. The Power of Your Breath:
This is the most direct way to strengthen your Lungs.

  • Practice Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing: Sit comfortably. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. As you inhale slowly through your nose, focus on letting your belly expand like a balloon. As you exhale slowly, let your belly fall. Your chest should stay relatively still. Just 5-10 minutes of this a day is a powerful exercise for your Lungs.

2. Eat to Build Your Qi:
Your Lungs rely on your digestive system (the Spleen) to create Qi.

  • Favour Warm, Cooked Foods: Soups, stews, and porridges are easy to digest and transform into energy.
  • Incorporate Lung-Supportive Foods:
    • Root Vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash.
    • Grains: Rice and oats are particularly good.
    • Fruits: Pears are wonderful for moistening and supporting the Lungs.
    • A Little Pungent Flavour: Onions, garlic, and ginger can help circulate Lung Qi, but use them in moderation.
  • Reduce Phlegm-Producing Foods: Limit dairy products and excessive sweets, as these can create dampness that further bogs down the Lungs.

3. Protect Yourself:

  • Wear a Scarf: This is a classic and highly effective piece of Chinese Medicine advice. Keep your neck and upper chest covered in cold or windy weather to protect your Lungs from invasion.
  • Avoid Drafts: Be mindful of sitting in a direct draft from a window or air conditioner.

4. Gentle, Rhythmic Movement:

  • Strenuous exercise can further deplete your Lung Qi.
  • Choose Gentle Activities: Walking, Tai Chi, and Qigong are perfect. They encourage deep, coordinated breathing and help to build Qi without causing exhaustion.

5. Acupressure at Home:
This pair of points is a classic combination for strengthening Lung Qi.

  • Lung 9 (Taiyuan - "Great Abyss"): The Source Point of the Lung channel, a master point for tonifying the Lungs.
    • Location: On your inner wrist crease, in the depression just to the thumb-side of your radial artery (where you feel your pulse).
    • How to: Apply gentle, steady pressure for 1-2 minutes.
  • Stomach 36 (Zusanli - "Leg Three Miles"): A supreme point for building the body's overall Qi, which provides the foundation for strong Lungs.
    • Location: On the outside of your lower leg, four of your own finger-widths down from the bottom of your kneecap, and one finger-width out from the crest of your shin bone.
    • How to: Apply firm pressure for 1-2 minutes.

By consciously protecting and nourishing your Lungs, you can rebuild your Protective Shield and feel more resilient and energetic.