Part of the Jin Shin Jyutsu A-Z Index
Key Tips to Ease Cough and Chest Congestion
What this post covers:
- How Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help holds can ease coughing and clear chest congestion naturally.
- Why balancing the breath (the exhale and the inhale) is fundamental to respiratory relief.
- Simple self help holds and flows; from lung energy sequences to ring finger holds, that you can do anytime, anywhere.
- Links to more in-depth guides so you can explore these practices in more detail.
Watch the Video
How Jin Shin Jyutsu supports your breath
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a universal art which has its origins in Japan. It is also commonly described as ‘an ancient healing art’. It is based on harmonising the body’s energy through gentle hand placements on specific parts of the body. By supporting the flow of energy, Jin Shin Jyutsu helps the body come back to balance and let go of stuck patterns – including congestion and cough-related tension.
Clearing the chest and easing Cough
1. A Simple Lung Energy Sequence
When coughing and chest congestion arise, stagnation in the lung energy often plays a role. A quick, effective Jin Shin Jyutsu flow can support this energy and ease discomfort.
Try this sequence:
Place the left hand on left last rib and place the right hand on base of left collarbone, then
Keep the left hand on left last rib and place the right hand on the back of the left upper arm
(if it is difficult to do this then just place the tips of the fingers on the front of the upper arm), then
Keep the left hand on left last rib and
tuck the right fingers onto the left base of thumb.
You can work this sequence on both left and right sides of the body. Even holding just one of these positions for a few minutes can bring noticeable relief.
Learn more and see the step-by-step visuals for this exercise – go to Ease Cough and Chest Congestion with Jin Shin Jyutsu
2. Balance the Breath
In Jin Shin Jyutsu, breathing fully – both letting go (exhale) and receiving (inhale) – is essential for clearing the chest. Mary Burmeister, one of the great teachers of this Universal Art, described this principle vividly:
“Exhale to unload all dirt, dust and greasy grime. Inhale to receive an abundance of fresh, pure energy.”
A simple hold that supports this process is:
Left hand over left shoulder and Right hand just under left collarbone
Hold for 3 to 5 minutes or until there is relief.
Switch the hands for the other side.
This and other breath-balancing practices are detailed in the post Clear the Chest and Breathe More Easily.
3. Finger Holds – Quick Respiratory Support
A beautifully simple self-help in Jin Shin Jyutsu is to hold the ring fingers. Each finger in Jin Shin Jyutsu correlates to organ energies and emotional states, or attitudes. The ring finger is associated with lung energy and grief, both of which influence breathing.
To practice:
Wrap left hand around right ring finger, relax and breathe. Then switch sides.
You can also try the mudra where the thumb rests on the ring fingernail of each hand. This can be a calming support when breathing feels shallow or congested.
Learn more in The Ring Fingers in Jin Shin Jyutsu: Breathe More Deeply.
Why this helps: Finger holds can harmonise both emotional tension and energetic blockages that often accompany shallow breathing and persistent cough.
4. Simple Hold to Clear the Chest
When there is the irritation of a cough, holding the upper arms (called High 19s) can ease vocal strain and respiratory tension. This is one of my favourite self help holds in Jin Shin Jyutsu which has carried me through many discomforts.
Just cross the arms, then place left hand on right upper arm and place right hand on left upper arm. Hold for a few minutes, or until there is relief.
For broader support during colds or flu (including sore throats and immune boosting), there are complementary self-help holds that tie into respiratory comfort. See the Jin Shin Jyutsu A-Z Index for Everyday Ailments
Want to practice Jin Shin Jyutsu regularly?
If you’d like to deepen your Jin Shin Jyutsu practice, I offer weekly group sessions where people from around the world come together to explore harmonising exercises in a supportive space. Each week brings a new focus and a shared sense of calm. Learn more here: Jin Shin Jyutsu Group Practice.