Acupressure uses the ancient Chinese acupuncture points along energy meridians, but instead of inserting needles, uses the pressure from fingers or thumbs to unblock energy channels.
You can use one or two or all of them when you have a headache and unblock the channels of your body or use them on another person with a headache.
In many cases, headaches come from tension, tight muscles, filled sinuses and hormonal imbalances. The acupressure massage can help relieve many of these problems.
How to Locate the Acupressure Points and Apply Pressure
When you push the acupressure points, you may feel…
- A slight indentation
- Tightness
- Dull pain
How to apply pressure
- Do not use your nails. Use the meaty part of your fingertips.
- Breathe out while applying the pressure. Do not hold your breath.
- If you feel extreme pain, listen to your body and practice gradually.
1
Starting at the Top, the Third Eye
Location : Your third eye is located where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead, right between the eyebrows. If you suffer from sinus problems, have hay fever or eyestrain, putting pressure on this point with your thumb can be extremely effective. Pressure on this point is also good for balancing the pituitary gland, ulcers and indigestion.
2
Moving Between the Eyes to the Acupressure Point, Drilling Bamboo
Pressing on this area is often an automatic response to eyestrain.
Location : There are two points, one on each side of the nose on the inside of the hollows of the eyes.
If you have allergies, often putting a bit of pressure here can help relieve the congestion and headache that comes with it. Pressing on this point can relieve sinus pain, as well as headaches and eyestrain. You can often feel immediate relief by pressing it.
3
Welcoming Perfume or the Facial Beauty Point Helps with Many Problems
If you have a toothache, eyestrain, nasal or head congestion, applying pressure here can help.
Location : You’ll find it located at the base of the cheekbone, directly under the pupil of the eye. It’s easy to find if you follow the bottom of the cheekbone to the lowest point.
4
The Wind Mansion Relieves Mental Strain and Insomnia, While Helping Headaches
Location : The location of the wind mansion is right at the base of the skull in the middle of the neck. It’s at the top of the hollow created where the skull attaches. This also helps vertigo and stiff necks.
5
Pressure on the Gates of Consciousness Can Even Help TMJ
Location : At one time dentists and oral surgeons used mouth braces and surgery to correct TMJ. More recent studies show that the headaches and jaw pains can be relieved with massage or pressure applied to the muscles at the back of the head or scalp.
Two pressure points that help are directly on the muscle right beside the Wind Mansion points. Putting pressure here can help relieve pain in the throat, ears, nose and eyes, while also reducing the pain from TMJ, stiff necks and headaches. It also works for arthritis.
6
Heavenly Pillar Is Right below the Gates of Consciousness
Location : If you follow the same muscle down from the Gates of Consciousness you’ll find the Heavenly Pillar points. Just like the Gates of Consciousness, putting pressure on this area can bring relief from stiff necks, stress, TMJ, eyestrain and headaches.
7
Massaging the Webbing of the Hand
Location : This acupressure point is also used to stimulate uterine contractions and isn’t safe for pregnant women, due to the potential for early delivery. It’s located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger, all the way from the base of the thumb up to the top of the webbing.
You can put pressure on this area by placing your thumb on the inside of the opposite hand and the index finger on the outside. It helps relieve migraine pain, headaches, and toothaches. It also reduces the pain of labor.
8
Bigger Rushing Is on the Foot
When the muscles in your feet are tight, you may not notice it, but that congestion of your life force can cause headaches.
Location : By putting pressure on the acupressure point on the top of the foot, in the dip between the big toe—first toe—and second toe, you’ll get relief from headaches, allergies, arthritis and even eye fatigue. One friend swears that he presses this area to get rid of a hangover.
9
Back Pain, Headaches and Hip Pain Are Relieved by Pressure on Above the Tears
Location : There’s a groove between the fourth and fifth toes on the top of your foot created by the bones coming from the toes. Start at the webbing between the toes and follow this groove an inch or so toward the ankle. Put pressure on the area for all types of pain from arthritis to migraines.
