6 effective acupressure points for migraines and headaches

Migraines and headaches are two of the most common pains that people experience. If you want to relieve your headache or migraine, apply acupressure on the following regions listed below.

Forehead region – The points located in the face and forehead are yang pints which are full of energy, coming from the head and face and flowing downwards. This region includes two points - the third eye and bright light points. The third eye point is found between the eyebrows where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead. Apply pressure to this point for a minute to improve concentration, ease eye strain, headaches, and ulcer pains. Meanwhile, the bright light point is located in the inner corner of the eyes under the eyebrows. Press these points for a minute on both sides to relieve sinus headaches and allergy symptoms and improve eyesight.

Temple region – The temple region has a chain of points that surround the ear from the top of the head and is located one finger width from the ear. Pressing these points helps ease temporal headaches on the sides of the head and migraines.

Face region – In this region, you will find the welcome fragrance points which are located on each side of the nostrils. Apply pressure on these points to open the sinuses and lessen tension headaches.

Neck region – The points found in this region are the wind pool, shoulder well, and heaven’s pillar. The wind pool point can be found at the back of the head between the ear and spine or between the two muscles that come together. This point helps clear nasal congestion, alleviate pain in the eyes, ears, and throat, and relieve headaches and migraines. Meanwhile, the shoulder well point is situated at the tip of the shoulder, between the point of the shoulder and the base of the neck. This point helps lessen neck and shoulder stiffness, and relieve neck pain, asthma, and spasms. Lastly, the heaven’s pillar is placed two fingers under the base of the skull on the rope-like muscles on both sides of the spine. Press this point to ease pains at the back of the head and neck, and alleviate eyestrain, stress, insomnia, and stiff neck.

Hands – There is also a pressure point in the hand region, particularly in the web between the thumb and index finger, called union valley. When pressure is applied in this point, back pain, frontal headaches, and toothaches will be eased. Applying pressure to this point will also release tension from the neck and head.

Foot – There is a point in this region called moving between which is situated in the hollow between the big and second toe. This pressure point can help ease headaches, tiredness of the eyes, arthritis, and foot cramps.

Knowing the difference between a headache and a migraine is important in order to determine what treatment should you do, which in turn results to a faster relief. Headache is the pain in the head ranging from mild to severe which causes pressure and aching. It can occur on both sides of the head, particularly in the forehead, temples, and the back of the neck. Typically, a headache can last anywhere from 30 minutes to one week. On the other hand, migraine is an intense or severe headache that is frequently accompanied with symptoms other than head pain. These include nausea, pain at the back of the eye or ear, pain in the temples, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light and/or sound, temporary loss of vision, and vomiting. In comparison with other headache types, migraine causes moderate to severe throbbing headache pain, and usually only affects one side of the head.