by It’s been reported that headache disorders are the most common neurological disorder affecting 90% of all Americans.
Approximately 10 million doctor visits a year are due to headaches. Headaches can disrupt your sleep, work, family life, sports, and leisure activities.
Acupressure Points for Headache Relief to the Rescue!
Did you know that there are hundreds of acupressure points located all over your body?
By simply pressing and stimulating these points, you can trigger the release of endorphins (chemicals in the brain that relieve pain).
As a result, pain is blocked and the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area is increased.
In this blog post, you’re going to learn some effective pressure points for headache relief.
6 Potent Acupressure Points for Headache Relief
POINT #1: Liver 3
How do you find it? Top of the foot, in the valley between the first and second toe.
What’s it good for? Helps relieve headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, irritability, and frustration.
POINT #2: Large Intestine 4
How do you find it? On the highest point of the web between the index finger and thumb (in the metacarpals).
What’s it good for? Relieves frontal headaches, as well as constipation.
POINT #3: Gall Bladder 21
How do you find it? In the well at the top of the shoulder, one to two inches from the side of the lower neck.
What’s it good for? Great for headaches, as well as releasing neck, shoulder, and jaw tension.
POINT #4: Gall Bladder 20
How do you find it? Below the base of the skull (occiput), in the hollow between the two large neck muscles (sternocleidomastoid & trapezius).
What’s it good for? Relieves headaches, migraines, insomnia, stiff neck, neck pain, and eyestrain.
POINT #5: Bladder 2
How do you find it? In the indentations on either side of where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows.
What’s it good for? Relieves headaches, red and painful eyes, foggy vision, sinus pain, and head congestion.
POINT #6: Taiyang extra-meridian point
How do you find it? At the temples, about a thumb width posterior to the midpoint between the sides of the eyes and the ends of the eyebrows.
What’s it good for? Great for headaches and is also a calming point.
Helpful Tip: When practicing self-acupressure, firmly press and hold each point for several minutes. Longer, sustained pressure will have a more calming effect, whereas shorter (4-5 seconds) will be more stimulating.
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Source: Shiatsu Theory and Practice, by Carola Beresford-Cooke; Acupressure’s Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments, by Michael Reed Gach; Inside The Brain
