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Next time you have a headache, you may want to skip the pain relievers and try acupressure. It’s safe and can be surprisingly effective.

What Is Acupressure?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pain and illness are viewed as an interruption in the flow of qi (energy). Acupressure and acupuncture aim to balance and restore the flow of qi through the body. Acupoints are places on the body where the flow of qi can be influenced (e.g. via needles, electrical stimulation, & pressure) to regulate bodily functions and relieve pain.

How to Perform Acupressure

To perform acupressure, use direct pressure to the indicated point with your finger or thumb. Press the point lightly, increasing slowly to a firm pressure. (Of course, if you’re working with a delicate area such as the face, use light pressure.) Hold the point until you feel some relief, or up to a minute. Breathe deeply as you hold the point.

Acupressure Points for Headache Relief

Below are some acupressure points for headache relief. You can do all of them as a routine, or just experiment and find the ones that work best for you.

The “Hoku point” (LI4) is excellent for headache relief. It is located on the back of the hand, in the webbing where the thumb and index finger meet. Find the exact point by bringing your thumb and index finger together. The muscle will bulge a little–that’s the spot. Squeeze the point by putting your thumb on the point, and your index finger on the palm side of your hand. Angle the pressure toward the bone that connects with the index finger. Hold for one minute and switch hands. Do not use the Hoku Point if you are pregnant.
Use your thumbs to firmly press the back of the neck underneath the base of your skull into the indentations on either side of the spine, two to three inches apart, depending on the size of your skull. Slowly tilt your head back and firmly press up underneath the skull. These are the GB20 points. This technique is one of my personal favorites for headache relief.
Press the top of the feet, in the web between the big and second toes. You can either use your hands for this, working both feet at the same time, or you can use the heel of the opposite foot to work one foot at a time. This point is Lv3.
With the palms of your hands together, let your head tilt downward and place your index and third fingers on the point directly between the eyebrows, where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead. (Or just use an index finger or thumb.) This point is called GV24.5.
Apply steady pressure to the top of head, where lines drawn to the top of the head from the ears and nose would intersect. This is GV20. Do not use this point if you have high blood pressure.
Use your thumb and index finger to press the indentations on either side of the nose, where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows. This is B2.
Use the middle and index fingers of both hands to gently press up underneath the cheekbones, directly below the center of the eye. This point is St3.
Many of these suggestions are taken from the book Acupressure’s Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach, which I highly recommend.
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“Red Flag” Headaches: See Your Doctor Immediately

While you can safely treat most headaches yourself, some need medical attention. The following headache symptoms are signs of potentially serious, even life-threatening health problems. Please consult your medical doctor immediately if:

• you experience extremely intense head pain (i.e. it feels like the worst headache of your life)
• the headache comes on very suddenly and severely (like a “thunderclap”)
• your headache is accompanied by mental confusion
• your headache is accompanied by unusual symptoms such as passing out, loss of vision, or difficulty walking or speaking
• your headache is accompanied by a high fever (over 100 degrees F) and/or stiff neck
• you are over 50 and the headache is a new kind of headache for you
• your headache was preceded by head trauma.
• you have a family history of brain aneurysms.