Pressure points are parts of the body believed to be extra sensitive, able to stimulate relief in the body. If you’re looking for a more natural way to treat your headache, you may want to think about acupressure and pressure points. We explain what science says and give you some pressure points to try next time your head hurts
The science behind pressure points and headaches
Few studies have looked into how massage therapy on the head and shoulders can relieve headaches.
- One small study investigated how massage might help four adults that were experiencing chronic tension headaches, two to three times per week for six months
- In the study, the massages reduced the number of headaches in each subject within the first week of treatment, and by the end of the treatment period, the average headache fell from 7 headaches per week to 2.5 per week
- The average length of a subject’s headache also decreased by half during treatment
Union valley
These points are located on the web between your thumb and index finger.
- To treat headaches, pinching these points for 10 seconds each for each hand, then making small circles with your thumb on this area in one direction and then the other for another 10 seconds.
Shoulder well
Located at the edge of your shoulder, halfway between your shoulder point and the base of your neck.
Drilling bamboo
These points are located at the indentations on either side of the spot where the bridge of your nose meets the ridge of your eyebrows.
More research is needed
While using pressure points to treat headaches isn’t well studied, there’s some limited research suggesting that massage of the head and shoulders can help relieve headaches.
Gates of consciousness
These pressure points are located at the base of the skull in the parallel hollow areas between the two vertical neck muscles.
Third eye
The third eye point can be found between your two eyebrows where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.
