Ear Apex — 1
This point is also called HN6 or Erjian, and is found at the very tip of your ear.
To apply these pressure points:
• Start with gentle pressure and progressively build up to moderate to firm pressure.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute
It can help relieve migraines, as well as earaches and tension headaches.
Ear Gate — 2
Also known as SJ21 or Ermen, this point is located right in front of where the earlobe starts.
To apply these pressure points:
• Start with gentle pressure and progressively build up to moderate to firm pressure.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute
It is believed that applying pressure to the ear gate can alleviate headaches and tinnitus.
Daith — 3
The Daith point is at the smallest fold of cartilage in the ear, just above the opening to the ear toward the front.
To apply these pressure points:
• Start with gentle pressure and progressively build up to moderate to firm pressure.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute
Stimulate this pressure point to treat migraine, tension, and cluster headaches.
Scroll right for more information.
Ear Pressure Points
Moving Point — 5
This is also known as LV2 or Xingjian. It is located in the valley between your big and second toes.
To apply these pressure points:
• Start with gentle pressure and progressively build up to moderate to firm pressure.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute
It may help to relieve discomfort in your jaw and face.
Great Surge — 6
Also known as Liv 3, this point is located on top of the foot, between the tendons of your big and second toes. You can find it approximately 2 or 3 finger widths below the intersection of your big toe and second toe.
To apply these pressure points:
• Start with gentle pressure and progressively build up to moderate to firm pressure.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute
Liv 3 aids in the management of headache and migraine discomfort. Stimulation of this point can also relieve foot cramps, eye weariness, hangovers, vertigo, allergies, and arthritic pain. It is also beneficial for people who struggle with focus and weariness.
Above Tears — 7
Also known as GB41, it is situated on the top of the foot, just at the groove between the bones, about 2 or 3 fingers width behind the webbing of the fourth and fifth toes.
To apply these pressure points:
• Start with gentle pressure and progressively build up to moderate to firm pressure.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute
It can provide migraine sufferers immediate pain relief. Additionally, it can help relieve headaches, water retention, hip discomfort, sciatica, shoulder stress, and other musculoskeletal and arthritic symptoms. Even mastitis, breast distention, and irregular periods are benefited by it.
Scroll right for more information.
Foot Pressure Points
Are migraines curable?
There's no cure for migraines yet. Although migraines are traditionally treated with lifestyle adjustments, pain relievers, and preventive medications such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants. There are some people who experience relief from migraines by stimulating pressure points on their bodies.
In this article we'll discuss some of the common pressure points used for migraine relief and how you can use them.
Experts believe that changes in the brain that impact the following may be the cause of migraine attacks:
• Communication between nerves
• Chemical balance
• Blood vessels
Another contributing factor to migraine risk is genetics, for instance, a family history¹ of migraines.
Migraine triggers differ from one individual to the next. They typically consist of:
• Hormonal changes — such as those related to menstruation
• Emotional triggers — such as stress, depression, anxiety, and excitement
• Dietary factors — such as alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, nuts, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing the additives tyramine and monosodium glutamate² (MSG)
• Medications — such as sleeping pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and some birth control pills
• Environmental factors — such as flickering screens, potent odors, and secondhand smoke
Other possible causes include:
Lethargy, insufficient sleep, bad posture, stiff neck and shoulders, irregular mealtimes, dehydration, physical exhaustion, jet lag
What causes migraine attacks and what triggers them?
Relieving migraines through stimulating pressure points
What is migraine and what are the symptoms?
A migraine is a severe headache that commonly includes nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. It could linger for a few hours or several days and can be debilitating and chronic. While throbbing headache are frequently experienced during migraine episodes, it's not the only symptom. Every person experiences migraines differently. They often occur in phases in individuals.
Foot Pressure Points for Migraine Reliefs
Maintain an overall healthy lifestyle that include regular exercise, sleep, and meals, as well as staying hydrated and minimizing your intake of coffee and alcohol may help reduce the frequency of migraine episodes.
①
Prodrome — The majority of people who suffer from migraines notice symptoms like these hours or days before they experience a headache:
• Being sensitive to light, sound, or smell, fatigue,
• Either food cravings or lack of appetite,
• Mood changes,
• Severe thirst,
• Bloating,
• Either constipation or diarrhea.
Aura — These symptoms are caused by your neurological system and frequently affect your eyesight. They often begin gradually over a 5- to 20-minute span and last less than an hour. You might:
• See wavy lines, flashes of light, black spots, or objects that aren't there,
• Have limited vision
• Experiencing tingling or numbness on one side of your body, and being unable to communicate effectively
• Experience heaviness in your arms and legs
• Experience ringing in the ears
• Experience changes in smell, taste, or touch.
These phases might involve:
Attack — A migraine headache frequently starts off as a throbbing sensation before becoming dull. Usually, it gets worse as you exercise. The pain may go from one side of your head to the other, be at the front of your head, or affect your entire head. You could also feel pale and clammy, or faint.
While severe migraines can last up to three days, the average migraine headache lasts roughly 4 hours. While some individuals only get migraines once or twice a year, others may experience them frequently.
Postdrome — This phase might persist for up to a day following a headache. These signs include:
• Feeling worn out, drained, or irritable
• Being exceptionally energized or content
• Aching or weakened muscles
• Yearning for food or a lack of appetite.
Union Valley — 4
This point is also called LI4 or Hegu, and is an acupressure point located about half an inch inward on the back of your hand. This is the area where your thumb connects to the fingers. This area will bulge out slightly when you bring your thumb and finger together.
To apply these pressure points:
• Find the highest spot on the muscle between your thumb and index finger.
• Apply firm pressure to this area for 30 seconds to 1 minute
• Repeat on your other hand.
This pressure point may help to relieve nausea caused by migraines, discomfort, or digestive problems.
Hand Pressure Points
Drilling Bamboo — 9
Also known as BL2 or Zanzhu. It is positioned at the indentations on either side of the point where your nasal bridge meets the ridge of your brows.
To apply these pressure points:
• Press firmly on both points with both of your index fingers at once.
• Ten seconds of holding.
• Release and repeat.
Eye strain and sinus pressure or discomfort headaches can also be relieved by pressing on these pressure points.
Third Eye — 8
Also known as GV24.5 or Yin Tang. It's located between your brows, where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.
To apply these pressure points:
Apply continuous pressure here for 1 minute with the index finger of one hand.
It is believed that applying firm pressure to the third eye pressure point may reduce the headache-causing eyestrain and sinus pressure.
Scroll right for more information.
Face Pressure Points
Shoulder Well — 11
Also known as GB21 or Jian Jing. It's midway between your shoulder point and the base of your neck, on the edge of your shoulder.
To apply pressure to this point:
• For one minute, push firmly and circularly on this spot with the thumb of one hand.
• After that, turn to the other side and repeat.
Firm pressure to the shoulder well pressure point can help ease stiffness in your neck and shoulders, as well as relieve neck discomfort and preventing headaches
The Gates of Consciousness — 10
Also known as GB20 or Feng Chi. It is located in the parallel hollow spaces between the two vertical neck muscles at the base of the skull.
To apply these pressure points:
• Place your index and middle fingers on these pressure spots with either hand.
• For 10 seconds, press firmly upward on both sides at once, then release and repeat.
These pressure points can help reduce headaches brought on by neck stress.
Shoulder & Neck Pressure Points
Scroll right for more information.
In general, pressure point stimulation is a low-risk method of treating migraine and is very safe. While the use of pressure points to treat migraines has not been well researched, there is some preliminary evidence that massage of the head and shoulders can help reduce headaches. Just keep in mind that it's a supplemental therapy. Before attempting any at-home remedies for migraines or alternative therapies, always consult your doctor. They can assist you in identifying the lifestyle modifications, drugs, and complementary therapies that may provide you with the most relief. Also if you get frequent or severe headaches, you should seek medical attention.
1. Lateef, Tarannum M., et al. “Accuracy of Family History Reports of Migraine in a Community-Based Family Study of Migraine - PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 13 Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4357559.
2. Zanfirescu, Anca, et al. “A Review of the Alleged Health Hazards of Monosodium Glutamate - PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 8 May 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952072.