Does acupressure really help relieve headaches without pills?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

To stop the most severe migraine, sometimes it is enough to press the right "button".

Acupressure Acupressure - an overview is an acupressure technique that has come down to us since ancient China. Its essence lies in the effect on certain points of the body associated with one or another organ. Including the head.

In general terms, acupressure therapy looks like this. You have a headache - for 1–5 minutes you have massaged an area of skin, for example, on your arm - the pain is gone. Without any pills.

Sounds fantastic at first glance. But it seems to actually work. At least there really is scientific evidence for the effectiveness of acupressure.

What Science Says About Acupressure

There is little research on this topic. But the existing ones look very promising.

So, in one small work, Massage Therapy and Frequency of Chronic Tension Headaches, scientists found out if acupressure can help four adults suffering from chronic headaches. The patients underwent acupressure sessions 2-3 times a week for six months. The results appeared by the end of the first week: according to the subjective feelings of the participants in the experiment, the number and duration of headaches decreased.

After six months, the effect became evident and measurable: the number of headache attacks decreased from an average of seven incidents per week to two. And the duration was almost halved.

In another study THE EFFECTS OF MASSAGE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC TENSION HEADACHE, researchers examined how one hour acupressure sessions affected headaches in 21 women. The patients received acupressure every day for two weeks. Result: the headache of all women began to hurt less often and not as badly as before.

All in all, acupressure makes sense to try. It is safe and can really relieve you of headaches quickly and for a long time. Consider only one thing: acupressure is an auxiliary therapy. If you are haunted by repeated or very severe bouts of pain, you should consult a physician.

Where are the acupressure points and how to massage them

Before starting the massage, create the conditions for this.

• Find a quiet place. This can be, for example, a bedroom or bathroom, where nothing will distract you.
• If possible, dim the lights and play soothing music for relaxation.
• Get into a comfortable position. Sit or lie on your back, relax.
• Breathe slowly and deeply.

Find an active point on the body: look where it is located in the picture, and start feeling the skin. The desired place will respond to pressing with a light pain signal.

Here are five of the most famous Pressure Points for Headaches: Tension, Sinus, and More, massage of which is believed to be able to relieve or relieve headaches. You can try acupressure both independently and with the help of a loved one.

1. "Third eye"

The name speaks for itself: this point is located on the bridge of the nose, clearly between the eyebrows.

Press down firmly with the index finger of either hand and maintain the pressure for about 1 minute. Option: Massage the Pressure points for headaches "third eye" in small circular motions, being careful not to relieve the pressure.

This massage is believed to help relieve eye strain and sinus pressure, which are common causes of headaches.

2. "Hole in the bamboo"

These paired points are located on the inner side of each eyebrow - where the bridge of the nose meets the browbone.

Use your fingers to press on both points at once. Maintain pressure for 10 seconds. Then let go and try again.

This type of acupressure also reduces Pressure Points for Headaches: Tension, Sinus, and More pressure in the sinuses and helps with eye fatigue.

3. "Gates of Consciousness"

These paired points are located at the back, above the neck, at the very base of the skull - they are depressions on both sides of the spine, between the vertical muscles of the neck.

Press down on the gate with the index and middle fingers of both hands. Option: Clasp your hands at the back of your head and press your thumbs into the cavity at the base of the skull. Massage for 10 seconds. Then remove your fingers. Repeat after a few seconds.

This massage can help relieve tension headaches in the neck with Pressure Points for Headaches: Tension, Sinus, and More.

4. Shoulder points

They are located approximately halfway between the shoulder joint and the base of the neck. You need to activate these points one by one: first the left one, pressing it with the index and middle fingers of the opposite (right) hand, then the right one.

Massage in circular motions for a minute. Pressure Points for Headaches: Tension, Sinus, and More is believed to help relieve tension headaches.

5. "Connecting Valley"

This point is located on the skin bridge between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Pinch the valley with the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand and squeeze hard for 10 seconds. Then, being careful not to relieve pressure, draw circles with the pad of your thumb - 10 seconds in one direction, 10 seconds in the other. Repeat the procedure for the other hand.

This massage also helps Pressure points for headaches with tension headaches.

This material was first published in December 2016. In November 2020, we updated the text.