5 Acupoints for Headaches — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

Introduction

When a sudden headache occurs, you may want to rely on medication, but acupressure therapy from traditional medicine can also be highly effective in relieving it. By stimulating acupoints on your body using only your fingers without any special tools, you can relieve not just headaches but also stress and dizziness. Today, I’ll introduce 5 acupoints that are particularly effective for headaches and the proper techniques for applying acupressure to them.

5 Acupoints Effective for Headaches

1. Taichong (太衝) — LR3

Location: Between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals on the top of the foot, in the depression in front of the metatarsal junction. It is located at the point where the bones meet when you trace the area between the big toe and the second toe upward along the top of the foot.

Effects: It excels at regulating liver function and alleviating stress-related headaches and migraines. It also helps improve neck stiffness from tension and insomnia, so it’s called the “master acupoint for stress relief.”

Acupressure Technique: Apply slow, gentle pressure to the depression between the toes using your thumb with a tapping motion. Press for 3-5 seconds at a time, rest, and repeat. Stimulating each foot for 1-2 minutes is effective.

2. Ligou (合谷) — LI4

Location: In the depression on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger, at the midpoint of the 2nd metacarpal. You can find it by tracing along the back of your hand with your index finger until you reach where the bones separate.

Effects: It’s effective in relieving chronic headaches, tension headaches, and headaches caused by colds. Since it promotes blood circulation to the face and head and relieves fatigue, it’s considered an “all-purpose acupoint” in traditional medicine.

Acupressure Technique: Place the thumb of your opposite hand on this point and slowly press, applying acupressure in circular motions. It’s best to stimulate each hand for 1-2 minutes with enough pressure that you feel a slight amount of tenderness.

3. Fengchi (風池) — GB20

Location: Below the occipital bone at the back of the neck, in the depression between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. You can easily locate it by finding where the muscles on both sides of the neck meet.

Effects: It’s especially effective for relieving pain at the back of the head and headaches caused by neck stiffness. It removes pathogenic wind factors and improves blood circulation to the head, protecting against wind-related conditions.

Acupressure Technique: Place both thumbs on this point and press deeply on both sides simultaneously. Apply acupressure slowly in circular motions or by rubbing up and down. Press for 3-5 seconds, rest, and repeat.

4. Baihui (百會) — GV20

Location: At the center of the crown of the head, where the line connecting the tops of both ears meets the vertical line running from the area between the eyebrows up to the crown. When you touch the center of your head with your fingers, you can feel a slight depression.

Effects: It’s effective in relieving general headaches, migraines, dizziness, and anxiety. It was named to mean “treats a hundred diseases” because it promotes brain activity and boosts the body’s energy.

Acupressure Technique: Place the tip of your finger (middle or index finger) on this point and press gently. Apply acupressure with light to medium pressure in circular motions or by tapping gently. Stimulate for about 1-2 minutes.

5. Yintang (印堂) — EX-HN3

Location: It is located at the center between the eyebrows. It’s the point where you can feel a small depression when you place your finger in the area between the eyebrows.

Effects: It excels at relieving frontal headaches, headaches caused by eye fatigue, and stress-related headaches. It calms the mind and body, enhances concentration, and improves blood circulation to the face.

Acupressure Technique: Place the middle fingers of both hands on this point, press slowly, and massage in circular motions. It’s effective to apply gentle acupressure with not-too-strong pressure for about 1-2 minutes.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

Morning/Evening Headache Prevention Routine: By performing this for 5 minutes each morning when you wake up and each evening after work, you can prevent headaches beforehand. ① Gently apply acupressure to Yintang for 1 minute, ② Stimulate Ligou on both hands for 1 minute each, ③ Press Fengchi for 30 seconds, ④ Apply acupressure to Taichong between the toes for 1 minute each foot, ⑤ Finally, gently tap Baihui for 30 seconds. This 5-minute routine alone can help prevent headaches. Acute Headache Relief Routine: When a sudden headache occurs, apply concentrated acupressure in this order: Ligou → Taichong → Fengchi → Baihui, and stimulate each acupoint with strong pressure for 2-3 minutes to expect rapid relief.