Acupressure for Headache Relief: Natural Pain & Tension Solutions

Headaches are one of the most common sources of discomfort—whether from stress, screen time, dehydration, sinus pressure, or tension in the neck and shoulders. While medication can help, many people are seeking natural, drug-free alternatives to get quick relief.

Acupressure is one of the most effective holistic tools for reducing headache intensity, relaxing tight muscles, and calming the nervous system. This covers the best acupressure points for headaches, how to use them, and why they work.

Acupressure works by stimulating specific points along the body’s meridians to release tension, improve circulation, and trigger the body’s natural pain-relief response.

Benefits of acupressure for headaches include:

Reducing pain intensity

Relaxing tight scalp, neck & jaw muscles

Improving blood flow to the head

Easing sinus pressure

Calming stress and anxiety

Supporting migraine recovery

It’s simple, safe, and effective—and you can use this natural headache relief technique anytime, anywhere.

Here are the top acupressure points used traditionally to relieve different types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches, and stress-induced pain.

1. LI4 (Hegu) – Union Valley Point

Location:

On the back of the hand, in the webbing between the thumb and index finger

Benefits:

Relieves tension headaches

Reduces facial and jaw pain

Helps migraines and stress headaches

How to press:

Apply firm pressure for 30–60 seconds on each hand.

Avoid during pregnancy.

2. Taiyang (Sun Point)

Location:

Temple area, in the soft depression between the outer eyebrow and eye corner

Benefits:

Relieves side-of-head pain

Helps migraine pain

Eases stress and eye strain

How to press:

Massage gently in circular motions for 30–45 seconds.

3. Yintang (EXT2) – Third Eye Point

Location:

Midway between the eyebrows

Benefits:

Relieves tension and sinus headaches

Reduces anxiety and overthinking

Calms the mind

How to press:

Use light circular pressure for 1 minute.

4. GB20 (Gallbladder 20) – Wind Pool

Location:

Back of the head, in the hollows on either side of the neck where the skull meets the spine

Benefits:

Excellent for tension headaches

Helps neck stiffness and migraines

Reduces dizziness and eye tension

How to press:

Use your thumbs to press upward and inward for 20–30 seconds.

5. ST8 (Head Binding)

Location:

At the corner of the forehead, near the hairline above the temple

Benefits:

Helps migraine and sinus pressure

Relieves frontal headache

How to press:

Apply gentle pressure for 20–30 seconds.

6. GV20 (Baihui / Hundred Meetings)

Location:

Top of the head, at the intersection of the midline and line from ear to ear

Benefits:

Relieves stress-related headaches

Helps heaviness or pressure in the head

Promotes calm and clarity

How to press:

Press gently downward for 20–30 seconds.

7. LI20 (Welcome Fragrance)

Location:

On either side of the nose, next to the nostrils

Benefits:

Relieves sinus headaches

Eases nasal congestion

How to press:

Apply light pressure for 20–30 seconds on each side.

Follow this simple sequence to get the best results:

1. Start with LI4 to reduce overall pain and tension.

2. Move to Taiyang and Yintang to calm the front and sides of the head.

3. Press GB20 to release neck tension and improve circulation.

4. Use ST8 for frontal or migraine pain.

5. Finish with GV20 to settle the mind and ease stress.

6. Repeat 1–3 times throughout the day as needed.

Apply consistent, steady pressure—not poking or hard jabs.

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Lifestyle habits plus acupressure often provide stronger relief than either alone:

Drink water—dehydration is a common trigger.

Take breaks from screens.

Stretch the neck and shoulders gently.

Use warm compresses for tension headaches.

Use cool compresses for migraines.

Practice slow breathing during acupressure.

Seek medical care if your headache is:

Sudden and severe (“thunderclap”).

Accompanied by confusion, fainting, vision changes, or weakness

Caused by injury.

Persistent for more than a few days.

Different from your usual headaches.

Associated with fever or neck stiffness.

Acupressure supports comfort but does not replace medical care for serious conditions.

Acupressure is a simple and powerful way to relieve headaches naturally. By activating points like LI4, Taiyang, Yintang, GB20, ST8, and GV20, you can reduce pain, relax tense muscles, and restore balance to the nervous system.

It’s gentle, accessible, and effective—making it an ideal tool for anyone seeking natural headache relief.