Oriental medicine teaches us that it is possible to relieve almost any pain or ailment by using our hands and the pressure points that locate the source of the discomfort, or the active points along an imaginary line called the "meridian". When these meridians are blocked, the flow of energy is disturbed, resulting in a condition of pain or disease. Acupressure is a technique used to remove blockages from meridians, increasing the flow of energy, and release endorphins, which are substances naturally used to suppress pain. With a little knowledge of the acupressure points located in our body, you can relieve the pain of migraines.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Forehead
Step 1. Locate the point between the two eyebrows
Step 2. Apply intense pressure with your thumb or index finger, moving it upward
Step 3. Continue for 1 minute, or until the pain subsides, breathing deeply
Method 2 of 5: Hand
Step 1. Locate the area between the thumb and forefinger
Step 2. Press it using the index finger and thumb of the other hand
Step 3. Continue until the pain subsides, or for 1 minute, breathing deeply
Step 4. Switch hands and repeat the previous steps
Method 3 of 5: Neck
Step 1. Place your fingers in the center of the neck, on the back of the head, to locate two other points related to migraine pain
Step 2. Move your fingers to the top of the neck, just below the skull
Step 3. Continue to move your fingers about 3-5 cm to the sides of the neck until you find a small indentation
Step 4. Tilt your head back slightly
Step 5. Apply thumb pressure to the identified area
Press up for 2 minutes, or until the pain subsides. Make sure you breathe deeply during the treatment.
Method 4 of 5: Top of the Head
Step 1. Locate the pressure point at the top of the head by drawing an imaginary line that joins the two upper ends of the ears passing just above the head
Step 2. Draw a second imaginary line that rises from the center of the eyebrows to the top of the head, until it crosses the first line
The intersection point is the pressure point you are looking for.
Step 3. Apply firm pressure on this point for 1 minute, or until the pain subsides, while breathing deeply
Method 5 of 5: Foot
Step 1. Locate the area between the big toe and the index finger
Step 2. Apply pressure by rubbing the spot with the thumb of your hand or the heel of the other foot
Continue for 1 minute.
Step 3. Repeat the procedure on the other foot, still breathing deeply
Advice
- The pressure points can be sensitive and painful, but try massaging your chosen one for the indicated amount of time, or until the point begins to numb from your touch. Some points provide a greater result than others: test their effectiveness on your body and focus on those that are most useful.
- You may need to experiment with different pressure points to find the one that works best for your headache. Some pressure points particularly relieve pain in the temples, while others provide relief primarily in the back of the head.
