Tension headaches are no joke. It usually feels like a tight band around the head, and can cause muscle contractions in the head and neck, stress or even poor posture.
Many people take pain medications like acetaminophen and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve symptoms. But overusing it without medical guidance can cause dangerous side effects.
As an acupuncturist with 10 years of clinical experience, I have had thousands of patients come to me for help with headaches.
In acupuncture treatment, pressure is placed on specific points on the body to relax muscles and increase blood flow. Here are some of the methods I use to get rid of headaches fast – without needles!
1. Press on the base of the skull and neck
These acupuncture points are located at the base of the skull, on the left and right sides. Putting pressure on them not only helps relieve headaches, but also for neck pain and sinus congestion.
Both points are located at the base of the skull. Each point is about one finger wide from the center line of the head, on the left and right sides.
Photo: Eileen Li
direction:
- Place your hands behind your head, thumbs facing down.
- Position the hand so that each thumb presses into the groove at the base of the skill (one on the left, one on the right).
- Use light to moderate pressure and rub in small circles. You may feel some tenderness or tension in this place, which is normal.
- Do this until you start to feel relief.
Position your hands so that your thumbs press into the groove at the base of the skull (one thumb on the left, and the other on the right).
Photo: Eileen Li
2. Press the space between your thumb and index finger
I call this “painkiller button” because it relieves the headache while also conveying the “very painful” feeling. (If you are pregnant, I recommend avoiding this method as it can be overstimulating.)
These pressure points can help relieve general body pain, headaches, facial pain, neck pain, and stomach pain.
Photo: Eileen Li
direction:
- Turn your palm face down and find the fleshy web space between your thumb and index finger.
- Press down on this point with the thumb of the opposite hand.
- When you press, gently push it against the index finger bone, or pinch it down like you are taking a card out of the slot.
- Hold with light to moderate pressure for 60 seconds and adjust the intensity of the pressure as needed.
- Repeat two or three times on each hand.
Press into the space between your thumb and index finger.
Photo: Eileen Li
Another way to relax head tension
A brisk walk outside for 30 minutes can reduce stress and provide fresh oxygen, helping to relieve headaches.
If you find it difficult to leave your desk completely, schedule a break every 30 to 60 minutes. Get up and walk or jog for five to 10 minutes to increase blood flow to your body and brain.
Drinking water can also relieve headaches and body aches. Fatigue is often caused by a lack of hydration, and studies have found that people with headaches and migraines often don’t drink enough water. I like to drink warm water with a slice of ginger or lemon.
Eileen Lee is a licensed acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner and physical therapist. He received his clinical doctorate at Simmons University. From there, he worked in the field of physical rehabilitation specializing in chronic pain research, pediatrics and geriatrics, inpatient psychiatry, and schools. Research on chronic pain has been published in several journal publications. Follow Eileen on TikTok and Instagram.
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