Relief of Headaches with Acupressure

by Lorena Pollard
(Santa Ana, CA)

Can I get or give relief from stress headaches, or even migraines, by working LI 4, Hegu Point? And if so, do I hold, knead, or do circular movements for tonifying or sedating?

Matthew's reply: Hi Lorena, yes, that acupressure point can certainly relieve headaches. It is a very commonly used point in Chinese acupressure and acupuncture for virtually all pain involving the face and head. You would most likely also need to press other points too though to stop headaches and migraines. One of my health programs, the Stop Headache Program contains 4 acupressure points plus a number of other traditional Chinese techniques to stop and prevent headaches.

Whether to tonify or sedate the point depends on your problem. Generally speaking, when the pain is of a strong, pounding, throbbing nature, the point needs to be sedated. When you have pain that is dull and better after rest, the point needs to be tonified.

To sedate a point there are various acupressure techniques. One is to press with your finger or thumb until you feel no more than a comfortable pain, then rub in quick circular movements for a minute or so. Repeat on the other hand.

To tonify, press the point but rub in slow, circular movements. Do both hands several times a day.

Any further questions just post below.

Matthew