Points of Acupressure for Treating Migraine Headaches
The pulsating pressure of intense head pain that arrives like that house owner banging at your front door for due rent, can leave one feeling exhausted. Hours and days go by and the pain never ends, worsening at every minute. A migraine headache can be debilitating.
Although intense, migraines are manageable through a combination of different treatment methods. In the earlier days, when access to treatment was difficult, acupressure, a technique to relieve migraine was crafted in ancient China. In today’s tech age, where medicine has progressed to the point where you can receive telehealth consultation at your fingertips, why not reduce that time too, and get instant relief? Let’s see how you can use the magic of your fingers for instant migraine relief. In this blog, we will explore how migraines occur, what acupressure is, the different migraine acupressure points that can be used to relieve the pain, and how you can use these quick and easy techniques.
What Is Acupressure?
Acupressure is a technique that was developed in ancient China, to help reduce the pain caused by migraine. Based on acupuncture that uses tiny needles focusing on certain pressure points on the body, acupressure is non-invasive, i.e., it does not require the use of any needles. Acupressure can be provided with the help of fingers.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body contains channels called meridians through which the body’s vital energy flows. This energy that flows is believed to have the power to heal the body by itself when it is allowed to flow freely, and any blockage or imbalance in this channel can cause illnesses. Acupressure aims to focus on different migraine acupressure points to stimulate blood flow, ease muscle tension and restore the balance of the vital energy, called ‘qi’.
Which Acupressure Points Are Best for Relieving Migraines?
There are different types of techniques that target migraine acupressure points that are used for relief. Tuina is the most popular technique used in China. Other techniques differ in the amount of pressure applied to relieve pain, like shen tao, anma, shiatsu, etc.
Here we will discuss some common techniques and migraine relief pressure points that are used, and that you can learn easily to reduce and treat migraine headaches.
- Hall of Impression (MHN-3 or Yin Tang)
Among the migraine acupressure points, this is the point most commonly used to relieve headaches. The hall of impression pressure point for migraine is the space between the eyebrows, just perpendicular to the nose.
To perform this technique, place your index or thumb finger on the hall of impression space and gently press on it. Move your finger in a circular motion in the same space by taking deep breaths. Do this for around 30 seconds to a minute.
- Inner Pass (P-6 or Nei Guan)
This pressure point for migraine is located on the inner side of the wrists. This one among the migraine acupressure points can relieve headache and nausea caused by it. This point is just 2 inches above the inner side of the wrist. For this technique too, press gently on the inner pass point and move in circular motions for 30 seconds to one minute. Breathe gently while doing so.
- Foot Governor of Tears (GB-41 or Zu Lin Qi)
The foot governor of tears migraine acupressure points is on both sides of the feet between the pinky toe and the ring toe. This pressure point for migraine is slightly above the toes, about an inch and a half. To relieve tension using this pressure point, press on the area and massage it gently for some time.
- Bigger Rushing (LIV-3 or Great Rushing)
Similar to the foot governor of tears points, the bigger rushing migraine acupressure points are located between the big toe and the toe next to it. Gently massage this pressure point for migraine relief using your index and thumb finger.
Migraine Causes and Phases
Causes
Migraine headaches are a combination of genetic origin and some other environmental factors. Some changes in brain activity can also cause migraines. This also leads to sensitivity to environmental triggers like light and sound. Migraines can be triggered by stress too.
Phases
The three phases of migraine are as follows:
The prodrome step
This prodrome phase occurs days before an actual migraine. In this stage, there might be increased sensitivity to light, and sound, there could be increased cravings, thirst, fatigue, some sorts of visual disturbances, extreme changes in one’s mood, etc. All of this sets the stage for a turbulent headache that can last for days if not managed properly.
A stage of aura
This aura stage of a migraine headache is not experienced by all. Characterized by disturbances in sight, speech, or other sensory impairment, this stage is temporary and passes away with time. This stage can lead to visual disturbances causing an individual to see flashing lights in different forms.
The phase of attack
The attack phase is the main phase of a migraine headache in which an individual suffers intense pain in parts of their head. This kind of severe headache can cause other problems like vomiting, nausea, and extreme mood swings to name a few. At this stage, the headache can interrupt a person’s day-to-day activities.
Precautions to Give Consideration
These migraine acupressure points can be used as an additional treatment for pain. A precaution to consider is that it is important to be very gentle as extreme pressure applied can cause more pain. Another precaution is to avoid these acupressure techniques if you are pregnant.
FAQs
- What pressure point relieves migraines?
Many migraine acupressure points can be used to find relief from pain. Some of these include the hall of impression point, the joining valley, the wind point, the inner pass, and many more.
- Why does putting pressure on a migraine help?
Putting pressure on the migraine relief pressure points allows blood to flow freely and relieves the excess tension in the muscles.
- How do acupressure points relate to the treatment of migraines?
According to Chinese medicine, when pressure is put on the acupressure points, it stimulates the flow of the vital energy that is supposedly responsible for treating illnesses.
- Is it possible for acupressure spots to offer instant relief from a migraine attack?
Acupressure spots can help reduce the pain and other symptoms experienced during a migraine headache. Some studies have proven the reduction in days when a migraine attack can last.
