Getting a headache is common. For some people, it seldom happens, and for some, it can happen quite frequently. Headaches can vary from person to person, and can happen due to a number of reasons.
Take a look:
What causes headache?
There are several causes for headaches. It might happen due to emotional distress, anxiety, stress, illness, and physical ailment. Headaches are often explained as a throbbing pain in any region of the head. The headache pain can vary from mild to severe pain. For some people, the headache might subside in a few hours, but for others it can last for days, depending on the severity of the condition.
Types of headache
Researchers have classified headaches into two categories, namely primary and secondary.
Primary headache
- Primary headaches are comparatively less serious than secondary headaches. These types of headache do not occur because of any underlying disease unlike secondary headache.
- 90% of the time, headache is caused when pain sensitive head areas are over-stimulated. These pain sensitive areas include the nerves, neck and head muscles, and blood vessels.
- Primary headache can also be caused due to adverse chemical activity in the pain. This type of pain can include migraines, tension headache, and cluster headache.
- Primary headache can also be caused due to temperature changes or pressure, and physical exercise.
Secondary headache
- Secondary headache can be caused due hangovers and brain tumors
- This type of headache can be happen because of having something cold, and is more commonly known as ice cream headache
- Secondary headache can also be caused due to physical ailments like dehydration, blood clots, flu, glaucoma, and strokes.
- Concussions and panic attacks are also part of secondary headache
- Secondary headaches can also be worsened due to medicine overuse. It is also known as opiate headache.
What do you mean by acupressure?
Acupressure is natural therapies that involve making use of 300 pressure points in the body to relieve from ache or pain. It is an ancient technique practiced by Eastern culture for several centuries. Its evolution can be traced back to 5,000 years and has commonly been practiced in the eastern part of the world.
- It helps to release tension from the body, and thereby relieving headache
- Acupressure is usually practiced by applying pressure on certain parts of the body
- Acupressure can help to balance the energy flow of the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine. According to modern science, it means relieving from muscle tension, and boosting blood circulation
15 Different pressure points to relieve headaches
Here are 15 different pressure points for headache relief:
1. Third Eye Point
Location
The third eye point is situated between the eyebrows, or the area between the bridge of the nose and forehead.
How to do
- Press one finger right between your eyebrows, and apply pressure.
- Hold your finger for few minutes and release.
- Keep up with this routine several times every week to relieve from headache.
2. Drilling Bamboo Point
Location
The drilling bamboo point is located between the eye sockets and just below eyebrows.
How to do
How to do
- Start at the ear tip with the hairline curve point and move gradually to valley lead, celestial hub, floating white, and finish with the head portal in acupressure point.
- Apply direct pressure on all five points until the pain subsides.
4. Neck Region Point
Location
There are a number of pressure points in the neck region. Apply pressure to each of these points for few minutes, to ease headaches and sore necks.
How to do
Gates of Consciousness
- This pressure point is located in the nape of your neck.
- Locate the pressure point by finding the muscles in your neck.
- Apply firm and gentle pressure on your nape.
- It can help to relieve from relief from neck stiffness, headache, and dizziness.
Window of Heaven
- This point is considered as one of the most important pressure points for neck pain.
- This acupressure point is located right below the base of the skull.
- Apply pressure stimulate these pressure points for best relief.
- It can help relief from neck stiffness, shoulder pain, and headache.
5. Welcome Fragrance
Location
These pressure points are situation on the right and left side of your face. Similarly to other facial pressure points, it helps relieve from headache and congestion. These pressure points are situated besides your nostrils, and beneath your cheekbones.
How to do
- Apply pressure on the two pressure points for one minute each.
- Try this routine whenever you get headaches several times in a week.
6. Feng Chi
Location
Feng chi pressure points are located on each sides of your spine at the base of your skull, and in the hollow between two vertical neck muscles. These pressure points are exactly four fingers width apart.
How to do
- Place both hands behind your head.
- Use both thumbs to locate the soft spot at your skull base.
- Gently press each thumb until you find the pressure points that are adjacent to your neck muscles.
- Put pressure on each thumb, pressing inwards towards your eyes.
- Do this exercise for one minute, few times per day.
7. Wind Mansion
Location
At the center of the back of the head; midpoint between the ears and right above the spine. The wind mansion acupressure points can help relieve from migraine, neck stiffness, and mental stress. It can help treat dizziness, eye pain, and ear aches too.
How to do
- Tilt your head back and locate the point by finding the hollow under the base of the skull.
- Gently press the point using your thumb, and by slightly pushing upwards for few minutes.
- Alternatively, apply pressure around the edges of the location.
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8. Heaven’s Pillar
Location
½ inch below base of your skull and muscles located ½ inch outward from spine.
How to do
- After you locate the points, gently apply pressure using your thumbs or index minutes for few minutes.
- Breathe deeply while you doing it.
9. Massage He Gu
Location
This acupressure point is located between the thumb and index finger.
How to do
- Use the thumb and index finger of right hand to apply deep pressure on the L14 of your left hand.
- Hold it firmly for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Repeat the same using the other hand.
- Continue until the pain subsides.
10. Bigger Rushing
Location
This acupressure point is located on the top of the foot, between the big toe and second toe.
How to do
- First be seated comfortably.
- Then place your right foot above your left thigh.
- Use your thumb to put pressure on the rushing point for few minutes.
- Repeat the same steps on the other foot.
- Continue with the routine 2 to 3 times more.
11. Above Tears
Location
This acupressure point is situated on the top of the foot, just an inch behind webbing of fourth and fifth toes.
How to do
- First locate the pressure point.
- Place your thumb firmly and gently on each foot.
- Take deep breath while doing the routine.
12. Facial Beauty
Location
This point is located under your cheekbones, just about 2-3 fingers distance between each eye.
How to do
- After you locate the pressure points on each side, apply firm pressure for one minute, using your index fingers.
- Breathe deeply while continuing with this routine.
13. Shoulder Well
Location
This acupressure point is situated on your shoulders, approximately between the base of your neck and outer part of your shoulder. It is located 1 to 2 inches from lower neck sides.
How to do
- Find these points on both sides of the shoulder using your thumb.
- Apply downward pressure to stimulate these pressure points.
- Repeat for 4-5 seconds.
- Release after few seconds.
- Repeat.
14. Bright Lights
Location
These pressure points are located at the eyebrows tips. Find it right above the eye and below eyebrow tips around eye area.
How to do
- Put pressure on both these points using one hand.
- Apply pressure for one minute.
- Release and repeat.
15. Union Valley
Location
This pressure point can be found on the right side between index fingers and thumb.
How to do
- Find the pressure location.
- Firmly and gently massage the area for few minutes.
- Alternatively, pinch the pressure point using thumb and index finger.
Pressure points are most effective for relieving headache. There are several pressure points throughout the head, face, neck, and feet that can help relieve pain, and ache.
Hence, if you have a headache, make the best use of acupressure.
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