7 Powerful Acupressure Points for Headache and Migraine Relief

Published: July 20, 2026 | Reading time: 9 minutes

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in the world. Whether you suffer from tension headaches, migraines, sinus pressure, or cluster headaches, the pain can be debilitating. While over-the-counter pain relievers offer temporary relief, they do not address the root cause — and frequent use can lead to medication-overuse headaches and liver strain.

Acupressure, a core modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers a drug-free, side-effect-free alternative. By applying targeted pressure to specific points on the body, you can stimulate your natural pain-relief mechanisms, improve circulation, and release muscle tension. The best part? You can do it anywhere, anytime, at no cost.

Here are the seven most effective acupressure points for headache and migraine relief, grounded in both classical TCM theory and modern clinical research.

1. Yin Tang — The "Third Eye" Point

Location: Exactly midway between the inner edges of your eyebrows, on the bridge of your nose.

TCM Function: Yin Tang calms the Shen (spirit), clears the mind, and is the premier point for frontal headaches and sinus congestion. It is classified as an "extra point" outside the standard meridian system, and it has been used for centuries to relieve stress-related head pain.

How to use it:

• Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
• Use your index finger or thumb to press firmly but gently inward.
• Hold for 1-2 minutes while breathing slowly and deeply.
• Visualize tension melting away from your forehead.

This point is especially effective for headaches accompanied by mental fog, eye strain, or anxiety. A 2022 systematic review found that stimulating Yin Tang significantly reduced perceived stress and headache intensity scores.

2. Tai Yang — The "Great Sun" Temporal Point

Location: In the soft depression at your temple, approximately one finger-width behind the outer end of your eyebrow.

TCM Function: Tai Yang is the go-to point for temporal headaches (pain on the sides of your head) and migraines. It disperses Wind and clears Heat from the head, making it ideal for throbbing, pulsating pain.

How to use it:

• Place your index and middle fingers on both temples simultaneously.
• Apply gentle circular pressure clockwise for 30 seconds, then counterclockwise for 30 seconds.
• Gradually increase pressure, but stop if you feel sharp pain.
• Repeat 3-5 times as needed.

Tai Yang is also excellent for relieving the visual disturbances and light sensitivity that often accompany migraines.

3. He Gu — Large Intestine 4 (Joining Valley)

Location: On the back of your hand, in the fleshy webbing between your thumb and index finger. To find it precisely, squeeze your thumb and index finger together — the point is at the highest point of the muscle bulge.

TCM Function: He Gu is the most famous pain-relief point in all of Chinese medicine. It is the command point of the head and face, meaning it can treat virtually any pain in the upper body. It moves Qi and Blood circulation, clears Wind, and relieves tension.

How to use it:

• Use your opposite thumb to press deeply into the point.
• Massage in small circles for 2-3 minutes on each hand.
• You should feel a dull ache or slight soreness — this indicates you have found the right spot.
• For migraines, alternate between hands every 30 seconds.

Important: He Gu is contraindicated during pregnancy as it can stimulate uterine contractions. If you are pregnant, avoid this point entirely.

A landmark study published in Cephalalgia demonstrated that acupressure at He Gu reduced migraine attack frequency by 50% or more in 61% of participants over a 12-week trial period.

4. Feng Chi — Gallbladder 20 (Wind Pool)

Location: At the base of your skull, in the two hollow depressions on either side of the back of your neck, about two inches from the center.

TCM Function: Feng Chi is the primary point for headaches originating from the back of the head or neck (occipital headaches). Its name, "Wind Pool," reflects its role in dispelling external Wind — the TCM concept for pathogens that invade the head and cause headache, stiff neck, and aversion to cold.

How to use it:

• Interlock your fingers and cradle the back of your head.
• Use both thumbs to press into the hollows on either side of the spine.
• Tilt your head back slightly and apply upward, angled pressure.
• Hold for 2-3 minutes while breathing deeply.

This point is particularly effective for tension headaches caused by poor posture, screen time, or whiplash. It also helps with dizziness and neck stiffness.

5. Tai Chong — Liver 3 (Great Surge)

Location: On the top of your foot, in the webbing between your big toe and second toe, about two finger-widths above the toe crease.

TCM Function: Tai Chong is the most important point for moving stagnant Liver Qi. In TCM, many headaches — especially migraines — are caused by Liver Qi stagnation, which allows energy to build up and create pressure in the head. This is often the pattern behind stress-related and premenstrual headaches.

How to use it:

• Sit down and cross one ankle over the opposite knee.
• Use your thumb to press firmly into the point.
• Massage in small circles for 2 minutes on each foot.
• The point may feel quite tender — this confirms Liver Qi stagnation.

Regular stimulation of Tai Chong can reduce the frequency and severity of stress-induced headaches over time. Combine it with our herbal approaches to anxiety relief for comprehensive stress management.

6. Lie Que — Lung 7 (Broken Sequence)

Location: On the inside of your forearm, just above the wrist. To find it, interlock your thumbs with your hands forming a V; the point sits on the outer edge of the V, about one inch above the wrist crease.

TCM Function: Lie Que is the most commonly used point for sinus headaches and headaches associated with colds, allergies, or respiratory issues. It opens the Lung meridian, dispels Wind, and relieves nasal and sinus congestion.

How to use it:

• Use the thumb of your opposite hand to press the point.
• Apply moderate pressure for 1-2 minutes on each arm.
• Combine with Yin Tang for maximum sinus headache relief.

For comprehensive respiratory wellness, read our guide on TCM lung health and respiratory support.

7. Zu San Li — Stomach 36 (Leg Three Miles)

Location: Four finger-widths below the bottom of your kneecap, one finger-width to the outside of your shinbone.

TCM Function: While not a direct headache point, Zu San Li is the most powerful general tonic point in TCM. It strengthens overall Qi and Blood, boosts immunity, and improves energy. Many chronic headaches stem from underlying deficiency — weak digestion, poor circulation, or low energy — and Zu San Li addresses all three.

How to use it:

• Sit with your knees bent.
• Use your index and middle fingers to press firmly on both legs simultaneously.
• Massage in circular motions for 3 minutes daily.

Regular stimulation of Zu San Li builds foundational health that prevents headaches from developing in the first place. This aligns with the TCM philosophy of treating the root cause, not just the symptom.

Understanding Headache Types Through the TCM Lens

TCM categorizes headaches by location and quality of pain, each pointing to a different underlying organ system:

• Frontal headache: Stomach meridian issue. Often related to digestive problems, food sensitivities, or overwork. Use Yin Tang and Zu San Li.
• Temporal/side headache: Gallbladder meridian. Related to stress, anger, or hormonal fluctuations. Use Tai Yang, Feng Chi, and Tai Chong.
• Occipital/back-of-head headache: Bladder meridian. Caused by neck tension, poor posture, or external Wind-Cold. Use Feng Chi.
• Vertex/top-of-head headache: Liver meridian. Associated with intense anger or hormonal imbalances. Use Tai Chong.
• Whole-head dull ache: Qi deficiency or Blood deficiency. Generalized, low-intensity pain from overwork or poor nutrition. Use Zu San Li.

Building a Daily Headache Prevention Routine

Acupressure is most effective when used preventively, not just reactively. Here is a simple daily routine:

• Morning (2 minutes): Stimulate Zu San Li on both legs to build energy for the day.
• Midday (1 minute): Press He Gu on both hands to maintain circulation and relieve accumulated tension.
• Evening (3 minutes): Massage Feng Chi and Yin Tang to release the day's stress from your head and neck.

Consistency is key. You would not expect a single gym workout to transform your body — similarly, daily acupressure practice yields compounding benefits over weeks and months.

When to Seek Professional Help

While acupressure is remarkably effective for most common headaches, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention:

• Sudden, severe headache (thunderclap headache)
• Headache with fever, stiff neck, or rash
• Headache following head injury
• Progressively worsening headaches over days or weeks
• Headaches with neurological symptoms (weakness, numbness, vision loss, confusion)

For chronic headaches that do not respond to self-care, consult a licensed acupuncturist who can provide a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan. The SEASONS Wellness app offers personalized TCM-based recommendations based on your unique constitution and symptoms.

Explore our related articles on TCM sleep practices (poor sleep is a major headache trigger) and meridian blockage symptoms to deepen your understanding.