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Tension headaches are not a joke. They usually look like a tight band around the head and can come from muscle contractions in the head and neck, stress even bad posture.
Many people take pain relievers like acetaminophen and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve symptoms. But abuse it without medical advice can lead to harmful side effects.
As an acupuncturist with 10 years of clinical experience, thousands of patients have come to me for help with tension headaches.
In acupuncture treatment, pressure is exerted on certain points on the body to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Here are some methods I use for fast headache relief – without the needles!
1. Press at the base of the skull and neck
These acupuncture points are found on the bony base of the skull, on the left and right sides. Exerting pressure on them is not only helpful in relieving headaches, but also for neck pain and sinus congestion.
The two points are on the bony base of the skull. Each point is about a fingertip away from the midline of the head, on the left and right sides.
Photo: Eileen Li
Instructions:
- Clasp your hands behind your head, thumbs down.
- Position your hands so that each thumb presses into the gap at the base of the skill (one left, one right).
- Apply light to moderate pressure and rub in small circles. You may feel some tenderness or tension there, which is normal.
- Do this until you start to feel some relief.
Position your hands so that your thumbs dig into the gap at the base of the skull (one thumb on the left side and the other on the right side).
Photo: Eileen Li
2. Press the space between thumb and forefinger
I call it the “pain button” because it relieves headaches while providing a “it hurts so much” feeling. (If you’re pregnant, I recommend avoiding this method as it can be too stimulating.)
This pressure point can help relieve general body aches, headaches, facial pain, neck pain, and abdominal pain.
Photo: Eileen Li
Instructions:
- Turn your palm down and find the meaty web space between thumb and index finger.
- Press this point with the thumb of your opposite hand.
- As you press, push gently toward the index finger bone or pinch it as if you were taking a card from a slot.
- Hold light to moderate pressure for 60 seconds and adjust pressure intensity as needed.
- Repeat two or three times on each hand.
Press into the space between the thumb and forefinger.
Photo: Eileen Li
Other Ways to Relieve Tension Headaches
Walking outside at a brisk pace for 30 minutes can reduce your stress and provide fresh oxygen, helping to treat tension headaches.
If you have trouble leaving your desk completely, schedule short breaks every 30 to 60 minutes. Get up and walk or stretch for five to 10 minutes to promote better blood flow to the body and brain.
Drinking water can also help relieve headaches and body aches. Fatigue is often caused by a lack of hydration, and studies found that people with headaches and migraines often don’t drink enough water. I like to have my water hot with a slice of ginger or lemon.
Eileen Li is a licensed acupuncturist, doctor of Chinese medicine and physical therapist. She received her clinical doctorate from Simmons University. From there she worked in physical rehabilitation specializing in chronic pain research, pediatrics and geriatrics, hospital psychiatry and schools. His research on chronic pain has been published in several journals. Follow Eileen on ICT Tac and instagram.
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