Stimulating pressure points, including “ear gate” and “daith” on the ears, “union valley” on the hands, and “great surge” on the feet, among others, may provide relief for some people with migraine.
Stimulating pressure points on the body by pressing on them, known as acupressure, may provide relief for some people with migraine. Compared to traditional treatment, acupressure may also result in fewer side effects.
Acupressure points that may benefit migraine can include:
- ear gate (SJ21)
- daith
- ear apex (HN6)
- union valley (LI4)
- great surge (LV3)
- moving point (LV2)
- above tears (GB41)
- third eye (GV24.5)
- drilling bamboo (BL2)
- gates of consciousness (GB20)
- shoulder well (GB21)
Keep reading to learn the research behind these pressure points, where to find them, and how to apply pressure.
Traditional treatment for migraine includes lifestyle changes to avoid triggers, pain-relieving medications, and preventive treatments, such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants. But for some people with migraine, stimulating pressure points on the body may provide similar relief.
If you press on the point, it’s called acupressure.
If a licensed professional inserts a thin needle into the skin to stimulate the point, it’s called acupuncture.
Acupuncture must be performed by a licensed practitioner. When an acupuncture practitioner inserts needles into the skin, it causes significant neurochemical changes in the body, hormones, and brain chemistry by releasing dopamine and endorphins. This release does not occur without breaking the skin.
Pressure points used for migraine relief include those on the ears, hands, feet, and other areas, such as the face and neck.
Read on to learn about common pressure points used for migraine relief and what the research says.
Ear pressure points for migraine
Ear pressure points include:
- Ear gate: Also known as SJ21 or Ermen, this point is where the top of your ear meets your temple. Acupressure practitioners believe it may be effective for jaw and facial pain.
- Daith: This point is located at the cartilage just above the opening to your ear canal. A
2020 case report suggests a person with migraine found headache relief through a daith piercing, which may simulate acupuncture. However, there’s not enough evidence for this practice. - Ear apex: This point, also called HN6 or Erjian, is found at the very tip of your ear. Proponents believe it may help reduce swelling and pain.
Auriculotherapy is a type of acupuncture and acupressure focused on points on the ear. A 2020 research review found that auriculotherapy may help with chronic pain.
A
A
Hand pressure points for migraine
Union valley, also called pressure point LI4 or Hegu, is located between the base of your thumb and index finger on each hand. Pressing on this point may reduce pain and headaches.
Foot pressure points for migraine
Acupoints in your feet include:
- Great surge: Also known as LV3 (liver 3) or Tai Chong, this point sits in the valley between the big toe and the second toe, 1 to 2 inches back from the toes. It may help decrease stress, insomnia, and anxiety.
- Moving point: Similar to great surge, you can find moving point (also known as LV2 or Xingjian) in the valley between your big and second toes. It may decrease pain in the jaw and face.
- Above tears: This is also called GB41 (gallbladder 41) or Zulinqi and is located between and slightly back from the fourth and fifth toes.
Read about how to massage pressure points on the feet.
Other pressure points that may help migraine symptoms
Additional pressure points on your face, neck, and shoulders may also relieve headaches and other pain. They include:
- Third eye: Third eye, also known as GV24.5 (governing vessel 24.5) or Yin Tang, rests in the middle of your forehead just above your eyebrows. A 2019 study found that acupuncture on points including GV24.5 improved energy and stress in a small group of U.S. military members.
- Drilling bamboo: Sometimes known as bamboo gathering, BL2 (bladder 2), or Zanzhu, these are the two indented spots where your nose reaches your eyebrows. Research from 2020 suggests acupuncture on BL2 and other points may be as effective as medication for reducing the frequency of migraine episodes.
- Gates of consciousness: This is also called GB20 (gallbladder 20) or Feng Chi. It’s located at the two side-by-side hollow areas where your neck muscles meet the base of your skull. This point may help with migraine episodes and fatigue.
- Shoulder well: Also known as GB21 (gallbladder 21) or Jian Jing, it sits at the top of each shoulder, halfway to the base of your neck. This pressure point is believed to reduce pain, headaches, and neck stiffness.
Studies show that both acupressure and acupuncture may help relieve some migraine symptoms. Still, more high quality research is needed to fully understand the possible benefits. It’s important to keep in mind that while both acupressure and acupuncture stimulate pressure points, they are different.
According to the
The NCCIH notes that the benefits appear to be “nonspecific,” relating to a person’s expectations and beliefs. However, they suggest that acupuncture performed by a professional is slightly more effective at reducing the frequency of migraine episodes than “sham” acupuncture performed as a placebo.
When a licensed acupuncturist inserts needles into the skin, neurochemical changes in the body, hormones, and brain chemistry through the release of dopamine and endorphins. This does not occur without breaking the skin.
The NCCIH does not provide specific information on acupuncture for relieving migraine or other health conditions.
Acupuncture must be performed by a trained and licensed practitioner, while acupressure may be performed at home or by a licensed massage therapist.
For migraine nausea
The study found that acupressure combined with sodium valproate reduced nausea, whereas sodium valproate alone did not.
For migraine fatigue
According to a study published in 2019, self-administering acupressure may also reduce fatigue for people with migraine. Feeling tired is a common migraine symptom.
To reduce migraine frequency
A 2019 research review suggested that acupuncture may be more effective than medication for reducing the frequency of migraine episodes, with fewer negative effects. However, it noted that more studies need to be done.
This study did not look at acupressure.
For mental health and relaxation
Both acupressure and
A
You can make an appointment with a licensed professional to use acupressure or acupuncture to relieve your migraine symptoms.
Acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed professional. You can find one through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
You may also see improvement by massaging your pressure points at home.
If you decide to give acupressure or acupuncture a try for your migraine symptoms, here’s what to expect:
- A practitioner typically conducts an initial evaluation, including your symptoms, lifestyle, and health, followed by developing a treatment plan, consisting of either acupuncture needles or pressure points.
- If using needles, the practitioner may manipulate the needle or apply heat or electrical pulses to the needles. It’s possible to feel a mild ache when a needle reaches the right depth.
- Needles usually remain for about 10 to 40 minutes and should generally not be painful.
- You may not feel instant relief from the treatment. Your practitioner should go over how many treatments you need before you can expect to begin to feel relief.
- You may not feel any relief, in which case it may not be for you.
Side effects from acupuncture can include:
- soreness
- bleeding
- bruising
Doctors often recommend lifestyle changes to help treat migraine. This usually involves identifying and avoiding migraine triggers, which vary from one person to another.
They may suggest tracking your migraine episodes and possible triggers. Depending on your triggers, they may advise you to:
- Change your diet And stay hydrated.
- Switch Medications.
- Adjust your Sleep schedule.
- Take steps to manage Stress.
Your doctor may recommend pain-relieving medications to manage your immediate symptoms. They may also prescribe preventive medications to reduce the frequency or length of your migraine attacks. For example, they may prescribe antidepressants or anticonvulsants to adjust your brain chemistry or function or botulinum toxin (Botox) to reduce pain.
Additional integrative therapy, including massage therapy and biofeedback, and some supplements may help prevent or treat migraine.
Stimulating pressure points may be a low risk way to help treat migraine symptoms for many people.
However, it may be unsafe for some people, including:
- Pregnant people: Stimulating some pressure points may induce labor in pregnant people, though more research is needed. If you’re pregnant, always talk with your doctor before trying any new complementary therapies for migraine.
- People with bleeding disorders: If you have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinners, you’re more at risk for bleeding and bruising from needle sticks.
- People with pacemakers: People with pacemakers should also be cautious about acupuncture that uses mild electrical pulses to the needles, as it can alter the electrical activity of the pacemaker.
Always talk with your doctor before trying at-home treatments or integrative therapies for migraine. They can help you determine which lifestyle changes, medications, and integrative therapies may give you the most relief.
Acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed professional. You can find one through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).