This video was made to empower Veterans with acupressure self
care strategies that may provide relief for headaches. You can
follow along with the tutorial as we demonstrate the technique
for six acupressure points.
You may perform the self care routine in addition to your
regular medical care. It is not intended to replace standard
medical treatments for this condition. This acupressure
routine may not be appropriate for some veterans, including
those who have brand new symptoms or who are pregnant. It
is best to sit or lie down while applying acupressure. If you
experience any discomfort, dizziness, or other unusual
symptoms, stop the acupressure immediately. If these symptoms
do not go away, contact your medical provider. Do not use
acupressure over areas where you have a wound, severe swelling or
lump, active infection, recent blood clots, rash, or areas that
are very numb. However, you may be able to use other points away
from these areas.
If you take medications to thin your blood or have a
bleeding or clotting disorder, use only light pressure there.
Acupressure is thousands of years old and likely predates
acupuncture. When we have a headache, we have a tendency to
put our hands to our temples to relieve the pain. Putting our
hands on areas that hurt and rubbing is a very natural thing
to do. Acupressure can be used to treat a variety of
conditions. This video will teach you an acupressure routine
that may relieve headache pain.
I invite you to follow along on yourself as I demonstrate each
point. To perform the acupressure routine you will press or
massage the points that you will be taught in this video for
about 30 seconds each.
Use the amount of pressure that feels most comfortable to you.
Enough pressure to feel some sensation. If painful, use less
pressure. Sometimes a light touch is all that's needed.
We will start our headache routine with a point found on
the back of the hand LI 4.
This point is found between the thumb and first finger in the
webbed space. This point is best activated by pinching the area
with the opposite thumb and
first finger. We're going to work this point for about 30
seconds. You can try pressing and holding, or you can try
rubbing using very small
circles. Use the amount of pressure that feels most
comfortable and bring some
relief. The amount of pressure that is comfortable can be
different for each person and may vary at different times of
the day. Many of these points can be done on both sides.
In this video, we're only going to show you how to do
the point on one side. So if you'd like to do it on the
other side, feel free to pause the video and press or rub to
massage the other hand for 30 seconds and then resume
playing this video when done.
Another helpful headache point is SI 3, particularly
for headaches that start at the base of the neck.
This point is found on the pinky finger side of the hand, where
if you make a loose fist, you're going to feel for depression or
a low spot just under the
knuckle. When you are massaging this area, you may notice a
spot that feels more tender than others. You can focus
your pressure on that tender spot, but not to the point of
causing pain. If it's uncomfortable to use your
hands to massage points, you can try using a pencil eraser
instead.
Again, hold or massage this point for 30 seconds and then
pause the video if you would like to do this point on the
other side.
GB 20 is helpful for the very common types of headaches that
start in the neck, at the back of the neck, or affect the side of
the head. These points are found at the back of the neck, just
within the hairline. They're located about one inch on either
side of the spine.
Just under where the head meets
the neck. You're going to feel for a tender depression or
hollow to press and hold or
massage. You can rub this point on both sides at the same time
if you're able to, and if it feels good. Or you can try
pressing on one side at a time.
There are many ways you can place your hands to reach
this acupressure point. You can use the pads of your
fingers like this.
Or your thumbs like this.
You can also try lying down, face up and support your arms
with pillows while you press on
these points. If you have trouble reaching these
points easily, you may also ask a caregiver to
press and rub it for you.
The next point is called Tai Yang. This acupressure point
is found at the temples in the low spot, about half an inch
from the outer edge of the eyebrow. This is where you'd
naturally rub when your head hurts on the sides.
Once again, you can try different amounts of pressure or
different hand positions to press or rub this point.
Try using several fingers to create a broader contact
with that area.
And then try massaging with only one finger covering a
smaller area.
Use the method that feels the best to you.
You may notice tenderness at the point where you are
pressing, and you may even notice some sensation away
from this point as well.
The next point, called LR3, is located on the top of the foot
between the 1st and 2nd toes, in the middle of the web space
between these toes.
To extend your reach, you can also try using a pencil eraser
for pressure here.
If you still have trouble reaching this point, perhaps a
caregiver can assist.
If you cannot reach this point
safely, just skip it and move on
to the next. Once again, press or hold or massage this point
for 30 seconds.
And then pause the video. If you would like to do
this on the other side.
The final point we will use is
called KD 1. This point is found on the bottom of the foot
in the center of the ball in the groove just before the arch.
Hold the foot with both hands and apply pressure with your two
thumbs, one on top of the other.
If you have trouble reaching this point with your hands,
you may be able to apply pressure to the point with a
firm ball like a tennis ball.
You can do this by rolling the foot over the ball on the floor.
You can also have a caregiver help you with pressing this
point. Press and hold our massage this point for 30
seconds. Pause the video if you would like to do
this on the other side.
This acupressure routine may be done many times a day to help
you with pain relief. Please continue to pay attention to
your body and do only what feels right. If you find certain
points to be helpful, focus on
those points. If you find other points to be uncomfortable or
hard to reach, just skip those
points. If you have discomfort with acupressure, stop
performing the routine. If you have any new or unusual
symptoms, or if your symptoms worsen, seek medical attention.
Be sure to check out our other videos which will be posted soon
on topics such as neck pain, back pain, and more.
To download a handout with pictures of the acupressure
points to use as a reference, please follow the link below.