Acupressure is a technique that applies manual pressure to specific pressure points located on the body. Both acupressure and acupuncture techniques were developed by the ancient Chinese more than 5,000 years ago. Practitioners believe that life energy---known as chi---flows through specific points and that "blocked" chi results in illness or health disorders. Acupressure can be used to eliminate headaches, menstrual cramps, tension, nausea and other issues---and the best part is that you can learn to apply these techniques yourself, which is not only convenient but also inexpensive.
Techniques for Headache Pain
According to Aurora Health Care, there are various pressure-point techniques you can use to relieve mild to moderate headache pain. These techniques involve using your fingers to rub specific points on the body in a semicircular motion. Apply this to the occipital bone---which is found on the back of your head, approximately 1/5 inches inward from below your ears, or to the dorsum, which is on the skin of your hand between your pointer finger and thumb. Once you locate these spots, rub the pressure point in a semicircular motion for about five minutes. If you can't find someone to do this in tandem with you, can do one hand or one side at a time and then switch to the other.
Specific Pressure-Point Techniques
According to Acupressure Online.org, there are specific pressure points on the head/scalp, neck/shoulder, chest/stomach and legs/feet that correspond to major organs and areas of the body. For example, using the pressure points for the leg and feet can include running four fingers up the bottom part of your leg toward the knee and then stopping once your fingers reach your knee. This technique increases energy and is said to reduce depression and leg pain. To reach the pressure points of your head or scalp, draw a imaginary line between the middle of your ears to the top part of your head. This technique reduces headaches and dizziness. To stimulate the pressure points in your arms and/or hands, run your fingers along your elbow joint to the inside of your biceps. This is said to reduce anxiety and stomach and chest problems.
Tags: pressure points, your fingers, your head, head scalp, part your, points your, pressure points your