Press Here For Your Head
Theres nothing like a throbbing head to wreck your day. But instead of reflexively reaching for a pill, you could actually help your body heal itself: In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and acupressure have been used for pain management for thousands of years, and it looks like Western science may finally be catching on to this approach.
Science is showing more and more that the stimulation of certain pressure points can affect the neural fibres in the brain as well as the peripheral nervous system, says Paul Robison, a licensed acupuncturist in Washington, D.C., and the founder of Flourish Health Arts. A review of studies published in 2016 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, for instance, found that acupuncture was effective in helping treat patients with frequent or chronic tension-type headaches. And a study published in 2017 in JAMA Internal Medicine found that acupuncture not only helps get rid of a migraine, it can also reduce the frequency that people have them.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles along specific pathways, called meridians, which may stimulate the bodys healing process. Acupressure stimulates the same pressure points but relies on fingers instead of needles to apply pressure. Its all about releasing tension and restoring balance in the body, Robison says.
Give Yourself A Quick Mini
Usually, massages are great for our bodies and make us feel good, so why not try a mini-massage when you are feeling like a knot of sinus pressure is building up in your head? In this video, massage therapist Heather Wibbels shows you how you can pull the fluid from your head with a quick and easy mini-massage.
Use your fingertips to push firmly on the notch of your collarbone repetitively to get the fluid moving downwards. If the acupressure is working you will feel the need to clear your throat and your ears might suddenly open up when the pressure in them has been released.
However, some people may find this uncomfortable. If that is the case for you, cross your hands and make a V shape, and then use the same pumping motion on the sides of your neck so that the lymph fluid is released. In both of these movements, a lymphatic vacuum is created and it helps move the fluid that is collected in your sinuses to drain downwards and away from your head.
Where Are The Sinuses
The sinuses are hollow spaces or cavities in the bones around the nose. Your sinuses make mucus or fluid. The mucus drains into your nasal cavity and down the back of your throat. This keeps your nose moist and gets rid of dust, allergens, and germs.
There are four pairs of sinuses connected to your nose:
- in the cheekbones on each side of your nose
- above your eyes near the forehead
- between the eyes and the bridge of your nose
- behind your eyes
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Acupressure Points For Energy
4) Three Mile Foot : This point is four finger widths below the lower edge of the kneecap and one finger width to the outside of the shinbone . Youll know youve got it if, when you flex your foot, the leg muscle moves under your fingers.
The point is often used by runners and hikers to squeeze out the extra three miles of energy the name implies. Put pressure on this point to revitalize the chi of the entire body.
When To See A Doctor
While pressure points can work to relieve headaches, there are some cases where its important to see a doctor. Headaches are a common problem, but sometimes they can be indicative of a more serious health issue.
For regular headache pain, use the pressure points. However, see a doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Severe and debilitating headache pain
- A sudden and unusual onset of headache pain
- Headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or other symptoms and
- Headache causing blurry or distorted vision.
Headaches are one of the most common types of pain. Most people will experience a headache at some point in their life, but for some people, headaches can be a reoccurring, chronic problem. Headache pain can range from annoying to severe, and can have a negative impact on our life.
Pressure points are effective for reducing headache pain. There are a number of headache pressure points throughout the head, face, neck, hands, and feet that can help us alleviate pain, relieve tension, and improve circulation. So if you have an aching head, make use of the benefits of acupressure!
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Promote Sinus Wellness This Season
Tis the season for sniffles, sinus pressure, and congestion, but with the help of a few pressure points, you can better support your sinuses and be able to breathe clearly again! Dont let sinus pressure get in the way of your workouts this season.
Pressure points stem from Traditional Chinese Medicine heard of acupuncture? Acupressure were actually the precursor to needles! Acupressure is a noteworthy method to promote sinus health, and is a quick and efficient method that you can do right in your own home.
The Center For Disease Control reports that roughly 28 million adults are diagnosed with sinus issues, making this health issue a concern for many. Additionally, many acupuncturists commonly see patients who are managing sinus problems and seeking relief.
The great news is, you can perform acupressure on yourself using your hands and fingers to find pressure points along certain places on your face and body.
Other Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Sinus Pressure
Below are some other options to show you how to relieve sinus pain without doing facial reflexology.
- Use a humidifier: Moist air keeps the sinuses lubricated so they dont become irritated.
- Use a saline spray: Saline nasal sprays are good for lubricating the lining of the nasal passage. A hot shower will also help to get moisture into the sinuses.
- Keep hydrated: Staying hydrated is important, especially by drinking hot beverages. Ginger tea with lemon has anti-inflammatory properties and will help boost your immune system, and it also provides your body with vitamins and nutrients to help fight off the infection causing pressure and pain.
- Warm compresses: Placing a warm compress on your face while lying down will help reduce sinus pressure.
- Elevate your head at night: Propping yourself up with a few pillows will allow the mucus to drain better.
- Eucalyptus:Eucalyptus is an anti-inflammatory herb, so drinking tea or inhaling steam with eucalyptus oil in it can clear out the nasal passages.
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How To Use Acupressure To Clear Stuffy Sinuses
We are no strangers to that sensation of suffocation when we get a stuffy nose right? It feels like you may never breathe normally again. Our sinuses can get blocked for many reasons such as allergies and colds or even climate changes. When this happens running to the doctor for some medicines may seem like the only option that you have is to go to a doctor. However, sometimes these issues can be solved with a little bit of acupressure, or simply touching a pressure point.
Pressure Points To Relieve Sinus Pressure
There are various pressure points on the face, all of which are known for alleviating sinus pressure. Find out where these sinus pressure points are and how you can apply the right amount of pressure to them.
1. Between the Eyes
The first pressure point is located between the eyes and just above the bridge of the nose, as shown in the image below:
You can do one of two things: tap the point or press it for about two minutes. You can use any of your fingers. This helps the mucus to run out instead of drying up and creating infection in the sinuses. This pressure point can also help alleviate the discomfort brought about by a cold.
2. Both Sides of the Nostrils
First, locate the two points on either side of your nostrils as shown in the picture below:
Next, use your index fingers to press both points firmly and at the same time. Your fingers should be at right angles to the point in question. This is particularly effective for any pain behind the cheeks. Keep pressing for a minute at a time, in order to allow the sinuses to drain out without getting dried up and getting inflamed. Using this pressure point also helps prevent respiratory illnesses.
3. Bridge of the Nose
These are two points located just at the edge of the bridge of the nose, right where the nose connects to the two ends of the eyebrows. The picture below explains the exact location of the points:
4. Under the Cheeks
5. The Philtrum
This is the spot located right under the nose, as seen below:
6. Eyebrows
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Pressure Points To Drain Sinuses
In addition to manual massages, you can also access sinus pressure points using a technique called acupressure. This ancient healing technique originated in China and uses the same principles as acupuncture except you use your fingers to trigger the pressure points instead of needles.
Here are some pressure points to trigger to help relieve sinus pain and congestion. Simply press and gently massage these areas for several minutes or until you feel relief.
- Acupresssure Point BL2: Located where your eyebrow meets your nose, this pressure point can help relieve frontal headaches.
- Acupresssure Point GB20: Located at the back of your head where the skull meets neck muscles, this pressure point can relieve midline headaches.
- Acupresssure Point L3: Located on your foot between the tendons of your big toe and second toe, this pressure point can help with headaches.
- Acupresssure Point LI4: Located on your hand between the thumb and index finger, this pressure point can help relieve sinus congestion.
- Acupresssure Point LI 20: Located at the base of your nose, this pressure point can help relieve sinus pressure.
- Acupresssure Point SI18: Located where your cheekbones meet your nose, this pressure point can relieve sinus congestion.
While at-home remedies can provide relief from mild sinus infections and sinus-related congestion, you should see an otolaryngologist for more chronic symptoms. To learn more about what these specialists do, visit our blog on ENTs.
Acupressure And Acupuncture For Sinuses
Acupuncture is used to treat chronic sinus pressure and other symptoms.
Research from 2006 found that about 99 percent of acupuncturists in the United States treat sinus problems. Similarly, the Cleveland Clinic recommends using acupressure to relieve sinus pressure due to allergies.
While more research is needed on using acupressure to treat sinus symptoms, this practice may help improve blood flow, relax muscles, and help mucus drain from the sinuses.
You can do acupressure for sinus symptoms on yourself. It only takes a few minutes.
You can press on the acupressure points or gently rub or rotate your fingers in a circular motion over the area.
You can also get professional acupressure treatment from a certified acupuncturist. Some massage therapists may also use acupressure points.
Here are the main acupressure points for sinus relief and how to find them:
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Causes Of Blocked And Runny Noses
Most people have runny or blocked noses from a cold caused by a viral infection. If the runny nose just wont go away and accompanied by a feeling of pressure and a headache, it might be due to sinusitis . If the runny nose recurs annually in the spring or summer and it is accompanied by sneezing and itchy eyes, hay fever from allergies should be considered. If you suspect sinusitis or an allergy-related runny nose, you should have a doctor look into it in any case.
Sinus Pressure Points In Face
Your beautiful face indulges some points, and each of them has too many benefits.
Today, lets see how these pressure points work and what you can expect if you are massaging or pressing those pressure points on your face.
Between your Eyes
If I need to say the exact location, it must be in between your eyebrows and above the nose bridge, you can feel your eyebrow edges meet together, this is the perfect point you are going to massage or access. Press and knead this point and then tap correctly on the spot for a minute.
What does it do?
This massage over the point will help in proper mucus secretion, also prevent the sinus from becoming inflamed and drying up. You will feel that you are out from rhinitis and cold, you can also press this point if you are not getting a good night sleep.
Yeah, make use of the glass bead or small plastic to tap, and this will calm down you from the stress and provide a peaceful and sound sleep. Apart from the above benefits, relieves the pressure in case of the frontal sinuses.
Both Side of the Nostrils
This point can be easily identified, the place located on the immediate nostril sides. Make sure you press or massage both the nostril side down at the similar time, this will help in draining your sinus rapidly and efficiently.
Do you have pain in behind your cheeks? Then do try the same pressure point for getting rid of the strain in the area. You can make use of your two fingers and then massage against the ends at 90 degrees.
Nose Bridge
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Use Your Tongue And Then Press Between Your Eyebrows
It has been shown that by placing pressure on various pressure points of our body, we can stimulate the flow of fluid that has gotten collected and get our noses to breathe clearly. One of the best locations where you can use acupressure for sinus issues is inside your mouth. Simply push your tongue until it is flat against the roof of your mouth and at the same time that you are doing this, push one finger against your forehead right between your eyebrows. Hold this pressure for about 20 seconds and you will begin to feel the relief of pressure. Once you release your tongue and take your finger away you will feel some movement towards the back of your throat when the pressure buildup begins to dissipate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP0mTdX-138
if that does not seem to be working for you, alternate between pressing your tongue against the roof o your mouth and then pressing between your eyebrows without doing both at the same time. In acupressure, this point between your eyebrows is referred to as the Yintang acupoint where the nasion is located. Dr Joseph M. Helms, author of Acupuncture Energetics: A Clinical Approach for Physicians says that this causes the vomer bone to move or rock back and forth. This loosens the congestion and causes drainage.
How To Use Pressure Points To Relieve Sinus Pressure Instantly
Gently press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, while doing so, place your thumb between your eyes and apply gentle but firm pressure for about 20 seconds, which will cause your sinuses to drain naturally. Some causes of sinus pressure include hay fever, allergies to pollen or foods, and barometric pressure changes due to a change in the weather.
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The Next Time You Have A Headache A Stuffy Nose Or Insomnia Dont Fret Try Using Your Own Hands To Heal Yourself With Acupressure
The next time you have a headache, a stuffy nose, or insomnia, dont fret! Try using your own hands to heal yourself with acupressure.
What is acupressure? Lets start with an explanation of acupuncture, the 5000-year-old Chinese medical system that treats patients by inserting needles in the body at certain energy points to produce healing in the body. Acupressure follows the same principles as acupuncture, but you stimulate the energy points with your fingers instead of needles.
In my Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, I have seen many success stories with acupressure. Here is just one example: Recently, the 8-year-old daughter of one of my patients was suffering from a headache. I simply pressed the Valley of Harmony acupoint between her thumb and index finger, and the headache vanished within five minutes. Acupressure is that simple and accessible.
There are thousands of research articles on acupuncture and acupressure: The overall finding is that these healing techniques encourage self-regulation that leads to health and balance. Research has shown that acupuncture and acupressure exhibit effectiveness in treating a wide variety of conditions, including lower back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, nausea, addiction, insomnia and diabetes to name just a few.
Ready to try acupressure on yourself? Try these 3 points!
How to Get Started:
Point 1: Sinus Support
Point 2: Relax and Relieve Insomnia
Point 3: Alleviate Headaches and Pain
Welcome Fragrance Pressure Point
Another spot that is good for both sinus congestion and headaches, the welcome fragrance pressure point is easy to remember. Its just to the side of each nostril, hence the name. Apply pressure to these points for up to one minute and release. Repeat several times a week or whenever you have a headache.
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Acupressure Point For Arm Pain And Digestion
2) Pool at the Crook : As its name suggests, this point is in the crook of the elbow. Hold your left arm in front of you at a 90-degree angle, as if it was in a sling. Turn the left palm up. Place your right thumb at the outside end of the elbow crease . Press firmly. Switch arms.
Use this point to relieve pain in the arm, elbow, or shoulder. Pressure here can also regulate the digestive tract.