Headache
Points traditionally pressed in East Asian medicine when the head aches include Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Hegu (LI4), Lieque (LU7), Baihui (GV20) and Taichong (LR3). This describes a tradition; good studies of pressing these points by hand are still few.
1Points traditionally pressed
1. Fengchi GB20
Why this point? A 2002 Korean review that counted the points listed for headache in classical acupuncture texts found it among the most frequent (12 times). It is classified as a crossing point of the Gallbladder meridian and the Yang Linking vessel (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing). It was also one of the fixed points in a migraine-prevention needling trial (Xu 2020).
How to press Place both thumb tips on the points, press gently for 3–5 seconds and release; repeat 5–10 times. Do not dig the thumbs deep into the neck or press while bending the neck back.
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2. Taiyang EX-HN5
Why this point? An extra point, outside the 14 meridians. In a migraine-prevention needling trial (Xu 2020, BMJ) it was one of five pairs of points given to every participant in the acupuncture group.
How to press With a middle-finger tip, rub in small light circles for 30–60 seconds. Do not push toward the eye. If the spot is tender to touch, or your jaw hurts when chewing, see a doctor instead of pressing.
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3. Hegu LI4
Why this point? In the same Korean review it was the point listed most often for headache (15 times) and, with Lieque, was described as a basic headache point in the classical texts. It is the Yuan-source point of the Large Intestine meridian and, with Taichong, forms the traditional 'Four Gates'. It was also a fixed point in the Xu 2020 trial.
How to press Pinch between the thumb and index finger of the other hand, press for 3–5 seconds and release; repeat 5–10 times on each hand. Do not press this point during pregnancy.
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4. Lieque LU7
Why this point? A Ming-dynasty verse, the 'Song of the Four Command Points' (Zhenjiu Juying), assigns the head and nape to Lieque ('頭項尋列缺'). The Korean review also named it, with Hegu, as a basic point for headache in classical texts (12 times). It is the Luo-connecting point of the Lung meridian.
How to press The skin over the bone is thin here, so press lightly with the other thumb tip for 3–5 seconds and release; repeat 5–10 times. Skip it if the wrist tendons are swollen or sore.
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5. Baihui GV20
Why this point? Classified as a meeting point of the Governor Vessel and the Foot Taiyang channel (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing). The Korean review counted it 9 times among classical headache prescriptions, and the AcuAtlas dataset lists it for pain at the crown — a record of tradition, not a claim of effect.
How to press Press lightly with a middle-finger tip and release; repeat 5–10 times. Do not press if the headache started after a blow to the head.
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6. Taichong LR3
Why this point? The Yuan-source point of the Liver meridian (Lingshu, ch. 1). Paired with Hegu as the 'Four Gates' (Yixue Rumen), and used together with Hegu as fixed points in the Xu 2020 migraine trial.
How to press Sitting down, press with a thumb for 3–5 seconds and release; repeat 5–10 times. Do not press hard or long where you feel a pulse.
Open point page →2Helpful habits
- Drink enough water and don't skip meals, even if you don't feel hungry.
- Give your eyes regular breaks from screens, and avoid alcohol.
- Sleep your usual amount — sleeping much longer than normal can make a headache worse.
- Using painkillers on 15 or more days a month (10 or more for some types) for over three months can itself cause headaches. If that sounds like you, talk to a doctor.
3See a doctor instead of pressing points
- A headache that starts suddenly and is extremely painful straight away (a 'thunderclap' headache)
- Numbness or weakness in the face or on one side of the body, or a drooping face
- Slurred speech or trouble finding words, or difficulty with balance, walking or memory
- Unusual drowsiness or confusion, or a seizure
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision
- A high temperature with a stiff neck or a strong dislike of bright light, or a rash that does not fade when pressed
- A head injury in the last three months (for example a fall or accident)
- A headache that is set off or made worse by coughing, sneezing, bending down or exercise
- A headache with vomiting, blurred vision or double vision
- Jaw pain when chewing, or a tender scalp or temple
- A first-ever headache after age 50, a headache that keeps getting worse, or a new headache that is worse in the morning or wakes you up
- A new headache during pregnancy or after giving birth
- A headache in someone with cancer, a weakened immune system or on immune-suppressing medicine
- A child's headache that is getting worse or wakes them at night
- A headache that does not improve with self-care, or keeps coming back
119 = do not press points; call emergency services now (119 in Korea, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US). soon = see a doctor first, as soon as you can (same day to within a week).
- Do not press Hegu (LI4) during pregnancy.
- At Fengchi, do not dig the thumbs deep into the neck or press while bending the neck.
- Taiyang is close to the eye — never push toward the eye.
- Taichong lies over the dorsalis pedis artery — do not press hard or long where you feel a pulse.
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4What does the research say?
| What | Study | Result | Certainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needle acupuncture — preventing frequent tension-type headache | Cochrane review 2016 (12 trials, 2,349 people) | Slightly more people halved their headache frequency than with sham needling (51% vs 43%) | moderate |
| Needle acupuncture — preventing migraine | Cochrane review 2016 (22 trials, 4,985 people) | The difference from sham needling was small | moderate |
| Hand acupressure — chronic headache | Taiwanese randomised trial 2010 (28 people, compared with a muscle relaxant, no sham group) | Pain scores were lower in the acupressure group | low (one small trial) |
?FAQ
Does acupressure actually help headaches?
Needle acupuncture has been studied more. Cochrane reviews (2016) reported a small benefit over sham needling for preventing frequent tension-type headache and migraine, with moderate-certainty evidence. Those were needle studies by practitioners. Studies of hand pressure alone are small (one trial of 28 people, Hsieh 2010), so whether acupressure helps is not known (low-certainty evidence).
Can I use acupressure instead of headache medicine?
No. Acupressure does not replace medicine or medical care. A headache that is unusual for you, keeps getting worse or comes with any warning sign above needs a doctor first. If you find yourself taking painkillers very often, talk to a doctor too.
Is it OK during pregnancy?
Hegu (LI4) is a point not to press during pregnancy. A new headache during pregnancy or after birth can itself be a reason to see a doctor, so check with your midwife or doctor first.
Reference information on traditional use and research. If symptoms persist or are severe, see a doctor first.
Sources
- Park SH, Lee BR. A literature study of acupuncture points for headache [Korean]. J Haehwa Med 2002;11(1):111-135 (English abstract) https://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO200225552554721.page (checked 2026-11-07)
- Zhenjiu Juying (1529), 'Song of the Four Command Points' — Wikisource https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/鍼灸聚英/四總穴歌 (checked 2026-11-07)
- Classifications and traditional use: our own point cards (see each point page — Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3, Lingshu, Nanjing, Yixue Rumen, AcuAtlas dataset CC BY 4.0)
- Xu S et al. Manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and usual care for prophylaxis of episodic migraine without aura. BMJ 2020;368:m697 (point list in Methods) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7249245/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- Linde K et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane 2016;CD007587 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27092807/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- Linde K et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane 2016;CD001218 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27351677/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- Hsieh LL et al. Effect of acupressure and trigger points in treating headache: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Chin Med 2010;38(1):1-14 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20128040/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- NHS, Headaches (reviewed 17 Apr 2024) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/headaches/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- NHS, Stroke — symptoms (reviewed 12 Sep 2024) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/symptoms/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- MSD Manual Consumer Version (Korean), 'Overview of headache' (reviewed 4 Feb 2025) https://www.msdmanuals.com/ko/home/뇌-척수-신경-장애/두통/두통의-개요 (checked 2026-11-07)
- Do TP et al. Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list. Neurology 2019;92(3):134-144 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30587518/ (checked 2026-11-07)
- Kebede YT et al. Medication overuse headache: a review of current evidence and management strategies. Front Pain Res 2023;4:1194134 (citing ICHD-3) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10442656/ (checked 2026-11-07)
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.