Acupressure for Migraines: Can Pressing These Points Actually Help?

When a migraine hits, you’ll try just about anything to make it stop. The pounding, the nausea, the sensitivity to every sound and sliver of light—it’s miserable. And while medications work for many people, they don’t work for everyone, and some folks are looking for options that don’t come with side effects or the risk of rebound headaches.

That’s where acupressure comes in. This traditional Chinese medicine technique uses finger pressure on specific body points to relieve pain and promote healing. But does it actually work for migraines? Let’s look at what the research says—and which pressure points might be worth trying.

What Is Acupressure and How Does It Differ from Acupuncture?

Acupressure and acupuncture are close relatives. Both are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and work by stimulating specific points on the body believed to influence energy flow (called “qi”) through pathways known as meridians.

The main difference? Acupuncture uses thin needles inserted into the skin, while acupressure uses manual pressure—typically from fingers, thumbs, or knuckles. This makes acupressure something you can do on your own, anywhere, without any equipment or professional training.

Both techniques aim to restore balance in the body and promote its natural healing abilities. When it comes to migraines, stimulating certain points may help reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and influence pain perception in the nervous system.

What Does the Research Say?

The research on acupressure specifically for migraines is still evolving, but there’s encouraging evidence worth considering.

A randomized controlled trial found that one month of acupressure treatment was more effective at reducing chronic headache pain than muscle relaxant medication—and the benefits persisted for six months after treatment ended. The study identified several key pressure points, including GB20 (at the base of the skull) and BL2 (near the eyebrows), as particularly effective.

Research on acupuncture (acupressure’s needle-based counterpart) is more extensive. A 2024 meta-analysis of 34 clinical trials involving over 3,300 migraine patients found that acupuncture therapy significantly reduced pain scores, migraine attack frequency, duration of attacks, and number of headache days compared to medication alone.

For migraine-associated nausea—which affects more than 90% of people with migraines—acupressure at the PC6 point (on the inner wrist) has shown promising results. In one study, patients using a wristband that applied continuous pressure to PC6 experienced significantly reduced nausea during migraine attacks.

The research isn’t perfect. Many studies are small, and methodology varies. But the overall picture suggests that acupressure may be a useful complement to other migraine treatments—particularly for people who want non-pharmacological options.

Key Acupressure Points for Migraine Relief

While a trained practitioner can provide personalized treatment, several pressure points are commonly used for migraine relief. Here are the ones with the most research behind them:

LI4 (Hegu) – Union Valley

Location: On the back of your hand, in the fleshy web between your thumb and index finger. When you squeeze these fingers together, it’s at the highest point of the bulge that forms.

How to use it: Pinch this area firmly (but not painfully) with the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand for about 30 seconds. You can also make small circular motions while applying pressure.

Why it may help: LI4 is one of the most studied acupressure points and is traditionally used for pain relief in the face and head. It’s been shown in research to be among the most frequently selected points for both migraine and tension-type headaches. Important: Avoid this point if you’re pregnant, as stimulating it may trigger contractions.

GB20 (Fengchi) – Gates of Consciousness

Location: At the base of your skull, in the hollow areas on either side of your neck, between the two large vertical neck muscles.

How to use it: Place your thumbs on both GB20 points simultaneously. Press firmly upward while tilting your head back slightly. Hold for 30 seconds, or massage in small circles.

Why it may help: GB20 was found to be the most commonly used acupuncture point across multiple migraine studies. It’s particularly helpful for headaches that start in the back of the head or neck—which describes many migraines—and can ease muscle tension in the occipital region.

LV3 (Tai Chong) – Great Surge

Location: On the top of your foot, in the valley between your big toe and second toe, about two finger-widths back from where the toes meet.

How to use it: Press firmly into this point with your thumb or index finger. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute, or massage in small circles.

Why it may help: LV3 is traditionally used to reduce stress, irritability, and tension—all common migraine triggers. It’s often used in combination with LI4 (a pairing called “Four Gates”) to promote overall relaxation and pain relief.

Yin Tang – Third Eye Point

Location: Right between your eyebrows, where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.

How to use it: Use your index finger to apply gentle but firm pressure for about one minute.

Why it may help: This point is believed to help with frontal headaches and can be soothing for stress-related migraines. It may also help relieve sinus pressure that sometimes accompanies or triggers headaches.

PC6 (Neiguan) – Inner Gate

Location: On the inner forearm, about three finger-widths below your wrist crease, between the two tendons.

How to use it: Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes. You can also wear an acupressure wristband that applies continuous pressure to this point.

Why it may help: PC6 is best known for treating nausea—and since nausea affects the vast majority of migraine sufferers, this point can be particularly valuable during an attack. Some people find it also helps with the overall intensity of their headache.

When to Use Acupressure for Migraines

One of the best things about acupressure is that you can use it at different stages of a migraine:

During the prodrome (warning phase): If you get warning signs before a migraine—like neck stiffness, mood changes, or food cravings—applying acupressure to GB20 and LI4 may help prevent the headache from fully developing.

During an aura: Some people find that acupressure during the aura phase (visual disturbances, tingling sensations) can reduce the severity of the headache that follows.

During an active migraine: While a full-blown migraine can make any touch feel overwhelming, gentle pressure on key points may help take the edge off—especially PC6 if nausea is a major symptom.

As prevention: Regular acupressure practice between attacks may help reduce migraine frequency over time. Some practitioners recommend a daily routine of a few minutes spent on key points.

How to Get the Best Results

If you want to try acupressure for your migraines, here are some tips:

Apply firm but comfortable pressure. You should feel sensation, but not pain. If it hurts, you’re pressing too hard.

Be consistent. Like most natural therapies, acupressure works best with regular practice. Try incorporating it into your daily routine rather than just using it during attacks.

Give it time. You may not notice dramatic results immediately. Some studies show benefits building over several weeks of regular practice.

Combine with other approaches. Acupressure tends to work best as part of a comprehensive migraine management plan. Pairing it with acupuncture treatment, medical massage, stress reduction techniques, and lifestyle modifications often produces the best results.

Create a calming environment. When possible, practice acupressure in a quiet, dimly lit space. This can enhance relaxation and make the treatment more effective.

Advantages of Acupressure Over Medication

Acupressure isn’t a replacement for medical treatment—especially for severe or frequent migraines. But it does offer some distinct advantages:

No side effects: Unlike many migraine medications, acupressure doesn’t cause drowsiness, dizziness, or other common drug side effects. The only potential issue is mild tenderness at pressure points, which typically resolves quickly.

No rebound risk: Overusing pain medications can lead to medication-overuse headaches (rebound headaches). Acupressure carries no such risk.

Always available: You can do acupressure anywhere—at work, on an airplane, at 3 a.m. when the pharmacy is closed. Your fingers are always with you.

Cost-effective: Once you learn the technique, acupressure is free. Compare that to the ongoing cost of medications or frequent office visits.

Empowering: Many migraine sufferers feel at the mercy of their headaches. Having a self-care tool you can use anytime helps restore a sense of control.

When to See a Professional

While self-acupressure can be helpful, there are times when professional treatment offers significant advantages:

If you’re new to acupressure: A trained practitioner can show you exactly where your pressure points are and the proper technique for stimulating them. Everyone’s body is slightly different, and professional guidance ensures you’re targeting the right spots.

If your migraines are severe or frequent: Chronic migraines often respond better to a comprehensive treatment plan that includes professional acupressure or acupuncture along with other therapies.

If you want personalized treatment: In traditional Chinese medicine, treatment is customized based on individual patterns of symptoms. A practitioner can identify which specific points are most likely to help your particular type of migraine.

If self-treatment isn’t working: Professional acupressure typically involves sustained treatment of multiple points in a single session—something that’s difficult to replicate on your own.

Precautions and Who Should Avoid Acupressure

Acupressure is generally very safe, but there are some situations where caution is warranted:

Pregnancy: Certain acupressure points, particularly LI4, are believed to potentially stimulate uterine contractions. Pregnant women should avoid these points or consult with a practitioner who specializes in pregnancy care.

Skin conditions: Don’t apply pressure to areas with open wounds, burns, infections, rashes, or inflammation.

Blood clotting disorders: People taking blood thinners or with bleeding disorders should use gentle pressure and be aware that bruising may occur more easily.

Cancer: If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, consult your oncologist before trying acupressure, particularly near lymph nodes or tumor sites.

Recent surgery: Avoid acupressure near surgical sites until fully healed.

If you have severe or sudden-onset headaches, headaches accompanied by fever, or headaches that represent a significant change from your usual pattern, see a doctor rather than trying to self-treat.

Acupressure as Part of a Bigger Picture

Here’s the honest truth about acupressure for migraines: it’s probably not going to be a miracle cure on its own. But as part of a comprehensive approach to migraine management, it can be a valuable tool.

Many of our patients find the best results when they combine acupressure with:

• Professional acupuncture for deeper, more sustained treatment
• Medical massage to address muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
• Dry needling to release trigger points that may contribute to headaches
• Lifestyle modifications (regular sleep, hydration, stress management)
• Identification and avoidance of personal migraine triggers

The goal isn’t to find one magic solution—it’s to build a toolkit of strategies that work together to reduce how often you get migraines and how severe they are when they do occur.

The Bottom Line

Acupressure offers a safe, accessible, and cost-free option for migraine sufferers looking for natural relief. While the research specifically on acupressure for migraines is still growing, studies on related techniques like acupuncture show promising results for reducing headache frequency, intensity, and duration.

The key pressure points to try include LI4 (on the hand), GB20 (at the base of the skull), LV3 (on the foot), Yin Tang (between the eyebrows), and PC6 (on the inner wrist for nausea). With proper technique and consistent practice, many people find meaningful relief.

Is it a replacement for medical treatment? No. But is it worth trying as part of your migraine management strategy? For most people, absolutely.