Acupressure points for sinus pressure can help you find relief when your nose feels blocked and your head feels heavy. By gently pressing certain spots on your face, you can help encourage drainage, improve airflow, and feel more at ease. This guide walks you through how to find and work with these points using simple, calming steps.
Point Beside the Nostril
Place your fingertip just outside the edge of your nostril. Press gently but firmly and hold for a few seconds before releasing. Then move your finger in small, slow circles for about a minute. If the spot feels tender, lighten your touch. Repeat this on both sides of your nose to help relieve congestion.
Many people notice that this point also reduces tension in the upper lip and boosts circulation around the nose. Try using your thumb or index finger, whichever feels more natural. Continue until you feel a mild warmth under your fingertip, which can signal that the area is responding.
Point Below the Nostril
Slide your finger to the space directly below your nostril, just above your upper lip. Press down gently and hold for 30 seconds while breathing deeply through your nose. After the hold, massage the area in soft circles for another 30 seconds.
This point may help ease pressure in your cheeks and reduce the discomfort that radiates to your upper teeth. It’s especially soothing when done while reclining, such as in bed before sleep. You can also use it in the morning if your face feels tight after waking up.
Point Between the Eyebrows
Find the spot between your eyebrows, right above the bridge of your nose. Apply gentle pressure with your fingertip and hold for about one minute. If it starts to ache, reduce the pressure until it feels balanced. After the hold, rub in slow, small circles for another 30 seconds.
Pressing this area may help quiet sinus pressure and bring warmth to your forehead, making it easier to breathe. Many people find this point helpful when they feel a heavy or pounding sensation in their head. Use your middle finger for better control, and close your eyes while pressing for a calming effect.
Point on the Forehead Near the Hairline
Move your finger to the center of your forehead, about one finger width back from your hairline. Press lightly and hold for a full minute. Keep your head steady and breathe slowly throughout. Afterward, massage in gentle circles for 30 seconds. This spot may help relieve pressure from the front sinuses and create a light, open feeling in the scalp.
It’s especially useful when your forehead feels tight or full. Sit up straight before beginning, especially if you’ve been lying down. You may notice sinus relief soon after you start. If you wear glasses, remove them before pressing to give your hand full access to the area.
Point on the Cheek Below the Eye
Place your finger directly beneath your eye, aligned with the center of your pupil when looking straight ahead. Apply light pressure and hold for about 45 seconds. Then release and massage the area in tiny, slow circles for another 30 seconds. This point can reduce puffiness in the cheeks and help release sinus pressure, especially around the cheekbones.
Many people who spend long hours at a computer find this helpful, as facial tension can build without warning. You can use a clean fingertip or wear a fingertip cover if you prefer. Keep a tissue nearby in case this technique triggers mild mucus movement.
Point on the Temples
Place your middle finger on your temple, which is the soft area about one inch to the side of your eye. Press with a calm, even force for 60 seconds. Inhale deeply as you hold and then slowly exhale. After holding, move your finger in circles for 30 seconds. This spot can ease tension in your head and help mucus flow.
Pressing on your temples may also ease tension in your jaw because the muscles connect there. If you tend to clench your jaw when stressed, doing this point can help relax your entire face. You can lean back on a chair or sofa and keep your shoulders down while you press.
Point Between the Thumb and Index Finger
Clench your hand slightly and find the muscle that bulges between your thumb and index finger. Press the firm spot with your opposite thumb and hold for 45 seconds. Then rub in soft circles for another 30 seconds. This point can help ease head pressure and improve breathing.
You may observe that your shoulder on the same side loosens as you press here since the muscles connect through your arm. Some people find that this technique helps clear their thinking when they feel foggy.
If you plan to drive or focus on a task, try this before you start. You can use your left hand on your right hand and then switch. Keep your arm relaxed so that you do not feel tension in your wrist. This point may also ease stiffness in your neck if you hold it long enough.
Point on the Top of the Head
Gently find the center point at the top of your head by drawing an imaginary line from the tips of both ears up to the top. Press with gentle pressure for 60 seconds. Breathe smoothly as you hold. After holding, rub in small circles for 30 seconds. This point can help all the sinuses feel less tight and give you a sense of relief.
Pressing this spot may also shift tension away from your scalp and down toward your neck. People often say that they feel a gentle pulsing under their fingertips as air flows more freely. You can do this while you lie down or sit up. If you lie down, use a pillow to support your neck. Keep your hand steady so that you do not lose your place.
Point on the Jawline
Rest your finger on the lower edge of your jawline, about one inch from the corner of your mouth. Press with a calm, firm push and hold for 45 seconds. Breathe in deeply while you press, then breathe out. After the hold, rub in tiny circles for 30 seconds. This location can help ease pressure in your cheeks and feel soothing near your sinuses.
This spot can also ease soreness in your jaw muscles for those who grind their teeth at night. If you have stiffness from talking or chewing, pressing here can soften the muscle quickly. Use a mirror to find the exact spot if you wish, then use gentle but firm pressure. You can add a gentle stretch by gently opening and closing your mouth as you hold the point.
Point Behind the Ear
Find the spot just behind the bottom of your ear, where there is a small hollow space. Press down gently with your finger and hold for one full minute. As you hold, take slow, gentle breaths. Then, massage the area in small circles for 30 seconds. This spot can help ease tension in your head and make breathing feel easier.
Since this point sits near muscles that run down your neck, pressing here often eases stiffness in the back of your head as well. You may feel a slight heat as blood flows to the area. Keeping your palm cupped around the base of your skull can help you balance your head as you press.
How to Use These Points
You can press these spots whenever you feel your nose is stuffy or your head feels heavy. Sit in a quiet spot and close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Press each spot one by one and hold the pressure. Move your finger in small circles as you massage. You may feel a slight ache.
If it hurts too much, press more lightly. Try to spend about one to two minutes on each point. For best results, practice this routine twice a day. You can do it before breakfast to clear your head and after dinner to relax your sinuses before sleep.
Messina Acupuncture is your trusted clinic for pain relief through acupressure and acupuncture. We guide you as you learn these simple steps to ease your sinus pressure and breathe more freely. Our approach focuses on gentle techniques that respect your body’s natural rhythms. You can come to our clinic in East Setauket, New York, where we walk you through each point and teach you how to press correctly.
If you have questions or need guidance, please contact us for more information.