Pressure Points for Headaches: 4 Spots to Try （Acupressure Massage Guide 02)

August 31, 2026

Pressure Points for Headaches: 4 Spots to Try

A headache can make it hard to work, sleep, or focus. If you want a simple, drug-free comfort measure, gentle acupressure may be worth trying alongside your usual care.

Four commonly used pressure points for headaches are Fengchi (GB20) at the base of the skull, Taiyang (EX-HN5) at the temples, Taichong (LR3) on the top of the foot, and Sishencong (EX-HN1) around the crown of the head. Pressing these spots may feel relaxing and may temporarily ease muscle tension or discomfort for some people. It does not treat every cause of headache, and it should not replace medical care or prescribed treatment.

A quick 5-minute headache pressure-point routine

Sit somewhere quiet and let your shoulders drop. Use firm but comfortable pressure—never enough to cause sharp pain, bruising, numbness, or dizziness.

Press both Fengchi (GB20) points for 30 to 60 seconds. Release, then repeat two more times.
Make slow circles over both Taiyang (EX-HN5) points for 30 seconds in each direction.
Press Taichong (LR3) on each foot for 30 to 60 seconds.
Gently press the four Sishencong (EX-HN1) points for 20 to 30 seconds each.

Slow breathing can make the routine more relaxing. Stop if the headache gets worse or you feel unwell.

1. Fengchi (GB20): at the base of the skull

Fengchi GB20 pressure point at the base of the skull

Where it is: Feel along the base of your skull. On each side of the neck, find the soft hollow between the two large neck muscles, just below the occipital bone.

How to press it: Place your thumbs in the two hollows and rest your fingers over the back of your head. Press slightly upward toward the skull. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds while breathing slowly, then release. Repeat up to three times.

Why people use it: GB20 is one of the headache points frequently used in acupuncture and acupressure practice. It is especially easy to combine with a brief neck-and-shoulder relaxation break when your head feels tight after screen time or prolonged sitting.

Do not press hard into the front or side of the neck. Keep your pressure on the muscular hollow at the back of the neck.

2. Taiyang (EX-HN5): the temple point

Taiyang EX-HN5 temple pressure point for headaches

Where it is: Find the shallow depression at each temple, about one finger-width behind the midpoint between the outer end of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye.

How to press it: Rest one or two fingertips on each temple. Use very light pressure and make small, slow circles for 30 seconds. Reverse direction for another 30 seconds.

Why people use it: The temples are a common area of discomfort during tension headaches and migraine attacks. Gentle touch here can be soothing, but results vary from person to person.

The temple is a sensitive area. Do not use a needle, lancet, scraping tool, or forceful pressure. Never try to make the point bleed.

3. Taichong (LR3): on the top of the foot

Taichong LR3 pressure point on the top of the foot

Where it is: Start in the web between the big toe and second toe. Slide your finger back along the top of the foot until you feel a small depression before the first and second metatarsal bones meet.

How to press it: Use your thumb to apply steady, comfortable pressure for 30 to 60 seconds. Release and repeat on the other foot. You can do two or three rounds.

Why people use it: LR3 is traditionally included in routines for stress-related tension and irritability. A foot point may seem unrelated to a headache, but acupressure systems often combine local points near the painful area with distant points on the hands or feet.

Skip this point if the area is injured, swollen, infected, or recently operated on.

4. Sishencong (EX-HN1): four points around the crown

Sishencong EX-HN1 pressure points around the crown of the head

Where it is: First locate Baihui (GV20), near the top of the head where an imaginary line connecting the highest points of both ears crosses the center line of the scalp. Sishencong consists of four points arranged around Baihui—one in front, one behind, one to the left, and one to the right—each about one traditional body-inch, or roughly a thumb-width, away.

How to press it: Use your fingertips to press each point gently for 20 to 30 seconds. You can also rest four fingertips around the crown and make tiny circles. Keep the pressure light.

Why people use it: These scalp points are traditionally used in routines intended to calm the mind and ease head discomfort. Because scalp anatomy and head shapes vary, use the diagram as a general guide rather than trying to measure with precision at home.

Do not use needles, burning moxa, or heated devices on your scalp without care from a properly trained, licensed professional.

Do headache pressure points actually work?

The honest answer is: they may help some people, but the evidence for self-applied acupressure is still limited.

A small randomized trial of 28 people with chronic headache found better pain and quality-of-life scores after a month of acupressure than after muscle-relaxant medication. GB20 and GV20 were among the points commonly used in that study. You can read the abstract in PubMed.

There is more research on acupuncture than on acupressure. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says acupuncture may reduce the frequency of migraine and tension-type headaches. See the NCCIH overview of headache research and its acupuncture safety and effectiveness guide.

Treat acupressure as a low-cost comfort tool, not a cure. If headaches are frequent, changing, or disrupting your life, talk with a healthcare professional.

Can I use these points for a migraine?

You can try gentle pressure if touch feels comfortable during a migraine, but migraine pressure points are not a substitute for a migraine treatment plan. Some people become more sensitive to touch, light, sound, or smell during an attack. If touching your head or temples feels unpleasant, skip those areas and rest in a dark, quiet room instead.

Continue any medication your clinician has recommended. Do not delay prescribed rescue treatment while waiting for acupressure to work.

When not to rely on acupressure

Call emergency services or seek urgent care for a headache that:

Starts suddenly and feels explosive or like the worst headache of your life.
Comes with weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, or vision changes.
Comes with fever, a stiff neck, severe vomiting, or a seizure.
Starts after a head injury.
Is new during pregnancy or soon after delivery, especially with high blood pressure.

Get prompt medical advice for a new headache after age 50, or a major change in your usual headache pattern. Warning signs summarized from MedlinePlus.

Safety tips

Keep pressure comfortable. More force is not better.
Do not press over broken skin, a rash, infection, swelling, or a recent injury.
Stop if you feel sharp pain, numbness, dizziness, nausea, or worsening symptoms.
If you are pregnant or have a serious medical condition, ask a healthcare professional before starting.
Children and older adults may need much lighter pressure.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best pressure points for headaches?

Commonly used headache pressure points include Fengchi (GB20) at the base of the skull, Taiyang (EX-HN5) at the temples, Taichong (LR3) on the foot, and Sishencong (EX-HN1) around the crown. No single point is best for everyone.

How long should I hold a headache pressure point?

Start with 20 to 60 seconds of comfortable, steady pressure. Release and repeat up to three times. Stop sooner if the area becomes painful.

Can acupressure make a headache go away immediately?

It may provide temporary relief for some people, but it is not guaranteed to stop a headache. Sudden, severe, or recurring headaches need medical evaluation.

Is acupressure the same as acupuncture?

No. Acupressure uses fingers or a blunt tool on the skin. Acupuncture inserts thin needles and should be performed by a qualified professional.

The bottom line

These four pressure points for headaches offer a simple routine you can try when you want gentle, non-drug comfort. Use light-to-moderate pressure, keep expectations realistic, and pay attention to warning signs. Acupressure can support your care, but it cannot replace the treatment you need.