Sinus Pressure Points: 4 Spots for Congestion and Pressure

August 31, 2026

A stuffy nose and pressure around your forehead or cheeks can make it hard to sleep, focus, or breathe comfortably. If you are looking for a simple comfort measure, gentle acupressure is easy to try alongside appropriate medical care.

Four commonly used sinus pressure points are Yintang (EX-HN3) between the eyebrows, Feishu (BL13) on the upper back, Yingxiang (LI20) beside each nostril, and Shenshu (BL23) on the lower back. Pressing these spots may feel soothing or briefly make nasal discomfort feel more manageable for some people. It does not physically drain an infection, cure allergies, or replace medication.

A quick 5-minute sinus pressure-point routine

Wash your hands and sit comfortably. Use light-to-moderate pressure that feels pleasant—not sharp, painful, or numbing.

Press Yintang (EX-HN3) for 30 to 60 seconds. Release and repeat once.
Press both Feishu (BL13) points for 30 to 60 seconds, using a helper or a soft massage ball against a wall.
Press both Yingxiang (LI20) points for 20 to 30 seconds. Release and repeat up to three times.
Press both Shenshu (BL23) points for 30 to 60 seconds.

Breathe slowly throughout the routine. Stop if pressure increases your pain, causes dizziness, or makes you feel worse.

1. Yintang (EX-HN3): between the eyebrows

Woman gently pressing the Yintang EX-HN3 sinus pressure point between the eyebrows

Where it is: Yintang sits at the midpoint between your eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose.

How to press it: Rest the pad of one clean index finger on the point. Press gently for 30 to 60 seconds, or make tiny circles. Release slowly and repeat once.

Why people use it: This is a traditional acupressure point often included in routines for forehead pressure, nasal discomfort, and relaxation. Because it is easy to reach, it is a practical place to start when the area between your eyes feels tense.

Use only a fingertip here. Do not use needles, cups, scraping tools, heat, or burning moxa on your face at home.

2. Feishu (BL13): beside the upper spine

Feishu BL13 acupressure points beside the third thoracic vertebra on the upper back

Where it is: Feishu is a pair of points on the upper back, level with the lower border of the third thoracic vertebra (T3) and 1.5 proportional body-inches to either side of the spine.

How to press it: Ask a trusted helper to use two fingertips or thumbs on the muscles beside the spine. Another option is to place a soft massage ball between your upper back and a wall, then lean gently into it. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds on each side. Never press directly on the bony spine.

Why people use it: In traditional Chinese medicine, BL13 is associated with the Lung channel and is often included in breathing and nasal-comfort routines.

Skip upper-back pressure if you have a recent injury, unexplained severe back pain, fragile bones, or a condition for which your clinician has advised against massage.

3. Yingxiang (LI20): beside the nostrils

Yingxiang LI20 sinus pressure point beside the nostril in the nasolabial groove

Where it is: Find the groove that runs from the side of your nose toward the corner of your mouth. Yingxiang is on each side of the nose in this nasolabial groove, level with the midpoint of the outer edge of the nostril.

How to press it: Place a clean index finger beside each nostril. Apply gentle pressure inward and slightly upward for 20 to 30 seconds. Release and repeat up to three times.

Why people use it: LI20 is the most local point in this routine. Some people find that gentle touch beside the nose temporarily changes the sensation of stuffiness or facial pressure.

Keep your fingers outside your nostrils. Do not press over irritated, infected, recently operated, or broken skin.

4. Shenshu (BL23): beside the lower spine

Shenshu BL23 acupressure point level with L2 on the lower back

Where it is: Shenshu is a pair of points on the lower back, level with the lower border of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) and 1.5 proportional body-inches to either side of the spine.

How to press it: Place your hands on your waist with your thumbs pointing toward your back. Use gentle thumb pressure on the muscles to either side of the spine. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then release.

Why people use it: BL23 appears in traditional routines intended to support overall resilience and comfort. Its traditional name refers to the Kidney channel.

Avoid direct pressure on the spine. Do not press the area if you have new or severe low-back pain, numbness, weakness, a recent injury, or a known condition that makes massage unsafe.

Do sinus pressure points actually work?

The honest answer is that acupressure may help some people feel better, but research is limited and does not show that these points cure sinus infections or allergic rhinitis.

In a small 2021 exploratory randomized trial, 41 adults with allergic rhinitis received either rescue medication alone or rescue medication plus four weeks of self-applied body acupressure. The acupressure group reported better allergy-related quality of life and symptom scores. The result is encouraging, but the study was small. See the PubMed abstract.

Some studies involve ear acupressure, acupuncture needles, or clinician-delivered treatment. A systematic review of ear acupressure for allergic rhinitis concluded that it was still too early to confirm effectiveness. The review is indexed in PubMed. NCCIH also notes that acupuncture may help seasonal allergy symptoms. See the NCCIH acupuncture guide.

The practical takeaway: use acupressure as optional comfort care. If it helps you relax or makes pressure feel less distracting, that is useful. Do not delay proven treatment while waiting for a pressure point to work.

What else can help congestion and sinus pressure?

First, consider what may be causing the symptoms. Most sinus infections are caused by viruses and improve without antibiotics, according to the CDC.

Simple supportive options may include:

Drinking enough fluids.
Using a packaged saline nasal spray.
Taking allergy or cold medicine only as directed.
Using a saline rinse if appropriate for you.
Resting and avoiding smoke or other known irritants.

If you use a neti pot or squeeze bottle, use only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water. The FDA nasal-rinsing guide and CDC sinus-rinsing guidance explain the water-safety steps.

When to get medical care

The CDC recommends medical care if you have:

Severe headache or facial pain.
Symptoms that get worse after they had started improving.
Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
Fever lasting longer than three or four days.
Multiple sinus infections within a year.

Get urgent help for trouble breathing, confusion, fainting, a major vision change, swelling around an eye, or a severe rapidly worsening illness.

Safety tips

Use comfortable pressure. Harder pressure is not better.
Wash your hands before touching your face.
Keep fingers and tools out of the nostrils.
Do not press broken, swollen, infected, or recently operated skin.
Stop if you feel sharp pain, numbness, dizziness, nausea, or worsening symptoms.
Do not needle, puncture, bleed, scrape, cup, burn, or strongly heat these points at home.
Ask a healthcare professional before trying a new acupressure routine if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, or have a serious medical condition.

Frequently asked questions

What are sinus pressure points?

Sinus pressure points are spots used in acupressure traditions for nasal stuffiness, facial pressure, or relaxation. Common examples include Yintang between the eyebrows and Yingxiang beside the nostrils.

Which pressure point should I try first for a stuffy nose?

Yingxiang (LI20) beside each nostril is the most local point in this routine. Yintang (EX-HN3) is another easy option when discomfort is centered between the eyebrows.

How long should I hold a sinus pressure point?

Start with 20 to 60 seconds of comfortable pressure. Release, notice how you feel, and repeat up to three times.

Can pressure points drain my sinuses?

There is no good evidence that finger pressure physically drains the sinuses. Acupressure may change how pressure or congestion feels for some people.

Can acupressure cure a sinus infection or allergies?

No. Acupressure has not been shown to cure a sinus infection or eliminate allergies. It can be used as optional supportive self-care.

When should I see a doctor for sinus pressure?

Seek medical care for severe headache or facial pain, symptoms lasting more than 10 days, fever more than three or four days, or repeated sinus infections. Get urgent help for severe symptoms, breathing trouble, confusion, or swelling around an eye.

The bottom line

These four sinus pressure points offer a gentle routine you can try for temporary comfort. Keep the pressure light, treat the technique as supportive rather than curative, and continue appropriate allergy, cold, or sinus care. Persistent, severe, or unusual symptoms deserve medical attention.

Editorial note: This article is educational and is not medical advice. A licensed U.S. clinician and a licensed acupuncturist should review it before publication.