Easing migraine without medication: How acupressure can help

Migraine is more than a “bad headache”. It is a neurological disease that shapes the lives of many women, and a portion of men, for decades. Medications often help but have side effects, efficacy limits, or eventually stop working reliably. Acupressure is not a replacement for conventional medicine, but a complementary method that has shown measurable effects in studies of headaches and migraine.

What distinguishes migraine from common headaches

Migraine is not simply a tension headache in severe form. Characteristic features:

• One-sided, pulsating pain (often temple, forehead, eye area)
• Worsening with physical activity
• Accompanying symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound
• Duration: 4 to 72 hours untreated
• In some, with aura: visual disturbances, tingling, speech disturbances as precursors

Behind migraine lie complex neurovascular processes, inflammation of brain vessels, activation of the trigeminal nerve, genetic predisposition. Typical triggers: hormonal fluctuations, stress, lack of sleep, certain foods, weather changes.

What acupressure can deliver for migraine

The evidence for acupuncture in migraine is comparatively robust, a Cochrane meta-analysis (Linde et al., 2016) confirmed positive effects for migraine prophylaxis. Acupressure uses the same points without needles; evidence is smaller but there are indications of effectiveness, particularly for accompanying nausea and in the prodromal phase (at the first sign).

What is realistically achievable: – Relief of acute symptoms (especially when used early) – Reduction of accompanying nausea – Prophylactically: reduction of migraine frequency with regular treatment – Better handling of stress-related triggers

What acupressure is not: – No replacement for neurological evaluation, especially for first-time or significantly changed migraine – No guarantee of a migraine-free life – No emergency substitute for signs of stroke or aneurysm

The most important pressure points for migraine

PC6 (Neiguan, “Inner Gate”)

Location: on the inside of the wrist, three finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the two tendons.

Effect: the best-documented acupressure point against nausea. Also usable during pregnancy and chemotherapy.

LI4 (Hegu, “Meeting of the Valleys”)

Location: on the back of the hand, in the depression between thumb and index finger.

Effect: classical pain point in TCM, especially for headaches.

Important: avoid during pregnancy, considered labour-inducing.

GB20 (Fengchi, “Pool of Wind”)

Location: at the base of the skull, in the depressions left and right of the spine, roughly at the border between skull and neck.

Effect: for migraine with aura, neck tension, dizziness. Particularly effective for migraine triggered by neck tension.

Yintang (between the eyebrows)

Location: exactly in the middle between the eyebrows (the “third eye”).

Effect: for forehead headaches, concentration problems, restlessness.

GB14 (Yangbai)

Location: about one finger-width above the middle of the eyebrow.

Effect: for forehead headaches and pressure behind the forehead.

LI20 (next to the nose), optional for sinus pressure

Location: lateral to the nostril, in the depression.

Effect: for migraine with simultaneous sinus pressure.

Self-application in the acute phase

Protocol at first warning signs:

1. PC6 both sides, 60 seconds firm thumb pressure
2. LI4 both sides, 60 seconds firm pressure
3. GB20 both sides, 60 seconds deep pressure, head slightly tilted back
4. Yintang, 30 seconds gentle circular pressure
5. Meanwhile: calm abdominal breathing, ideally in a darkened room

Most effective: as soon as the first warning signs appear. Once the full headache phase has begun, the effect is often weaker.

Professional acupressure treatment

A 90-minute acupressure session with a trained therapist goes beyond self-application:

• History: triggers, frequency, patterns, accompanying symptoms
• Individual constitution pattern identified (in TCM: liver yang rising, blood stagnation, deficiency or excess patterns)
• Point combination based on constitution
• Additional techniques: skull, neck, and shoulder massage, acupressure along meridians
• Relaxation level: the autonomic nervous system is calmed more deeply than through self-application

When to urgently see a doctor

In the following situations, don’t rely on acupressure but have medical evaluation first:

• First-time migraine in life or after a long pause
• Suddenly changed pattern (significantly more frequent, stronger, different)
• The worst headache of your life, possible warning sign for subarachnoid haemorrhage
• Headache with fever and neck stiffness, meningitis suspicion
• Accompanying neurological deficits (one-sided weakness, speech disturbances, blurred vision), stroke suspicion
• Headache after an accident or head injury

In such cases, emergency call or the emergency room takes priority over any other consideration.

Acupressure as part of an overall strategy

Migraine rarely improves with a single method, usually a bundle is needed:

• Medication therapy (acute and prophylactic medication, neurologically adjusted)
• Lifestyle factors: sleep hygiene, regular meals, stress management
• Movement: endurance training reduces migraine frequency in studies
• Relaxation techniques: progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises
• Acupressure/acupuncture as a complementary pillar

Those who combine several of these building blocks have the best chances for fewer and milder migraine attacks.

Health insurance: What’s reimbursed?

Acupressure with EMR-certified therapists (such as Anzhelika Wyss, EMR-certified) is reimbursed by many supplementary insurance policies. Billing is under EMR tariff 590. The extent of reimbursement depends on the individual supplementary insurance contract, check with your own insurance beforehand.

Pricing

Acupressure 60 min.: CHF 140 Acupressure 90 min.: CHF 190 EMR-certified · reimbursement receipt (tariff 590) included

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Also of interest: Neck-shoulder massage for tension headaches

Sources

• Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;6:CD001218.
• Chen YJ, et al. Acupressure in the treatment of migraine. Explore (NY) 2019;15(4):302-308.

Individual results may vary. This content does not replace medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can acupressure replace my migraine medication?

No. Acupressure is a complement, not a replacement. It can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, complementing a neurologically adjusted acute and prophylactic medication. No unauthorised medication adjustments without medical consultation.

When is acupressure most effective for migraine?

At the first warning signs, right at the start, before the full headache sets in. Once the migraine has begun, the effect is usually weaker. Regular prophylactic sessions can reduce overall frequency.

Which acupressure points can I press myself for migraine?

PC6 (wrist, for nausea), GB20 (base of skull, for neck tension), Yintang (between the eyebrows). The otherwise very effective LI4 (back of hand) must be strictly avoided during pregnancy.

When must I go to the emergency room with migraine?

With the worst headache of your life, with neurological deficits (one-sided weakness, speech disturbances, blurred vision), with headache and fever and neck stiffness, or after a head injury. In such cases, emergency call or emergency room immediately.

### Read more Sleep problems & stress, TCM approaches → · Acupressure vs. acupuncture → · 5 acupressure points for self-application →

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