Plethora of Points – Which Ones Should I Start With?
You may find it somewhat daunting to know where to begin to use acupressure for headache relief. Let’s narrow down your possibilities.
Firstly, you need to know if your client is a headache responder. Start with the powerful Tiger’s Mouth point. Apply pressure to the Tiger’s Mouth point in between the web space of the thumb and index finger. Is there tenderness here? If so, your client might be an acupressure responder. If not, your chances of success with acupressure just dropped significantly.
Acupressure Point Tenderness Varies!
Go cautiously as you approach the Tiger’s Mouth, or any other acupressure point for that matter. Some people may respond with a startle reflex with even light pressure on this point. Other people remain unmoved with even firmer pressure.
Make sure you are on the right point. Do not apply heavy pressure, thinking that you are on the point, and then suddenly stray onto the real tender point! Do not overwhelm your client by using more pressure than is needed!
Now, find out where your client’s headache is. Does your client have headache pain in the forehead or around the eye? Then the Tiger’s Mouth point likely provides relief. If your client reports the back of their head hurts, the Tiger’s Mouth point may not affect this area, even if the point is tender.
Secondary Acupressure Point Targets
Say your Tiger’s Mouth point accomplished nothing. Oftentimes, you need more choices. Go to the Triple Heater 16 point on the side of the neck. Remember this point from past discussions. You will find this point to be a powerful headache reducer. If you strike out with this point and Tiger’s Mouth point, your chances for success with acupressure keep dropping.
Don’t give up yet! The Stomach 8 point in the temple I find removes headaches when the first two points fail.
Overlap With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Utilize these three go-headache points as your three go-to temporomandibular joint dysfunction points. Clients express amazement when a point in the hand or neck relieves their jaw chewing pain. Also, their limited jaw opening often increases immediately when they work these three points.
Use other points besides these for headaches and temporomandibular dysfunction. However, you may find success with these three points provides a springboard to dive into other treatments.
When is a Client a Poor Acupressure Candidate?
Firstly, when I note that a person turns their neck freely and easily without restriction. When a client has a headache and can turn beyond 80 degrees in both directions, my heart sinks. Acupressure, or other physical therapy techniques, just became less likely to help.
Secondly, if your client has excellent posture. Too often, clients possess better posture than me, the treating therapist. Not only is this embarrassing, but it also means that their neck muscle strength holds their neck up too well. By that, I mean we have less to work with. The headache’s connection to weak neck muscles seems unlikely.
Finally, headache pattern doesn’t vary. Your client’s headache doesn’t respond to normal triggers. Light sensitivity? “No problem.” Coffee? “It doesn’t make my headache worse or better.” Does the headache go up or down when you are under stress? “No, it’s pretty much the same all the time.” Are you dehydrated? “No, I drink a lot of water.”
When to Move Your Client On
You want headache symptoms to change. Put on your Sherlock Holmes hat so that you can get that “Aha” moment when your client’s headache fades away. You both then have a path forward to self-treatment. If you cannot achieve rapid headache reduction, your client may be in the wrong clinic.
Contact your client’s medical doctor. Are there other factors in play? Check not just the neck, but other joints for hypermobility. Does your client have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? Consider whether there are internal psychological stressors that stir up the headache? Is there a metabolic disorder, or mineral deficiency, that perpetuates the headache?
Physical therapy and acupressure can do wonders for headache sufferers, but sometimes other avenues are needed.
–You understand that if not done properly, some techniques and exercises described in this blog could harm you. Any activities you perform are at your own risk, and you expressly agree to waive any claims against the author for any harm that may arise from your own actions. By reading this blog and conducting these exercises, you accept this risk. This blog provides content related to physical and/or mental health issues. As such, your use of techniques described acts as your acceptance of this disclaimer.
-Consult Chapter 2 in my book, “Calming the Headache Storm” to make sure the headache is not the sign of a more serious problem. The techniques, advice and strategies contained in this blog may not be suitable for every individual and should be abandoned if your headache increases. Seek the advice of your physician.