3 Acupressure Points Everyone Should Know (Including One for Headaches
While acupuncture has great effect through using needles at specific acupuncture points, using needles is not the only way to experience the benefits of these points. Indeed, using moxibustion (burning mugwort near an acupuncture point) or your own fingers for acupressure, are both ways people can DIY the benefit of Chinese medicine at home. Moxibustion is more complex to explain and if you are interested, I recommend asking your acupuncturist about how to use it at home. This article focuses on acupressure points, which you can do any time, anywhere, on your own without advanced training.
How to Do Acupressure
Use your thumb to put firm pressure on the point, but not to the point of pain. Keep firm, even pressure on the point for 2 minutes, or until you feel you have achieved the desired therapeutic effect.
Below are three acupuncture points I believe are especially conducive to acupressure, how to find them, and how they benefit you.
3 Acupressure Points to Try at Home
The three acupressure points below are considered energetically powerful points in Chinese medicine and are ofted used clinically.
1. Acupressure at Large Intestine 4 (LI-4) – he gu, “joining valley”
Point Location: In the middle of the web between your thumb and index finger, on the back (dorsal side) of your hand. Use one hand to grab the webbing between your thumb and index finger of your other hand. Where your thumb is resting is LI 4.
Effect: This point strongly moves stagnant energy and has a powerful analgesic effect.
Good times to use: Moments of stress, headaches/migraines, mouth pain, pain anywhere in the body. This is a particularly good pressure point for headaches.
Caution: This point is strongly moving and is therefore contra-indicated in pregnancy.
Here is a tutorial on Large Intestine 4 acupressure:
2. Acupressure at Kidney 1 (Kid-1) - yong quan, “bubbling spring”
Point Location: On the sole of your foot, a third of the way down (from your toes to your heel). You may feel your finger fall into a natural depression here.
Effect: This point is deeply grounding. It is connected to the source of the primal yin and yang energy of your body, and being on the bottom of your foot, also helps anchor your energy when it may be floating.
Good times to use: Hold this point with solid (but not painful) grounding pressure when you feel ungrounded, floaty, spacey, or dizzy.
3. Acupressure at Pericardium 8 (Pc-8) – lao gong, “palace of weariness”
Point Location: On your palm, at the place where the tip of your middle finger touches your palm when you make a loose fist.
Effect: This point clears heat and excess energy. It is on the Pericardium, or “heart protector” channel, and has the effect of calming the heart and spirit down.
Good times to use: When you are feeling agitation, mania, with inability to sleep.
When you're dealing with a headache, agitation, or dizziness, try these acupuncture points and hopefully you'll find some needed relief. Want to learn more DIY Chinese medicine practices? Follow @bluejayacupuncture on Instagram or Facebook and sign up for the monthly newsletter, where we make Chinese medicine relevant for your life today.
Acupressure FAQ
Does acupressure work?
Acupressure works, and there are several credible studies that have proven it:
Low back pain: A 2021 review of randomized trials found acupressure reduced pain more than physical therapy and usual care, and improved disability scores compared with usual care. The authors concluded acupressure is an effective treatment for low back pain.
Labor pain: A 2025 updated review found acupressure reduced labor pain more than touch, sham acupressure, and no intervention. The authors rated the supporting evidence as moderate to low quality.
Menstrual pain: A 2025 review of 20 trials found acupressure reduced period pain more than placebo acupressure, oral medication, or usual treatment. The authors noted the evidence is low quality and that larger, more rigorous studies are needed.
How does acupressure work?
In acupuncture, needles provide precise physical stimulus to points on the body that have powerful and specific therapeutic effects. Acupressure can similarly provide physical stimulus to the same points on the body, with therapeutic effects.
How long should you hold an acupressure point?
Approximately two minutes or until you feel the desired effect, but no more than 5 minutes.
How are acupuncture needles different from acupressure?
In acupuncture, needles provide precise physical stimulus to points on the body that have powerful and specific therapeutic effects. Needles remain in the body for 25-40 minutes for a complete acupuncture treatment. Acupressure can similarly provide physical stimulus to the same points on the body, with therapeutic effects, but points are stimulated for only a couple minutes. Here's an article with more information about acupuncture needles.
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Blue Jay Acupuncture is an acupuncture clinic in Denver, Colorado. Acupuncturist Isabelle D’Arcy uses acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and other Chinese medical modalities to treat a range of health issues including pain and injury recovery, sleep issues, women’s health, digestive problems, fatigue and stress. Book a free consultation or first appointment.
