Ever feel a dull, throbbing pain right at the base of your skull? Whether it’s from staring at your laptop for eight hours straight, stress, or just a bad sleeping posture, headaches at the back of the head—often linked to neck tension—can completely ruin your day.
Before you reach into your medicine cabinet for another painkiller, there is a natural, time-tested alternative you can try right at your desk. Inspired by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques demonstrated in the instructional video, we’ve broken down a simple, 5-minute self-massage routine using four powerful acupressure points to melt that tension away.
What is Acupressure?
Think of acupressure as acupuncture but without the needles. By applying firm pressure to specific points on your body (called acupoints), you can stimulate blood circulation, relax tight muscles, and signal your body to release its natural pain-relieving endorphins.
Here are the four specific points that target the back of the head.
The 4 Best Acupressure Points for Back-of-Head Headaches
1. Kunlun (BL60) — The Ankle Relief
- Where to find it: Look at your outer ankle. Find the highest point of that ankle bone and your Achilles tendon. The Kunlun point is located right in the middle of the space between them.
2. Tianzhu / Heavenly Pillar (BL10) — The Neck Unwinder
- Where to find it: Feel the base of your skull at the back of your neck. You will feel two thick, vertical muscle columns on either side of your spine. The Tianzhu points sit in the depressions right on the outer edges of these muscles, right where your hairline starts.
3. Houxi / Back Stream (SI3) — The Hand Release
This point is incredibly easy to access while you're sitting in a meeting or watching TV.
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Where to find it: Look at the pinky-finger side of your hand. Make a loose fist. You will see a prominent fleshy bulge/crease just below your pinky joint. That exact bump is the Houxi point.
4. Shenmai (BL62) — The Lower Anchor
Another foot point that works wonders for grounding your energy and relieving upper-body tension.
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Where to find it: Sit comfortably or lie down. Find the center of your outer ankle bone again. Move down about 1 centimeter (roughly half an inch) into the small depression directly below the bone. That is the Shenmai point.
Your 5-Minute Daily Routine
Now that you know where the points are, here is how to use them to get maximum relief:
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The Technique: Use your thumb or index finger to apply firm, steady pressure. Rub the point in small, circular motions (a technique known as point-kneading).
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The Duration: Massage each point for 3 to 5 minutes.
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The Frequency: You can repeat this routine multiple times a day whenever you feel tension building up.
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The Consistency: For the best results, stick with this routine for 7 consecutive days, or until your headache symptoms fully clear up.
A Quick Health Note: While acupressure is a fantastic, safe tool for everyday tension and stress, it should not replace medical advice. If your headache is severe, sudden, or accompanied by dizziness or nausea, please consult a healthcare professional.
Give these four points a try next time your neck starts to stiffen up. Your body (and your mind) will thank you!
