Acupressure and Acupuncture for Headaches and Eye Strain
Many of us spend long hours in front of screens — leading to tired eyes, tension headaches, and that dull ache across the temples or behind the eyes. While painkillers might provide temporary relief, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a gentle, natural way to ease this discomfort: acupressure and acupuncture.
Understanding Headaches and Eye Strain in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, headaches and eye strain often stem from imbalances in the flow of Qi (energy) through the body’s meridians.
Common causes include:
- Liver Qi stagnation – often triggered by stress, frustration, or overwork, leading to tension around the temples and eyes.
- Qi and Blood deficiency – from fatigue, poor diet, or overuse of the eyes, resulting in dull, lingering headaches.
- Excess heat or Yang rising – creating sharp or throbbing headaches, often with red or irritated eyes.
By restoring balance through gentle stimulation of key acupressure or acupuncture points, we can help relieve pain and promote relaxation naturally.
Simple Acupressure Points You Can Try at Home
Below are a few points you can use to ease tension and eye fatigue. Apply gentle, steady pressure for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each point while taking slow, deep breaths.
1. Taiyang (EX-HN5) – “Great Sun”
Location: In the tender hollow at your temples, between the outer end of the eyebrow and the corner of the eye.
Benefits: Eases headaches, eye strain, and tension from stress or overuse of screens.
2. LI4 (Hegu) – “Joining Valley”
Location: On the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger.
Benefits: One of the most famous points for relieving headaches, neck tension, and general pain.
Tip: Avoid during pregnancy.
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3. BL2 (Zanzhu) – “Gathered Bamboo”
Location: At the inner end of each eyebrow, just above the inner corner of the eye.
Benefits: Relieves frontal headaches, sinus pressure, and tired eyes.
4. GB20 (Fengchi) – “Wind Pool”
Location: At the base of the skull, in the hollows just beside the neck muscles.
Benefits: Excellent for tension headaches, neck stiffness, and fatigue from overwork.
5. ST8 (Touwei) – “Head’s Binding”
Location: Just above the temple, at the corner of the forehead near the hairline.
Benefits: Commonly used for frontal or temporal headaches and eye strain due to overuse.
6. LR3 (Taichong) – “Great Rushing”
Location: On the top of the foot, between the first and second toes.
Benefits: Calms Liver Qi stagnation — a major contributor to tension headaches and eye irritation.
Supporting Your Eyes and Head Naturally
Along with acupressure, you can support your recovery by:
- Taking regular screen breaks (the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
- Gently massaging the neck and shoulders to improve circulation.
- Staying hydrated and reducing caffeine or alcohol, which can deplete Yin and worsen tension.
- Scheduling acupuncture treatments for deeper, longer-lasting relief and prevention of recurring headaches.
How Acupuncture Complements Acupressure
While acupressure can offer quick at-home relief, acupuncture provides a more comprehensive approach.
At Centre of Health, we use acupuncture to:
- Release muscular tension and promote blood flow
- Calm the nervous system to reduce stress-related headaches
- Address underlying imbalances (like Liver Qi stagnation or Yin deficiency) that cause chronic tension
Over time, this not only reduces the frequency of headaches but also improves sleep, focus, and overall wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
Headaches and eye strain are signs your body may be asking for rest and rebalancing.
Come and see us at Centre of Health Ivanhoe for a thorough assessment and treatment. Our practitioners are nationally certified, caring and most importantly, have experience in treating headaches and eye strain.