How to Use Pressure Points for Sinus Relief

Acupressure and acupuncture for sinus pain relief

Some people believe acupressure and acupuncture can help treat acute and chronic pains.

While some people use acupressure to treat sinus pain and other conditions, support for the practice remains largely anecdotal. Studies are often of low quality or small sample sizes.

However, acupressure as a practice is of low risk, so it may be worth trying even though evidence of efficacy is minimal.

It is important to note that acupressure will not cure an infection. It is best to seek medical advice on treatments if you experience sinus problems.

How to do acupressure for your sinuses

Using the following steps, people can try acupressure for sinus pain relief at home.

1. Use a mirror to help you find the points on your face.
2. Apply firm but gentle pressure on the points for at least 3 minutes each. You can use your fingers, thumbs, or a thin, blunt object, like the eraser tip of a pencil.
3. Repeat throughout the day for several days.

People can press on the acupressure points or gently rub or rotate their fingers in a circular motion over the area.

Pressure points for sinus relief

Here are the main acupressure points for sinus relief and how to find them:

LI20

The large intestine 20 (LI20) acupressure points are found on the face, on both sides of the base of your nose. To relieve sinus pressure:

1. Find the area where your nose joins your cheeks.
2. Press one finger on your face at either side of your nostrils.

A 2022 study suggests that working on the LI20 pressure point can help alleviate inflammation in cases of allergic rhinitis.

BL2

The bladder 2 (BL2) pressure points are located between the bridge of your nose and the inner side of your upper eyelid.

Some people believe that acupuncture on the BL2 pressure points can help manage symptoms of conditions such as chronic rhinosinusitis.

While there are no studies to support this, some people also focus on the BL2 pressure points with acupressure.

To relieve pressure in your sinuses and around your eyes, try the following:

1. Using both hands, place your index fingers above the bridge of your nose.
2. Slide your fingers into the tiny hollows between your eyebrows and nose.
3. Rest your fingers here. You should be able to feel the firmness of your brow bone.

Yintang

The acupressure point GV24.5 is better known as Yintang. It’s often called the third eye point because it’s located between the eyebrows.

Some people believe that this single acupuncture point can help relieve a stuffy or runny nose and sinus headache pain, and may be useful in cases of allergic rhinitis.

There is no research to support the possible benefits of Yintang in acupressure, but you may choose to try it for relief from a stuffy nose and other symptoms.

To find it:

1. Place one or two fingers between your eyebrows.
2. Find the area just above the bridge of your nose, where your forehead connects to the nose.
3. Apply pressure or rub the area for a few minutes.

SI18

The small intestine 18 (SI18) points are on both sides of your nose, just below the cheekbones. These points are used to help soothe swollen sinuses and a runny nose.

Anecdotally, some people focus on these points to help soothe swollen sinuses and a runny nose.

To locate them:

1. Place your index finger from both hands at the outer edge of each eye.
2. Slide your fingers down until you can feel the bottom of your cheekbones.
3. This area should be about level with the lower edge of your nose.
4. Press on these points at the same time or one at a time.

GB20

The gallbladder 20 (GB20) points are on the back of your head. They’re located in the grooves at the back of your head, where your neck muscles attach to your head.

In acupuncture, these points may help with headaches or migraine.

If you wish to focus on GB20 with acupressure, try the following:

1. Clasp your hands together behind your head.
2. Slide your thumbs up and down to find the grooves behind your ears at the base of your skull.
3. Apply pressure here using both of your thumbs.

LI4

The He Gu or large intestine 4 (LI4) points are on the back of your hands. They’re connected to the large intestine. Some people use this acupuncture pressure point to help treat allergic rhinitis.

There are currently no studies that support the benefits of LI4 with acupressure.

If you wish to focus on LI4 with acupressure, apply pressure to the LI4 points on your hands, one at a time.

The points are about a half inch from the crease between your thumb and hand. Here’s how to find them:

1. Hold your hand up so that the thumb side is facing you.
2. Find the area where your thumb connects to your hand.
3. Keep your thumb close to your hand. Look for where the muscle between your thumb and index finger bulges out. One way to find it is to bring your thumb up against your index finger, which will cause a mound to form on the back of your hand. Place the opposite thumb or another finger on this mound.
4. Relax your hand again, and apply pressure to this area using the finger of your opposite hand.

LU5

The lung meridian 5 (LU5) points are located inside each elbow. These points may help to relieve sinus congestion and pressure, which may help relieve pain and a runny nose.

The LU5 points are also linked to your lungs and breathing. To find them:

1. Hold your arm stretched out in front of you so that your palm is facing up.
2. Find the crease on the thumb side of your inner elbow.
3. This is where your forearm muscle dips slightly as it connects to your elbow.
4. Press on the area.
5. Repeat and switch arms.

LU9

The lung meridian 9 (LU9) points can be found inside each wrist. With acupuncture, they may help relieve throat symptoms from a sinus infection.

While there are no studies into the benefits of LU9 with acupressure, you may wish to focus on this pressure point with the following steps:

1. Hold your hand up in front of you so that your palm is facing you.
2. Find the crease where your hand connects to the wrist.
3. Place your finger on the crease just below your thumb.
4. Repeat and switch hands.

Liv3

The liver 3 (Liv3) or Tai Chong pressure points are on your feet, just back from your big toes. Some people believe that focusing on these points with acupuncture can have links to the liver and can help relieve headaches or migraine.

Research into Liv3 and acupressure is necessary.

To find these pressure points:

1. Sit down with your knees bent and your feet in front of you.
2. Place your finger in the area between your big toe and the next toe.
3. Slide your finger up your foot about two finger widths. This is where the pressure point is located.
4. Press at this spot. Apply pressure on both feet simultaneously or one at a time.

Tips on pressure points for sinuses and nasal congestion

Using acupressure can sometimes help ease pain and other symptoms right away. You may feel the pressure lifting slightly as you apply pressure on the specific points.

You may need to continue the acupressure treatment for several days before you feel anything. Pressure shouldn’t be painful or bruise the area.

If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, talk with your doctor before trying acupressure points. Limited research suggests that acupressure can cause cervical changes pre-labor.

Where are the sinuses?

The sinuses are hollow spaces or cavities in the bones around the nose. Your sinuses make mucus or fluid. The mucus drains into your nasal cavity (nose) and the back of your throat. This keeps your nose moist and removes dust, allergens, and germs.

There are four pairs of sinuses connected to your nose:

• maxillary sinuses, behind the cheekbones on each side of your nose
• frontal sinuses, above your eyes near the forehead
• ethmoidal sinuses, air cells between the eyes and the bridge of your nose
• sphenoid sinuses, near the optic nerve behind the eyes, close to the center of the head

The bottom line

Acupressure may help your sinus symptoms, though it can’t cure an infection.

Some people believe that the following pressure points can help alleviate sinus problems: LI20, BL2, Yintang, SI18, GB20, LI4, LU5, LU9, and Liv3. However, current research focuses on pressure points and acupuncture, not acupressure.

Speak with a doctor for more information about the possible benefits of acupressure and how it may help provide sinus relief.