SUBSCRIBE

How to Use Pressure

Points for Sinus Relief
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson,
Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT —
Written by Noreen Iftikhar, MD on
September 20, 2019

Why How to The points Tips

Where the sinuses are Takeaway

Acupressure is one way to help relieve sinus

pressure and other symptoms. This
traditional treatment is based on the same
methods as acupuncture — it even uses the
same points.

But instead of needles, pressure is placed at

certain points on your face and body using
your hands and fingers.
ADVERTISEMENT

Acupressure and acupuncture

for sinuses
Acupuncture is used to treat chronic sinus
pressure and other symptoms.

Research from 2006 found that about 99

percent of acupuncturists in the United
States treat sinus problems. Similarly, the
Cleveland Clinic recommends using
acupressure to relieve sinus pressure due to
allergies.

While more research is needed on using

acupressure to treat sinus symptoms, this
practice may help improve blood flow, relax
muscles, and help mucus drain from the
sinuses.

How to do acupressure for

your sinuses
You can do acupressure for sinus symptoms
on yourself. It only takes a few minutes.

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.

You can press on the acupressure points or

gently rub or rotate your fingers in a circular
motion over the area.

You can also get professional acupressure

treatment from a certified acupuncturist.
Some massage therapists may also use
acupressure points.
ADVERTISEMENT

READER SURVEY

Please take a quick 1-minute

survey
Your answers will help us improve our
experience. You're the best!

ANSWER OUR SURVEY

9 pressure points for sinus

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

LI20

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

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. Place one finger on your face at either

side of your nostrils and press.

BL2

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

The bladder 2 (BL2) pressure points are

located between the bridge of your nose
and the inner side of your upper eyelid. To
relieve pressure in your sinuses and around
your eyes, try this:

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

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

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. This single acupressure point
helps to relieve a stuffy or runny nose and
sinus headache pain. 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

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

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. 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

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

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.

These acupressure points are used for sinus

pressure symptoms, like headache and
watery eyes, and cold and flu symptoms.
Here’s how to find them:

1. Clasp your hands together behind your

head.

2. Slide your thumbs up and down to find

the grooves just behind your ears at
the base of your skull.

3. Apply pressure here using both of your

thumbs.

LI4

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

The He Gu or large intestine 4 (LI4) points

are on the back of your hands. They’re
connected to the large intestine, and may
help to soothe headaches and facial pain
from sinus problems. Apply pressure to the
LI4 points on each of 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

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

The lung meridian 5 (LU5) points are located

on the inside of each elbow. These points
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

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

The lung meridian 9 (LU9) points can be

found on the inside of each wrist. They’re
used to relieve throat symptoms from a sinus
infection. Here’s how to find them:

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

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

The liver 3 (Liv3) or Tai Chong pressure

points are on your feet, just back from your
big toes. They’re linked to your liver and
used to relieve headaches and pain around
your eyes. To find them:

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 at the same time or one at a
time.

Tips on pressure points for

sinuses and nasal congestion
If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant,
talk to your doctor before trying acupressure
points. Some pressure points can lead to
labor.

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.
ADVERTISEMENT

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 down the back
of your throat. This keeps your nose moist
and gets rid of dust, allergens, and germs.

There are four pairs of sinuses connected to

your nose:

in the cheekbones on each side of your

nose

above your eyes near the forehead

between the eyes and the bridge of

your nose

behind your eyes

The takeaway
Acupressure can help your sinus symptoms.
It can’t cure a serious infection. You might
still need antibiotic treatment if you have a
bacterial sinus infection. A sinus infection
can also be caused by a virus like the flu or a
cold.

If your sinus symptoms are caused by

allergies, it may help to avoid allergen
triggers like pollen and dust. Ask your doctor
about the best over-the-counter medications
for allergy relief.

You may need to apply pressure on the

points several times a day for several days
before you find relief from sinus symptoms.

ADVERTISEMENT

Explore Amazon Basic Care for

Cough, Cold, and Flu
Fight cold and flu symptoms all year round
with Amazon Basic Care. Save your tissues
— shop popular products to calm your cough
and congestion.

SHOP ON AMAZON

Last medically reviewed on September 20, 2019

! 8 sources

! " # $ FEEDBACK: % &

READ THIS NEXT

How to Relieve Sinus

Pressure
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D.,
MPH

Here's how to treat sinus pressure and

symptoms with seven natural home…
remedies that don’t involve medication.

READ MORE

Acupuncture for Sinus

Issues
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson,
Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

Acupuncture is a promising alternative

treatment for common sinus issues, from…
headaches to congestion. Learn how it
works, the evidence behind it…
READ MORE

How to Do a Sinus Flush at

Home
Medically reviewed by James Keith Fisher, MD

A sinus flush, or nasal irrigation, is one way

to clear out your sinuses at home. All you…
need is a saline solution and a neti pot or
bulb syringe…
READ MORE

Sinus Infection (Sinusitis):

What It Is, Symptoms, and
More
Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh
Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP

A sinus infection occurs when your nasal

cavities become swollen, infected, or…
inflamed. Learn about the symptoms of a
sinus infection and how to…
READ MORE

9 Ways to Get Rid of a Sinus

Infection, Plus Tips for
Prevention
Medically reviewed by Angela M. Bell, MD,
FACP

Most sinus infections resolve on their own

within 10 days, but here are some things yo…
can do to help get rid of sinusitis and
improve your symptoms.
READ MORE

The Best Pressure Points to

Treat Headaches
Medically reviewed by Jeanne Morrison,
Ph.D., MSN

In the discipline of Chinese medicine called

reflexology, pressure points are points on…
your body used for massage. Reflexology is
the study of how…
READ MORE
What Are the Risks of Sinus
Rinses, and How Can You
Avoid Them?
Medically reviewed by Lauren Castiello, MS,
AGNP-C

Sinus rinses are safe for most people to use.

However, they must be used correctly to…
ensure safety.

READ MORE

How to Choose and Use a

Humidifier for Sinusitis
Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier
can be good for your sinus health. But it's…
important to know what type of humidifier to
use for…
READ MORE

How to Tell the Differences

Between COVID-19 and a
Sinus Infection
Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin,
MD, FAAFP

COVID-19 and sinus infections share several

symptoms like nasal congestion, fever, and…
coughing. But there are some important
differences.
READ MORE

7 Best OTC Sinus

Decongestants
Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D.

Suffering from a sinus infection? We've

rounded up the seven best decongestants …
help relieve your pressure, pain, and
congestion.
READ MORE

" # ' ( )

Get our wellness newsletter

Filter out the noise and nurture your inbox with
health and wellness advice that’s inclusive and
rooted in medical expertise.

Enter your email SIGN UP

Your privacy is important to us

About Us Health Topics

Contact Us Medical Affairs

Terms of Use Content Integrity

Privacy Policy Newsletters

Privacy Settings Do Not Sell My Info

Advertising Policy

© 2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures

Company. All rights reserved. Our website services,
content, and products are for informational purposes
only. Healthline Media does not provide medical
advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional
information.

About | Careers | Advertise with us

OUR BRANDS
Healthline
Medical News Today
Greatist
Psych Central

ADVERTISEMENT *