The Gates of Consciousness points, GB 20, can relieve tension headaches as well as neck pain, says Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., director of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California, and author of Acupressure”s Potent Points. Dr. Gach says to use the thumbs of both hands to press the GB 20 points, which are situated two inches out from the middle of your neck, underneath the base of the skull. (To help locate these points, refer to the illustration on page 565.) He suggests sitting in a chair and bending over, with your elbows propped on a table or desk, to make holding these points most comfortable. Breathe deeply and press firmly for one to two minutes. Point LI 4 is especially helpful for frontal headaches, according to Dr. Gach. He explains that the point lies in the webbing between the thumb and index finger, close to the bone at the base of the index finger. (To help locate this point, refer to the illustration on page 565.) Holding the point with your thumb on top of the webbing and your index finger underneath, angle the pressure toward the bone that connects the index finger to the hand, says Dr. Gach. Hold for one minute, then repeat on your other hand. This is not recommended for pregnant women, says Dr. Gach, because pressing the LI 4 points can cause uterine contractions.
Headache