11 Pressure Points For Ears

Updated: 11/3/2022

Earaches and headaches are common symptoms of sinus infections, but they can also be caused by other problems.

Acupressure is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the application of pressure to specific points on the body in order to stimulate healing or relieve pain. It's similar to acupuncture, but doesn't use thin needles to stimulate the same acupoints for pain relief. 

Acupressure uses fingers, knuckles, or elbows to stimulate pressure points on different areas of the body. There are pressure points on the ear, head, neck, shoulder, and other places to help relieve and prevent pain from an earache or headache.

This natural remedy is safe and effective for the majority of people. It's easy to apply acupressure yourself for quick relief and prevention.

11 Pressure Points for Earaches and Headaches

There are 11 pressure points for ear pain, headaches, and underlying causes like sinus pressure from inflammation.

There are also pressure points to relieve tinnitus, which is the ringing you get in one or both ears. If your tinnitus is persistent, it can lead to anxiety, fatigue, and other mental issues.  

For the acupressure points below, you can try acupressure easily by following these steps a few times during the day:

1. Sit down in a comfortable position. 
2. Use your thumb, index finger, and middle fingers for each pressure point. They offer the most leverage, but you can also use your other fingers or knuckles if they are easier for you. 
3. Apply firm, steady pressure for 5 seconds while breathing slowly and steady.
4. Using a circular motion or up / down movement, gently massage for 2 minutes. 
5. You can repeat the cycle 5 more times. 

Pro tip: Use acupressure ear seeds along with your daily routine.

Here are the 4 Ear Pressure Points

These pressure points on the ear, also known as auricular points, can help with earaches and headaches. Try them out at home today!

1. EX-HN 6 Erjian or Ear Apex

The Ear Apex pressure point is located at the top of the ear in the center, the apex. 

Stimulating this point will offer relief from migraines, tension headaches, and earaches. 

2. Daith 

The Daith acupressure point is the smallest, innermost cartilage near the center of your ear. 

Apply pressure and massage this point for relief from migraines and tension headaches. 

The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) says that daith piercing occurs because some believe that piercing will relieve migraines. There's no research that proves this theory, but there are many anecdotal stories that daith piercing can offer relief. 

3. San Jiao 21 (SJ 21) Ermen or Ear Gate

The Ear Gate pressure point is located right where your earlobe starts. 

Stimulating this point will help relieve tinnitus, earaches, headaches, migraines, and toothaches. 

4. Triple Energizer 17 (TE 17) Yifeng or Wind Screen

The Wind Screen pressure point is located on the back of the earlobe. 

Applying pressure here and gently massaging it will help to relieve tinnitus, earaches, and headaches.This is also a good pressure point for stuffy ears and relieves the pressure there. 

7 Other Pressure Points that Can Help with Earaches and Headaches

These are pressure points on the head and elsewhere on the body to help with earaches and headaches. 

1. Governor Vessel 24.5 (GV 24.5) - Yintang or The Third Eye 

The Third Eye pressure point is located between the eyebrows and a bit above the bridge of your nose. 

Acupressure stimulation on this point will help relieve and prevent headaches through the underlying causes. Pressure here will help to relieve sinus pressure, eyestrain, and anxiety and stress. 

2. EX-HN 5 - Taiyang or Great Sun

The Great Sun acupressure points are found on both of the temples. They are the same locations as what you would instinctively rub when you have a headache. So you're performing acupressure without even knowing it! 

Stimulating this pressure point will relieve tension headaches, migraines, and eye pain. 

3. Governor Vessel 16 (GV 16) - Fengfu or Wind Mansion 

The Wind Mansion is found at the base of the skull in the center. It's where you'll feel a hollow area at the base.

Applying pressure and massaging this point will help to relieve headaches, stress and fatigue. It will help you relax by increasing blood circulation. 

4. Stomach 8 (ST 8) - Touwei or Hairline Curve

The Hairline Curve pressure point is found near your temples, a couple of inches above your ear. 

According to a 2006 study, the points on both sides were shown to be effective in offering relief from tinnitus.

5. Governor Vessel 20 (GV 20) - Baihui or Crown of the Head

The Crown of the Head point is located at the top of your head right in the center. Draw an imaginary line from ear to ear and another line from the back of the head to the forehead. Where the lines intersect is where the GV 20 point is. 

Stimulation at this point will also help with tinnitus. It'll help relieve the ringing and humming in your ears. 

6. Urinary Bladder 10 (UB 10) - Tianzhu or Heaven's Pillar 

The Heaven's Pillar pressure points are a couple of inches below the base of the skull on both sides of the neck. 

Applying pressure on these points will relieve sinus pain, headaches, earaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and upper back pain. 

7. Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) - Hegu or Union Valley 

The Union Valley pressure points on both hands are two of the most popular points because of its easy access and ability to offer relief from a variety of symptoms. The points are located in the groove between your thumb and index finger on the back of your hands. 

Acupuress on these pressure points will help to relieve headaches and earaches, as well as other anxiety, neck pain, sinus pain, and digestive issues like constipation.

If you're pregnant, you'll want to avoid this pressure point because it can also induce labor. 

Ear Pressure Points FAQs

Do Ear Pressure Points Work?

There are not many scientific studies out there about ear pressure points and its effectiveness, but there are still some studies that show ear acupuncture offers relief from migraines like this 2011 study. Another study in 2015 showed ear pressure points relieving migraines, anxiety, and pain in different parts of the body.  

What are the Pressure Points for Clogged Ears?

Stimulating the Wind Screen or Earlobe pressure point that's located on the back of the earlobe will help to relieve clogged ears. Clogged ears are caused by blockages in the eustachian tubes which connect the middle ear space to the throat. These blockages can occur due to allergies, infections, inflammation, or trauma.

Can You Treat an Ear Infection with Acupressure?

Acupressure can help treat the underlying causes of an ear infection. Stimulating pressure points will help to reduce inflammation, clear up fluid buildup, and improve circulation. Acupressure also helps to improve the immune system and recover faster.

 

Sources:

• Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/pressure-points-for-ears
• Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ear-pressure-points
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus