Pressure Points For Migraines
Stop Migraine Pain at Home
Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Migraines & Headaches
If you suffer from migraines and headaches, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be the solution you’re looking for. There are a variety of ways to stimulate the vagus nerve, and we will discuss some of the most important ways. One of the easiest and most effective methods is to use electrical devices such as acupressure pens, TENS units, or specially designed vagus nerve stimulators that work on the ear, head, or neck. These devices can also be used on various pressure points for added benefits.
On this page, I will discuss several methods to stimulate the vagus nerve, but first, we should take a closer look at what the this nerve does.
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What does the Vagus Nerve do?
The vagus nerve starts in your brain and plays a major role in regulating your entire body, including your brain, heart, digestive system, immune system, mood, and more. It is also extremely important for sleep and calming down your body and mind. Because the vagus nerve affects your brain and body, stimulating it can be very beneficial for reducing pain from migraines and headaches. The vagus nerve is also connected to an important part of the nervous system called the parasympathetic nervous system.
Our nervous system consists of two major divisions called the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When we feel pain, or are stressed, hurried, or anxious, the sympathetic system acts like the gas pedal on your car and speeds up our body. Living fast-paced, stressful lives keeps our sympathetic nervous system in a state of over-drive and makes it difficult to relax, calm down, and sleep well.
The parasympathetic nervous system relaxes our bodies, promotes digestion, and helps us sleep. A major nerve that is part of our parasympathetic nervous system is the vagus nerve. Therefore, when we stimulate the vagus nerve, it can help our brains and bodies in a variety of ways.
Stimulating the Vagus Nerve with Electric Pens, TENS units, or taVNS devices.
To stimulate the vagus nerve, we use various electrical devices such as electric
acupuncture/acupressure pens, TENS, and taVNS machines (stimulates the ear).
These devices work in a similar way, and each kind of device offers advantages. The benefit of electric acupressure pens is that they allow the user to target very specific points in the ear, and even in other areas of the body such as the hands and feet. The primary advantage of the electric pens is that they allow the user to target precise points. However, one disadvantage is that you need to hold the pens on the points for at least 3 minutes and up to 20 minutes. Some people have a hard time holding the pen in place for long enough, especially when they have severe pain. So while the advantage of the electric acupressure pen is that it allows us to use very specific points, it can be challenging for some people to hold the pen on the point long enough. I do recommend that people use these because they are the best way to target very specific areas and pressure points.
TENS & taVNS (Ear) devices.
Another way to stimulate the vagus nerve is to use a TENS or taVNS device. Many people are familiar with TENS (transcutanous electrical nerve stimulators) because they have been used for many years by all kinds of doctors. TENS units are readily available online and don’t require a prescription.
Similar to a common TENS unit, are devices made specifically for stimulating the vagus nerve in the ear. These taVNS machines are designed for the ear and use ear clips or earbuds to deliver a mild electric current to special areas in your ear. While taVNS devices for the ear can be very effective for stimulating the points in the ears, they may not be usable on pressure points in other areas of the body such as on the hands, feet, and limbs. I prefer a standard TENS because it is more versatile.
Standard TENS units that use pads are a useful device that can be used to stimulate pressure points all over the body. The TENS pads can be applied to the neck, shoulder, backs, arm, and legs, and allow us to reach acupuncture points that we cannot get to with the taVNS machines. With the right settings and professional guidance, TENS units can even stimulate the same nerves that acupuncture does. This means that a TENS device can produce results similar to acupuncture for headache and migraine pain relief.
TENS are great for targeting large areas, and they are easy to use because you can simply place the pad on the appropriate area of your body and let it run for a specified time. TENS units also allow for specific electrical settings that can be personalized for each person’s needs. TENS pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes and allow for reaching specific areas in a precise way. Another advantage of TENS units is that you can use ear clips with them and target the points in the ear.
When these VNS devices are used properly, they can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines. Studies show that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) can also reduce the duration, or length, of migraine attacks. (VNS for Migraines)
Pressure Points in the Ear for Migraines & Headaches
This image of the ear shows four regions in different colors to show what nerve goes to that area of the ear. The vagus nerve is accessible in the region colored red. Vagus nerve stimulation in this region can balance the functioning of the vagus nerve in a way that can help with migraines, anxiety, digestive problems, depression, and more.
To get the best results based on your personal pain pattern requires specialized settings of the electrical device and using other points in combination. For instance, some people will benefit most by stimulating points in the red region with points at the top of the ear. Other people will get better results using vagus nerve points with points in the ear lobe, or with points in the blue and green regions.
Combining Points for Greater Benefits
While vagus nerve stimulation often provides powerful results for people with headaches and migraines, it is best to use other points on the body as well. This provides a wide spectrum of nerve stimulation that activates different nerves and regions of your brain. For instance, vagus nerve stimulation sends direct healing signals to your brain to balance the fight or flight systems of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous. However, points on the hands, feet, and limbs work in different ways and can influence your hormones, immune system, and other parts of your body.
Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ENS) with TENS or other devices can be used in a variety of ways with different settings and on different parts of the body. For an analogy, it is useful to compare this to eating well. If you want to get healthy through nutrition and diet, it is best to eat a variety of whole foods. If you only ate one healthy food, you would only get minimal results, and your body would still need the other nutrients present in other kinds of foods. Similarly, if you only use pressure points in one area of your body (such as your ear) you will only be getting partial results. Stimulating the right points, in different areas, gives your nerves the full spectrum of stimulation they need to function properly and stop headache and migraine pain.
Let's now examine some of the points in the feet that can be used for migraine relief.
Pressure Points in the Feet for Headaches & Migraines
There are powerful acupressure points for migraines in the feet including Liver 3 (LV 3), Gallbladder 41 (GB 41), Gallbladder 42 (GB 42), ST 42, 66.05, and 66.03. This is just a partial list, and there are at least 8 more points in the feet.
While each of these points can be beneficial, it is necessary to know which points to use based on your overall migraine pattern and medical history. Some people will get the best results using LV 3 with the ear points we already discussed. However, others will get more benefits using ST 42 with ear points.
It is also necessary to know how to properly stimulate these points, and there are
over 20 different ways to stimulate the pressure points on the feet.
This is why we recommend you work with an experienced professional that can guide you in the process of finding the right points, combinations, and settings that will work best for your personal needs.
Different Headache & Migraine Patterns Require Different Points
There are several different patterns and categories of headaches and migraines. To get the best results using VNS, TENS, and electrical devices, it is essential know what pattern you have, and then use the right points for that pattern.
For instance, there are migraines with auras and migraines without auras. These are two different patterns, and different points are often necessary for each of these patterns.
Similarly, other types of headaches and migraines include tension headaches, cluster headaches, menstrual migraines, and sinus headaches, and migraines.
While VNS may help with most of these migraine patterns, using specific points in other areas of the body for your unique migraine pattern helps to get better results.
Acupuncture stimulates specific types of nerves called A-delta nerves to produce strong pain relief. It also releases your body's natural pain killers called endorphins.
In our program, we teach people how to do needless acupuncture and get the same results as acupuncture, but without the needles.
Tapping on points is surprisingly effective for many conditions including migraines, headaches, pain in general, anxiety, depression, and more. Tapping works best for migraines and headaches when stress and negative emotions are a cause of the problem. For instance, tension headaches that occur due to stress or anger can often be alleviated with EFT. Tapping is also useful for people that have migraines and a lot of emotional suffering. The tapping can help to reduce the emotional pain.
There are acupuncture points on your fingers that you can stimulate with your fingernails. By pressing these points, you may stop a migraine quickly.
This is a great technique to try, and if it works for you, then our other methods will b even more beneficial.
Herbs and essential oils are often very helpful for decreasing migraine pain, helping with sleep, and relaxing the mind and body.
At the link below, you will find several common herbs used for headaches and migraines that you can easily find at your local health food store. In our programs, we use combinations of herbs and supplements specific for each person's unique needs.
Seeking Professional Help for Chronic Headaches & Migraines
Severe headaches and migraines are complicated conditions and require professional guidance. While modern medicine and medications may provide some relief, many people experience side effects from taking drugs or only get limited improvement.
Acupuncture has been shown to be very effective for many people, and working with an experienced acupuncturist can be life-changing for people with chronic headaches and migraines. As an acupuncturist of 25 years, I have helped 1000's of people get out of pain. I have also spent decades teaching people how to use natural remedies and acupressure at home. My online programs, webinars, and tele-health coaching are viable solutions for people suffering from chronic headaches and migraines.
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