Pressure Points For Headaches: What Are They, How Can You Find Them + Do They Really Work?

Before you reach for an over-the-counter painkiller to help curb a headache, there's a more holistic approach you can try. 

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You've likely heard that applying pressure to the spot between the base of your thumb and index finger can relieve painful headache symptoms, but is this really true?

According to Dr. Travis Stork from "The Doctors," it is! This is a practice called acupressure, the doc explains, which is big in places like Indonesia.

And no, it's not acupuncture, so there aren't any needles involved. But acupressure is based on the ancient healing art of acupuncture in that it also uses pressure points located on the body to help promote blood flow and relieve muscle tension.

"If you have a headache, there are actually these pressure points throughout your body that may help improve the symptoms," Dr. Travis says.

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He says to use your thumb and index finger on one hand to apply pressure to the webbing between the thumb and index finger on your other hand — then switch.

"Press for about two minutes and just relax, focus on your breath," the doctor continues.

"It also allows people to take a moment for themselves while the headache's starting."

Watch him demonstrate in the video above.