When your head aches and your sinuses feel full, the body wants very little. It wants quiet, a slower breath, and a few minutes where nothing is asked of it. Pressure points are one of the oldest, gentlest ways to give it that. You do not need special training or equipment. You need your own hands, a soft place to lie down, and a little patience. Below are a few well-known points many people reach for, described in plain language, along with a simple, honest note on what to rest over your eyes while you do the work.
How pressure points can help
Acupressure is the practice of pressing gently on specific spots on the body. Many people find that slow, steady pressure on certain points helps them feel calmer and eases some of the tightness that comes with a tension headache or sinus pressure. It is not a cure, and it does not work the same way for everyone. Think of it as a small, kind ritual rather than a treatment. The act of slowing down, breathing, and giving your face and neck some attention is part of why it can feel good. Keep your touch gentle. You are not trying to force anything; you are inviting your body to soften.
Points to try for a tension headache
Tension headaches often settle into a tight band around the head, the temples, or the base of the skull. These few points are easy to find and safe to try with light, steady pressure.
The spot between the eyebrows. Rest a fingertip on the small dip right above the bridge of your nose, between your brows. Press gently and hold for a slow count, breathing out as you do. This area tends to hold a surprising amount of strain.
The temples. Place a finger on each temple, the soft area on the sides of your head just past the outer corners of your eyes. Make small, slow circles with very light pressure. If it feels tender, ease off.
The base of the skull. Reach the spots where your neck meets the back of your head, just to either side of the center. Many people carry tension here from screens and posture. Press upward and gently, or let your fingers rest there while you lower your shoulders and breathe.
The web between thumb and index finger. On the back of one hand, find the fleshy mound between your thumb and first finger. Squeeze it gently between the thumb and finger of your other hand and hold. Switch hands after a minute or so. This is a common point people use for general head tension.
Points to try for sinus pressure
When sinuses feel blocked and heavy, the pressure tends to gather around the nose, cheeks, and brow. Gentle attention here can feel relieving for many people.
Either side of the nostrils. Place a fingertip on each side of the base of your nose, in the small grooves beside the nostrils. Press lightly and hold, or make tiny circles. This area sits near the cheeks and can feel like the most tender spot when sinuses are full.
The inner brow and the bridge of the nose. The same point between the eyebrows can help here too. You can also gently trace from the inner corners of the brows along the brow line, pausing where it feels tight.
The cheeks below the eyes. Rest your fingertips on the cushion of your cheeks, below the eyes and to the sides of the nose. Use a soft, even pressure. Keep everything gentle near the eyes; never press on the eyeball itself.
What to rest on your eyes for relief
While you do the pressure-point work, or simply while you lie still afterward, it helps to give your eyes and forehead a little weight and warmth or cool. This is where a stillnus weighted eye pillow fits naturally. Ours is filled with organic flaxseed and lavender, never gel, and each one is handmade in Southern California.
For sinus pressure and general tension, warm the pillow gently and rest it over your closed eyes and brow. The soft weight and warmth can feel soothing across the sinuses and forehead. For a pounding tension headache, many people prefer it chilled instead, which can feel calming against the heat that sometimes comes with the throbbing. Either way, let it rest lightly. You are not pressing down with it; you are letting it settle while you breathe and let your hands do the gentle work below it.
If you want to read more about how this pairs with headaches, you might like our notes on an eye pillow for migraines and tension and the honest question of whether eye pillows can help with headaches.
When a headache needs a doctor
This is general comfort guidance, not medical advice. Pressure points and rest are meant for the ordinary tension and sinus heaviness most of us know. Some headaches are different and deserve real medical attention. Please see a doctor if a headache comes on suddenly and severely, feels like the worst you have ever had, follows a head injury, or comes with a fever, a stiff neck, confusion, weakness, trouble speaking, vision changes, or a headache that will not let up or keeps getting worse. Trust your instincts. If something feels unusual or frightening, reach out to a medical professional rather than waiting it out.
Common questions
How long should I hold each pressure point?
A slow count of thirty seconds to a minute on each point is a comfortable place to start. There is no need to rush or to press hard. You can return to the points that feel most helpful and skip the ones that do not.
Should I warm or chill the eye pillow?
It depends on what feels good to you. Warmth is often welcome for sinus fullness and general tension, while a chilled pillow can feel calming for a hot, pounding headache. There is no wrong choice; follow your own comfort.
Is it safe to press near my eyes and nose?
Gentle pressure on the brow, the sides of the nose, and the cheeks is fine for most people. Keep your touch light, and never press directly on the eyeball. If any spot is painful rather than tender, ease off and stop.
How often can I do this?
As often as it feels helpful. Many people return to these simple points and a few quiet minutes whenever the tension builds. If you find yourself needing relief very frequently, it is worth mentioning to your doctor.
A portion of every stillnus purchase supports Laura’s House, a domestic violence resource center.
Related: Weighted eye pillow guide for sleep, anxiety, headaches, and meditation
