Forehead ache? Press Tou Wei (ST8) at the hairline corner
Find Tou Wei (ST8) for frontal headache
Where is 头维 (ST8)? Forehead corner, 0.5 cun inside the anterior hairline. Gentle pinch-massage both sides for frontal headache.
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Bites · Everyday TCM · Pain & Injuries · Acupoint · About 2 minutes
合谷 · Joining Valley sits on the Large Intestine meridian, on the dorsum of the hand beside the second metacarpal. A classic home press when frontal or flu-season headache gathers.
In brief
He Gu (合谷, LI4 / Hegu) sits on the back of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal. Soft-fist either hand, locate the tender hollow, then gently massage with the other thumb until the ache eases. Repeat on both sides. Home press is often used for frontal headache and headache after a cold or flu. Skip He Gu in pregnancy. Stop if pain sharpens.
Point guide
Place one hand in a soft half-clench so the webbing between thumb and index finger lifts. On the back of that hand, feel for the tender hollow beside the second metacarpal at mid-shaft, between the first and second metacarpal bones. Simple cue: rest the other thumb's crease on the web margin; the tip marks the point. Chinese: 一手半握拳。在手背,第二掌骨桡侧中点处。简便取穴:以一手拇指指间横纹搭在另一手拇食指间指蹼缘上,拇指尖下是穴。
With the other thumb, gently massage the point until you feel a dull soreness (酸胀). Keep the press kind. Sharp shooting pain means ease off and relocate the hollow, not hard bone. Chinese: 以另一手拇指按揉合谷穴直至有酸胀感。
Keep massaging until the headache eases, or for about one to two minutes per side. Then switch hands and repeat. Both sides are usual for frontal or post-flu head pain. Chinese: 按揉直至症状改善。两手交替重复。
Ease off if the press feels sharp, numb, or wrong. Mild ache that eases on release is common; sharp pain is a stop signal. Sudden worst-ever headache, fever with stiff neck, vision loss, or headache after trauma need urgent care, not self-press.
Try today Soft-fist either hand, find He Gu beside the second metacarpal, and thumb-massage until the ache eases, then switch sides.
Next step
Read the matching guide or pathway next. Book when you are ready for personalised care.
Self-press tips are educational, not personal medical advice. Book a consult for headaches that keep returning, or if pain changes character.
FAQs
On the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal. Soft-fist the hand, then feel for the tender hollow in the webbing line. Simple locate: rest one thumb's crease on the other hand's thumb-index web margin; the tip marks the point. Chinese: 在手背,第二掌骨桡侧中点处。
在手背,第二掌骨桡侧中点处。简便取穴:以一手拇指指间横纹搭在另一手拇食指间指蹼缘上,拇指尖下是穴。左右手皆可。
Soft-fist one hand, locate the hollow beside the second metacarpal, then gently thumb-massage with the other hand until a dull soreness, and keep going until the ache eases. Switch hands and repeat. Sharp pain means ease off. Skip this point in pregnancy.
No. If there's any chance of pregnancy, don't use this. He Gu is a classical strong-moving point and is not suitable for pregnant women. Ask a physician about safer options for headache in pregnancy.
About one to two minutes per side, or until symptoms ease, is the usual educational habit. A dull ache (酸胀) is the cue. Sharp pain, shooting tingling, or numbness means ease off.
Yes. LI4, He Gu, and Hegu all name 合谷 on the Large Intestine channel. Same landmark on the hand dorsum beside the second metacarpal.
Home press often targets frontal (forehead) headache and headache after a cold or flu. It is also a common distal point for face and head patterns. Self-press is a short habit between visits, not care for sudden worst-ever headache, fever with stiff neck, or headache after trauma.
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