Migraine headaches are triggered by sudden blood flow changes to the visual cortex of the brain.

The blood vessels in the brain and the menings (membranes that envelop the brain) dilate and cause surrounding tissues to swell painfully. Typically, a migraine manifests on one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound.<>

Since the etiology of the migraine is not totally known, the authors focus their acupressure treatment suggestions on preventing flare-ups and alleviating them when they do occur.

For acupressure self-treatments in the moment, try the following:

* If the pain and throbbing are on the left side of your head, pull your right earlobe upward and outward. Pull as many times as your age (fifty-three times if you’re fifty-three years old). Pull as hard as you can tolerate. Ideally, you will hear the crackling “put-put” sound of your earlobe in the beginning. Repeat twice a day for two or three days.

* After pulling your earlobe, fill a basin with warm water and immerse both of your hands in the warm water. Keep adding hot water to maintain the water temperature for thirty minutes.

* When the migraine headache is mild, you’ll need only a cold towel on your forehead, covering your eyes. In summertime, use an ice bag. This will cause the blood vessels to constrict, thus relieving the symptoms.

* If the migraine is in both temples, press the roots of both ring fingernails (Jiagung) on both hands. (Editor’s note: The Jiagung is the skin right below the nail, under the “moon.”) If the migraine affects only one side, apply cutting pressure to the root of the ring fingernail of the affected side with the fingernail of the index finger of the other hand.