The most effective pressure points for sinus relief are located on your face, clustered around the nose, eyebrows, and the base of the skull. Pressing these spots with steady finger pressure can improve blood flow, encourage drainage, and reduce that heavy, congested feeling. Here are the key points, where to find them, and how to use them.
Beside the Nostrils
The point most directly tied to nasal congestion sits in the crease where each nostril meets your cheek. You’ll find it at the midpoint of the outer edge of each nostril, right in the groove that runs from your nose to the corner of your mouth (the nasolabial fold). Place one fingertip on each side and press inward and slightly upward. This is the go-to spot for a stuffy nose because it targets the tissue closest to your nasal passages. Pressing here helps open the airways and can provide near-immediate, if temporary, relief from blockage.
Inner Corners of the Eyebrows
If your sinus pressure is concentrated in your forehead, the points at the inner ends of your eyebrows are particularly useful. They sit right above the inner corner of each eye, where the brow bone starts. You can press both sides simultaneously using your thumbs or index fingers.
This spot works because a nerve called the supratrochlear nerve runs directly beneath it. That nerve connects to the eye socket, forehead, and nasal structure. When you apply steady pressure, it triggers a chain of responses: blood vessels in the area widen, circulation to the forehead and sinus region increases, and muscular tension around the brow relaxes. In a clinical evaluation of self-applied acupressure at this point, participants reported that their nasal passages began clearing during the session, and improvements in frontal congestion and headache persisted even after they stopped pressing. The researchers attributed the effect to enhanced local blood flow, improved nasal drainage, and reduced muscle tension in the area above the eye socket.
Between the Eyebrows
The point centered between your eyebrows, sometimes called the “third eye” point, is a classic spot for frontal sinus pressure and chronic sinusitis. It sits on the bridge of the nose, right where the two brow bones meet. Use one fingertip and press firmly but gently. This point is especially helpful for pressure that radiates across the forehead, and it can also ease excessive tearing and nasal discharge that often accompany sinus congestion.
Base of the Skull
This one surprises people because it’s not on your face at all. Two points at the back of your head, in the hollows on either side of your spine just below the base of the skull, can relieve sinus congestion, nasal stuffiness, and the headaches that come with them. To find them, run your fingers along the bottom edge of your skull toward the sides. You’ll feel a natural dip between the two large muscles of the neck. Press upward into that depression with your thumbs while your fingers cradle the sides of your head. These points are traditionally used to clear the head and address congestion that radiates to the eyes, nose, and ears.
How to Apply Pressure
Use the pads of your fingers, not the tips or nails. Apply firm, steady pressure for 30 seconds to 3 minutes per point. You want enough force to feel a deep, dull sensation, but not so much that it’s painful. Small circular motions can help you find the most sensitive spot, which is usually the right location. Breathe slowly while you hold each point.
You can work through all of the points in a single session, starting at the nose and moving upward to the brow, then the forehead, and finishing at the base of the skull. Repeat one to two times a day when congestion is at its worst. Many people find it most helpful first thing in the morning and before bed, when sinus pressure tends to peak.
Does It Actually Work?
The evidence is encouraging, though not overwhelming. A randomized controlled trial testing acupressure for allergic rhinitis found that after four weeks, participants using real acupressure had significantly greater reductions in sneezing, runny nose, nasal blockage, and itchiness compared to a sham group. Blocked nose scores dropped roughly three times more in the acupressure group than in the placebo group. Medication use also fell significantly. Side effects were reported in about 11% of cases, and nearly all were mild and temporary.
The physiological explanation is straightforward. Pressing on these facial points increases blood flow to surrounding tissue, which helps reduce swelling in the nasal lining. When swelling goes down, mucus drains more easily, and that heavy pressure feeling lifts. The effect is similar to what a warm compress does, just more targeted.
Acupressure works best as a complement to other simple measures like staying hydrated, using saline rinses, and breathing in steam. It won’t cure a sinus infection, but it can meaningfully reduce the discomfort while your body heals.
When Pressure Points Aren’t Enough
Acupressure is a reasonable tool for ordinary sinus congestion from colds or allergies, but certain symptoms point to something that needs medical treatment. The CDC flags these as signs to see a provider: severe headache or facial pain, symptoms that improve and then suddenly worsen, congestion lasting more than 10 days without getting better, or a fever lasting longer than 3 to 4 days. Multiple sinus infections in a single year also warrant a closer look. In many of these cases, a provider may still recommend waiting 2 to 3 days before prescribing antibiotics, giving your immune system a chance to resolve it on its own.