Some evidence suggests that certain acupressure points on the ears may help relieve pain and tension around the body. Activating pressure points in the ear may help ease symptoms of several conditions.
Acupressure is a type of alternative or complementary medicine. It has played a vital role in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years.
The core technique of acupressure therapies involves applying pressure with the fingers to certain points on the body. The applied pressure sends a signal to the body to start healing itself.
Some believe that, if applied regularly and to the right areas, acupressure can help treat symptoms related to the ears and prevent symptoms from returning. However, more research is necessary to better understand the possible benefits of acupressure points on the ears.
The ear apex, or erjian, is a pressure point that may help manage a variety of symptoms. It is at the very top center of the ear, also called the apex.
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Many believe that stimulation of the ear apex pressure point can play a role in alleviating migraine and help with earaches and tension headaches.
Learn more about acupressure for headache relief.
The daith point is at the smallest fold of cartilage in the ear, just above the opening to the ear toward the front.
According to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF), some people pierce the daith because of the reported relief to migraine pain.
However, the AMF adds that reports of success are purely anecdotal and that there is no research to support this theory.
Some acupressure practitioners claim that activating this pressure point may help with tension or migraine headaches.
Learn more about daith piercings and migraines.
Ear gate, also referred to as ermen, san jiao 21, or SJ 21, is right in front of where the earlobe starts.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying pressure to the ear gate can help alleviate head pains and tinnitus.
The pressure point located slightly behind the earlobe may help with tinnitus, earaches, and headaches.
However, this is anecdotal. More research is necessary to determine the possible benefits of applying pressure to the earlobe.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that certain pressure points in other parts of the body may help manage symptoms or conditions affecting the ears.
- Crown of the head: The acupressure point located at the crown of the head, in line with the tips of the ears, is also known in TCM as the Governor Vessel 20, GV 20, DU 20, or baihui. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that activating this pressure point may help with tinnitus.
- Center of the forehead: In the center of the forehead, just above the bridge of the nose and between the eyes, is a point known as the third eye. TCM practitioners also refer to it as yintang or EX HN 3. Activating this pressure point may help alleviate pain in the head, eyes, and ears. There is anecdotal evidence that this point may also help with tinnitus.
- Temples: Applying pressure to the temples may help alleviate head pain. The evidence is anecdotal, though some people may find relief for their headaches or earaches by rubbing their temples when the pain starts to come on.
- Hairline points: There is a point located along the hairline near the temple, one on each side of the head. Acupressure practitioners refer to this point as ST 8 or touwei. In a 2006 study, researchers found that using these two points provided an effective treatment for tinnitus.
Learn more about pressure points for pain relief.
There are several studies that look at the effectiveness of acupressure and pressure points.
Although the studies vary in size, quality, and the condition they analyze, most find that using acupressure to treat various conditions has favorable results.
A 2015 review of studies examined data on auricular acupressure and acupressure of the ear for treating various illnesses, including pain in different parts of the body.
The researchers found that acupressure can positively affect people’s symptoms. However, it is still unclear what the exact mechanisms of acupressure are.
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A person interested in using acupressure should seek guidance from their doctor, who may provide information or refer them to a certified acupressure specialist for therapy and instruction.
Acupressure may help alleviate ear symptoms, such as pain, ringing, or humming in the ears. However, the evidence is mostly anecdotal. More research is necessary to better understand the possible health benefits of acupressure.
A person may want to consult a healthcare professional before self-administering a massage, in order to make sure they have the proper technique.
An acupressurist or massage therapist who performs acupressure may help a person identify the best spots for them and what symptoms they may be able to help with.