Acupressure for Toothache

Acupressure is an older tradition than acupuncture but fell into neglect for a time after the Chinese developed needles to stimulate points on the body, according to Michael Gach in "Acupressure's Potent Points." An acupressure practitioner exerts pressure with the fingers on specific body points along different meridians, which, based on traditional Chinese Medicine, affects particular body conditions.

Between Upper and Lower Jaws

Called the Jaw Chariot and identified in the traditional acupressure numbering system as ST 6 on the Stomach Meridian, this point lies between the upper and lower jaws just in front of the earlobe. Locate this acupressure point on the side of the toothache. Find the exact spot on the muscle that bulges with slight clenching of the back teeth. Press firmly and hold on this point for one minute with your first and second fingers or thumb.

Foot Points

Locate the depression just behind the anklebone on the outside of the ankle. Apply firm pressure to this point with your first or middle finger, maintaining the pressure for one to two minutes. If the pain does not decrease, try the same type of pressure to a point on the top of the foot a slight distance back from the separation of the second and third toes.

Hand Points

Use the thumb and index finger to press firmly on the webbing between the thumb and index finger of the hand. Apply repetitive pressure strokes for two minutes. Acupressure specialists call this the "Joining the Valley point," LI 4, which lies on the Large Intestine Meridian. Caution: Pregnant women should not use this point. This particular point relates to pain in many areas.

Back of the Upper Arm

Two acupressure points on the upper arm help relieve toothaches. One thumb width towards the back of the upper arm muscle and two finger widths above this spot is the "Shoulder Meeting Point," TW 13 on the Triple Warmer Meridian. Apply pressure with the middle finger to this point for one to two minutes. For pain in a back molar try TW 13.

Front of the Upper Arm

The second arm point is on the Large Intestine Meridian and called the "Outer Arm Bone," LI 14. Locate this point one-third of the way down from the top of the shoulder and on the outer part of the upper arm. When the pain comes from a tooth towards the front of the mouth, use LI 14. For a left-side toothache, use the pressure point on the left arm and vice versa for a painful tooth on the right side.