Head
Temporalis, frontalis, suboccipital muscles, masseter
Related muscles
- Suboccipital muscles：Tension-type headache, forward head posture, pain behind the eyes
- Temporalis：Dull ache in the temple area, side-head pain when clenching the teeth
- Masseter：Teeth grinding, jaw joint pain, clenched jaw
- Frontalis：Tight forehead, headache, tired eyes
Related acupoints
Massage and stretching
Massage method：Use small circular finger pressure on the temples and scalp for 30–60 seconds each. Place both thumbs under the base of the skull and gently lift upward.
Relief stretches：Gently tuck the chin 10 times. Close the eyes, breathe deeply and relax the jaw.
Visceral referred-pain notes
Uncommon. Sudden severe headache with nausea, vomiting or neurological symptoms should be assessed for intracranial causes.
When to see a doctor：Sudden severe headache with vomiting, vision changes or fever: seek medical care immediately.
Related meridians
Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang、Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang、Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
Frequently asked questions
Can I massage for a headache?
Tension headaches are often linked to tight muscles in the neck, shoulders and jaw. You can gently knead the temples, the scalp and the base of the skull. For sudden severe headache, vomiting, vision changes or fever, see a doctor first.
Do I need to press the temples hard?
No. Keep to a comfortable ache: small circles with the fingertips for about 30–60 seconds are enough.