You've popped the ibuprofen, but your headache is still pounding; you've chugged Pepto-Bismol, but you still feel like you're going to hurl; you've tried your trusty hangover cure, but you still feel like you got hit by a car. If supplements have failed you, it may be time to listen to your chi and go au natural with acupressure.
Based on the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture, acupressure has been used to treat everything from headaches to insomnia -- without the hundreds of needles pricking your skin. All you need are your two hands to get relief right at your desk, when you need it the most.
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For Nausea That Hits You Like a Tidal Wave
Do This: To get the same effect as a motion sickness bracelet, take your wrist in between your thumb and your index and middle fingers. Your thumb should be on the inside of your wrist, about two finger-widths down from the top crease, while your middle and index fingers are on the opposite side of your wrist. Firmly press together.
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For the Night-of-Really-Bad-Decisions Hangover
Do This: Looking at the back of your left hand, place your right thumb on the webbing between your thumb and index finger and place your other fingertips on the palm directly behind. Firmly press into the webbing and repeat on the opposite hand.
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For Menstrual Cramps That Make You Wish You Were Giving Birth Instead
Do This: Use your fingers to locate the spot between your lumbar spine and your tailbone, near the middle of your sacrum (that's the large, triangular bone at the base of your spine). Firmly press this pressure point while taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth until the pain begins to subside. Repeat throughout the day when feel cramps flaring up.
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For Sinus Pressure That Makes You Wish Your Head Would Explode Already
Do This: Place your index fingers on either side of your nose. Gently press on the creases where your nose and cheek meet, just outside the flare of your nostrils. Hold for up to 3 minutes.
