2. Chronic Fatigue and Eye Strain: The Third Eye Point
The Third Eye acupressure point (GV 24.5) is a special point located outside of the primary energy pathways. It is known as a ‘Yintang’ point, which literally translates as ‘Central Mark’.
It is thought to be good for many conditions relating to your head and mind. Massaging the point, located in the middle of your forehead, has been shown to reduce chronic fatigue, headaches, depression, insomnia and eye strain, as well as improve memory and concentration. Due to its proximity to your nasal passageways, it has also been shown to relieve sinus pain and congestion.
The Third Eye Point connects to the homeostatic mechanisms of the pituitary gland, which is located just behind the bridge of the nose. The pituitary gland is considered a master gland because it controls several other hormone glands in your body, including the thyroid and adrenals, the ovaries and testicles.
To find your third eye point, place your middle finger on the bridge of your nose between your eyebrows. Apply gentle pressure, and you should feel gentle pressure in your eye sockets. Apply this pressure for up to a minute and then release. Again, this can be more effective if you take slow, deep breaths whilst applying this pressure. The pressure should always only feel gentle and never cause discomfort. Acupressure practitioners may also encourage you to close your eyes and focus on this third eye point whilst applying the pressure, this can be useful within not only for pain relief, but also for meditation.
The method was shown to be so effective at improving memory and relieving stress, that psychologist Sigmund Freud used to use it on his patients to help uncover repressed memories.