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WunderClip’s website says this about its product: “All natural pain relief literally at your fingers. No pills, no powders, no potions, no kidding.” They are referring to a headache remedy in the form of a two-inch yellow plastic doohickey that pinches the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger. The WunderClip is a natural headache treatment that operates on the ancient principles of Chinese acupressure.

Acupressure—and its close cousin, acupuncture—is based on the idea that we have a life force in our bodies that runs on pathways called meridians. When the energy (called chi or qi) is blocked, pain and disease can occur. The webby flesh between the thumb and index finger is the LI4 meridian (LI = large-intestine) and when squeezed, can relieve many types of headaches, particularly tension headaches and those stemming from tight neck muscles. As a chronic headache sufferer, I have often found myself pinching that area with my own fingers, only to get a cramp in that hand, and a bruise on the other. Then, on a recent flight to Los Angeles, I saw an ad for the WunderClip in the in-flight magazine. It claimed to do the pinching for me. I ordered one.

The WunderClip website shows a video on how to use it, but it was obvious to me, since I was a longtime pressure point squeezer. The ideal spot rests about 1.5 inches in from the edge of the padded area between the thumb and index finger. Think of the gadget as a clothespin, but with a more intense pinching mechanism. In fact, it holds on so tight that it won’t easily fall off, although I do recommend keeping your hand still to keep it in place.

My verdict is this: If this headache pressure point usually works for you when you activate it manually, the WunderClip will work as well, and you’ll save yourself the … um, headache … of having to use your other hand or asking someone else to squeeze the spot for you. I used it about five or six times, and it usually lessened the severity of my headache each time. I can’t say it ever completely disappeared, however. Then again, my headaches can be tough beastly little buggers. The makers suggest kneading the round ends together to intensify the pressure, and therefore the healing process. I did this, and the soreness jumped a notch, but it felt like therapeutic pain.

So, for convenience, I give the WunderClip a 9, and for effectiveness A 7.5. If you’re not used to stimulating the LI4 pressure point, the clip will feel very tight. Yes, it can hurt, but just enough to let you know it’s on the right spot, and that it’s working. I have found that the stronger my headache, the more painful this pressure point becomes, when stimulated.

The company does not indicate whether one hand should be treated over another, or if there’s any greater benefit to placing one on both hands simultaneously, but they do suggest you keep it on between five and fifteen minutes, then rest for five minutes, and repeat if necessary. I have a few of them now and keep them throughout the house and even in my car. They are $9.24 and you can find them at WunderClip.

If you try one, let me know if it worked for you!

Today’s Tip

WunderClip advises against use of the device if pregnant, as it can stimulate contractions.