In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), headaches are considered a symptom of an underlying imbalance in the body’s energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”). There are several types of headaches, but migraines are a specific type of headache that are characterized by severe, throbbing pain usually on one side of the head.
According to TCM, migraines are believed to be caused by the stagnation of Qi and blood in the body, which leads to a blockage of energy flow in the meridians (energy channels) that run throughout the body. This blockage can be caused by a variety of factors, including emotional stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or environmental toxins.
In TCM, there are several factors that can contribute to migraines, including:
Liver Qi Stagnation: In TCM, the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. When there is stagnation of liver Qi, it can cause headaches, especially migraines.
Blood Deficiency: If there is not enough blood in the body to nourish the brain and other organs, it can lead to headaches.
Dampness: Dampness is a term used in TCM to describe an excess of fluids in the body. When there is too much dampness, it can lead to headaches and migraines.
External Pathogens: External pathogens such as wind, cold, and heat can also contribute to migraines in TCM theory.
Treatment for migraines in TCM involves identifying the underlying cause of the headache and treating it accordingly. This may involve acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications to reduce stress and improve overall health. For example, acupuncture can help to stimulate the flow of Qi and blood, while herbal medicine can help to nourish the body and resolve any underlying imbalances. Dietary changes may involve avoiding certain foods that trigger migraines, while lifestyle modifications may involve getting more sleep, reducing stress, and exercising regularly.
Concept of Headache from Traditional Chinese medicine perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), headaches are a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of factors, including emotional stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or environmental toxins.
According to TCM, headaches are believed to be caused by the stagnation of Qi and blood in the body, which leads to a blockage of energy flow in the meridians (energy channels) that run throughout the body. This blockage can be caused by a variety of factors, including emotional stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or environmental toxins.
There are several types of headaches in TCM, including:
Tension Headaches: These are the most common type of headache and are typically caused by stress, anxiety, or tension in the muscles of the head and neck.
Sinus Headaches: These headaches are caused by inflammation and congestion in the sinuses, which can be triggered by allergies, infections, or other environmental factors.
Cluster Headaches: These are a type of headache that are characterized by intense pain that usually occurs on one side of the head.
Migraines: Migraines are a specific type of headache that are characterized by severe, throbbing pain usually on one side of the head.
Treatment for headaches in TCM involves identifying the underlying cause of the headache and treating it accordingly. This may involve acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications to reduce stress and improve overall health. For example, acupuncture can help to stimulate the flow of Qi and blood, while herbal medicine can help to nourish the body and resolve any underlying imbalances. Dietary changes may involve avoiding certain foods that trigger headaches, while lifestyle modifications may involve getting more sleep, reducing stress, and exercising regularly.
Acupuncture points for headache
Acupuncture points that are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of headaches:
Baihui (GV20): Located at the top of the head, in the center of the line connecting the ears. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and improve mental clarity.
Hegu (LI4): Located on the back of the hand, in the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger. This point is believed to help relieve pain and promote the flow of Qi and blood.
Taiyang (Extra point): Located at the temple, in the depression about 1 cm in front of the ear. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and eye pain.
Yanglingquan (GB34): Located on the outside of the lower leg, just below the knee. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and promote the flow of Qi and blood.
Fengchi (GB20): Located at the base of the skull, in the hollows on either side of the neck. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, neck pain, and dizziness.
Quchi (LI11): Located on the outside of the elbow, in the depression at the outer end of the elbow crease. This point is believed to help relieve pain and promote the flow of Qi and blood.
Shuaigu (GB8): Located on the side of the head, about 1 cm above the ear. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and eye pain.
Zusanli (ST36): Located on the outside of the lower leg, about 4 finger widths below the knee. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and promote overall health.
Taichong (LV3): Located on the top of the foot, between the big toe and the second toe. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, eye pain, and irritability.
Yingxiang (LI20): Located on the side of the nose, in the depression next to the nostril. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, sinus pain, and nasal congestion.
Jianjing (GB21): Located on the top of the shoulders, about halfway between the neck and the outer edge of the shoulder. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension.
Shangxing (GV23): Located on the forehead, in the center of the line connecting the eyebrows. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and improve mental clarity.
Baiwanxiashu (BL23): Located on the lower back, on either side of the spine at the level of the waist. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and improve overall health.
Shenting (GV24.5): Located on the forehead, midway between the hairline and the eyebrows. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and improve mental clarity.
Yintang (Extra point): Located between the eyebrows, at the midpoint of the eyebrow ridge. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and promote relaxation.
Dazhui (GV14): Located on the upper back, at the level of the shoulders. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension.
Heguan (Extra point): Located on the forehead, in the midpoint between the eyebrows and the hairline. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, sinus pain, and eye strain.
Shixuan (Extra point): Located on the forehead, 1 cm above the midpoint between the eyebrows and the hairline. This point is believed to help relieve headaches and improve mental clarity.
Neiguan (PC6): Located on the inside of the forearm
Touwei (ST8): Located on the forehead, about 1.5 cm directly above the midpoint between the eyebrows and the hairline. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, eye pain, and dizziness.
Chengjiang (CV24): Located on the chin, in the center of the depression below the lower lip. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, facial pain, and toothaches.
Fengfu (GV16): Located on the back of the neck, at the base of the skull. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension.
Jingbailao (GB37): Located on the outside of the lower leg, about 5 cm above the ankle. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, eye pain, and neck pain.
Zhiyin (BL67): Located on the outside of the little toe, at the corner of the nail bed. This point is believed to help relieve headaches, eye pain, and neck pain. It is often used in conjunction with other points to promote the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body.
It’s important to note that acupressure and acupuncture should be performed by a qualified practitioner. They will be able to assess your individual condition and develop a personalized treatment plan that includes specific acupuncture points and techniques to address your symptoms.
Acupuncture points for migraine
Acupoints that are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of migraines:
Baihui (GV20): Located at the top of the head, in the center of the line connecting the ears. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and improve mental clarity.
Taiyang (Extra point): Located at the temple, in the depression about 1 cm in front of the ear. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and eye pain.
Hegu (LI4): Located on the back of the hand, in the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger. This point is believed to help relieve pain and promote the flow of Qi and blood.
Yanglingquan (GB34): Located on the outside of the lower leg, just below the knee. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and promote the flow of Qi and blood.
Fengchi (GB20): Located at the base of the skull, in the hollows on either side of the neck. This point is believed to help relieve migraines, neck pain, and dizziness.
Quchi (LI11): Located on the outside of the elbow, in the depression at the outer end of the elbow crease. This point is believed to help relieve pain and promote the flow of Qi and blood.
Shuaigu (GB8): Located on the side of the head, about 1 cm above the ear. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and eye pain.
Zusanli (ST36): Located on the outside of the lower leg, about 4 finger widths below the knee. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and promote overall health.
Taichong (LV3): Located on the top of the foot, between the big toe and the second toe. This point is believed to help relieve migraines, eye pain, and irritability.
Yingxiang (LI20): Located on the side of the nose, in the depression next to the nostril. This point is believed to help relieve migraines, sinus pain, and nasal congestion.
Jianjing (GB21): Located on the top of the shoulders, about halfway between the neck and the outer edge of the shoulder. This point is believed to help relieve migraines, neck pain, and shoulder tension.
Shangxing (GV23.5): Located on the forehead, in the center of the line connecting the eyebrows. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and improve mental clarity.
Baiwanxiashu (BL23): Located on the lower back, on either side of the spine at the level of the waist. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and improve overall health.
Shenting (GV24.5): Located on the forehead, midway between the hairline and the eyebrows. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and improve mental clarity.
Yintang (Extra point): Located between the eyebrows, at the midpoint of the eyebrow ridge. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and promote relaxation.
Dazhui (GV14): Located on the upper back, at the level of the shoulders. This point is believed to help relieve migraines, neck pain, and shoulder tension.
Taiyang (Extra point): Located on the forehead, just above the outer end of the eyebrow. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and eye pain.
Shixuan (Extra point): Located on the forehead, 1 cm above the midpoint between the eyebrows and the hairline. This point is believed to help relieve migraines and improve mental clarity.
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