Headaches and migraines are some of the most common symptoms people experience. They are also some of the more difficult conditions to treat. This is because there is a multitude of factors that are involved. However, Chinese medicine does a great job in alleviating headaches and migraines.
After dehydration, the most common cause of headache that I have experienced is due to tension in the neck and scalp. For this, massage and acupuncture work very well. A common location for tension bands is at the back of the head, at the junction where the skull curves upward. This area is often very sore and indicates stagnation of blood and fascia. So, I will massage this area quite strongly, as well as the SCM and Scalene muscles of the neck.
Depending on the location of the headache, I will also massage the rest of the head. Other common areas of tension are located to the side and back of the ear. Often there will be a little “rope” in this area. I suspect this is frequently due to simply “thinking too much.” When there is stagnation or tension in the scalp, this prevents the blood from reaching parts of the head, leading to pain.
According to Chinese medical thinking, pain in the head results when the clear yang is obstructed or when nourishment to the head from the qi, blood, and essence is inadequate. The primary pathogenic factor is Wind. An ancient medial text says that, “When injured by wind, the upper part of the body will be affected first.” Wind, as the Chinese understand it, is yang in nature and carries other pathogens to invade the body. Wind can combine with either cold, heat, dryness, or dampness.
Headaches are typically broken down into 8 common patterns. Each of these patterns will accordingly have different acupuncture points and different herbal formulas.
Exterior Wind-Cold headache: symptoms include headache with radiating pain to the neck and back that is aggravated by windy weather. There is often aversion to wind or cold, and no thirst. The herbal formula best suited for this pattern is called Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San. Common acupuncture points include Large Intestine 4, Gall Bladder 20, and Du 20.
Exterior Wind-Heat headache: symptoms include headache with distention, possible with a sensation of “splitting.” There is aversion to wind, fever, red face and eyes, thirst with desire to drink cold beverages, and a swollen sore throat. The best herbal formula for this pattern is called Xiong Zhi Shi Gao Tang.
Wind-Dampness headache: symptoms include headache with a sensation of heaviness, aggravated by cloudy or rainy weather, heaviness of the arms and legs, stuffy chest and epigastrium, poor appetite, dysuria, and irregular bowel movements. I use the formula called Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang.
Liver Yang headache: headache with throbbing or distending pain, dizziness, red eyes, unilateral or bilateral, and aggravated by emotional stress. There may be distention and pain in the rib areas, irritability, short temper, insomnia, red face, and a bitter taste in the mouth. I use the formula called Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin. Acupuncture points that are helpful for this pattern include Gall Bladder 20, Gallbladder 43, Du 20, and Liver 2.
Phlegm-turbidity headache: headache with dizziness and cloudiness of the head, full and stuffy sensation in the chest and epigastrium, nausea and vomiting of phlegm and saliva. I use the formula Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang. Helpful acupuncture points include Ren 12, Stomach 40, Du 20, and Yin Tang.
Blood Stasis headache: prolonged lingering headache where the pain has a fixed location that is sharp or stabbing. There may be a history of head injury. For this I use Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tong. Good acupuncture points include Large Intestine 4 and Spleen 6
Blood Deficiency headache: headache with dizziness, palpitations, and restlessness. There may be fatigue, lack of strength and a pale complexion on the face. I use the formula Si Wu Tang to nourish the blood and alleviate the headache. Good acupuncture points include Du 20, Bladder 20, Ren 6, and Stomach 36.
Kidney Essence Deficiency: headache with dizziness and a sensation of emptiness in the head. There may be weakness and soreness of the lower back and knees, lassitude, lack of strength, insomnia, and tinnitus. I typically use the formula Da Bu Yuan Jian.