Headaches according to TCM
According to the TCM, headaches have two sources, Exterior and Interior. (See the picture for patterns)
Research on Acupuncture & Chronic Migraine
Patients who received acupuncture to treat chronic headaches, particularly migraines, experienced the equivalent of 22 fewer days of headaches per year, used 15% less medication and missed 15% fewer days of work. Another study systematically reviewed 22 randomized controlled trials, concluding acupuncture “has a role in the treatment of recurrent headaches,” and can lead to other various clinical benefits for patients with chronics headache.
[Vickers Al, et al. BMJ, 2004 Mar.27;328(7442). Cephalgia, Nov.;1999]
Acupuncture and TCM for headaches
Acupuncture is not only effective for migraine headaches, but also works very well with tension headaches, cluster headaches, post-traumatic headaches, and disease-related headaches that might be due to sinus problems, TMJ, stroke, high blood pressure, or sleeping disorders.
The greatest advantage of acupuncture is that it has virtually no side effects. Acupuncture, as an effective treatment modality, was applied to headaches from the earliest beginnings of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has a very coherent, consistent and philosophically-based framework for headache etiology, physiology, diagnosis, and treatment strategy.
All the body’s Yang meridians meet in the head, and they facilitate the flow of Blood and Qi into the head. A clear mind and pain-free head depends on having a sufficiency of Qi and Blood flow, well-functioning internal organs, and a correct rising and falling of Yin and Yang energy.
There are a number of conditions, patterns, or dysfunctions that can cause headaches. The most common are: a deficiency of Qi, which prevents Qi and Yang from circulating properly; a deficiency of Blood, so that the meridians aren’t properly nourished, and insufficient Blood is circulating to the head; a blockage of the meridians by external pathogenic factors. Acupuncture treatment can harmonize the organs, balance Yin and Yang, tonify Chi and Blood, and clear blocked meridians.
