Headache in Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine does not view headache as a single disease, but rather as a symptom of different patterns. Treating headache begins with identifying the pattern.
Types of Headache
1. Wind-Cold Headache (风寒头痛)
Symptoms:
- Pain involving the entire head
- Sensitivity to cold and wind
- Chills, absence of sweating
- Nasal congestion
- Tongue: thin white coating
Treatment: Expel wind and cold
- Ginger-cinnamon tea
- Point GB20 (风府 Fengfu) + LI4 (合谷 Hegu)
- Warm the head and neck
2. Wind-Heat Headache (风热头痛)
Symptoms:
- Throbbing pain, sensation of heat
- Reddened face
- Thirst, red throat
- Tongue: yellow coating
Treatment: Cool and expel wind
- Mint tea
- Point LI4 (合谷 Hegu) + LI11 (曲池 Quchi)
- Cold compress on the forehead
3. Liver Yang Headache (肝阳头痛)
Symptoms:
- Pain in the temples (both sides)
- Dizziness, tinnitus
- Tension, irritability
- Redness of the eyes
- Tongue: red on the sides
Treatment: Calm the liver
- Point LR3 (太冲 Taichong) + GB20
- Hibiscus tea
- Avoid anger, rest
4. Blood Deficiency Headache (血虚头痛)
Symptoms:
- Mild chronic pain
- Pallor, dizziness when standing
- Blurred vision
- Palpitations, forgetfulness
- Tongue: pale
Treatment: Nourish the blood
- Danggui (当归) chicken soup
- Point ST36 (足三里 Zusanli) + SP6 (三阴交 Sanyinjiao)
- Foods: dates, spinach, liver
5. Damp-Phlegm Headache (痰湿头痛)
Symptoms:
- Heavy pain as if the head is bound
- Feeling of drowsiness and heaviness
- Nausea, phlegm
- Tongue: thick, sticky white coating
Treatment: Dry dampness and transform phlegm
- Roasted brown rice tea
- Point ST40 (丰隆 Fenglong) + SP9
- Avoid fatty and sweet foods
Self-Treatment with Points
The Magic Point: LI4 (合谷) — Hegu
- Location: Between the thumb and index finger, at the highest point of the muscle
- Benefit: The best point for headache — especially the forehead and face
- Caution: ⚠️ Do not press during pregnancy!
Point GB20 (风池) — Fengchi
- Location: Base of the skull, in the hollows behind the ear
- Benefit: Head and neck headache, expels wind
Point LR3 (太冲) — Taichong
- Location: Top of the foot, between the big toe and second toe
- Benefit: Temple headache, anger, tension
⚠️ Warning: Sudden severe headache with neck stiffness may be an emergency (meningitis). Go to the hospital immediately. A headache that gradually worsens with vomiting requires medical examination.
