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Headaches and migraine

Headache can manifest itself in many ways. The pain can be depressing, nagging, stabbing or pounding and can be felt on the forehead, at the temples, behind the eyes, on the crown or from the neck. In addition, migraine may cause symptoms such as nausea and hypersensitivity to light and sound.

Some people have occasional headaches, for example after a bad night or a period of tension. In others the complaints return regularly and affect work, concentration, sports and daily activities.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in various types of headaches and migraines. The treatment is tailored to the type of headache, character and location of the pain, possible triggers and other symptoms present simultaneously.

Western disorders where headaches can occur

Headache is a symptom and does not always have to be part of a specific condition. With primary headaches the headache itself is the condition. In secondary headaches the pain arises due to another condition or cause.

Common forms and causes are:

Headache can also occur in many other conditions. New, unusually severe or clearly altered headaches may therefore be a reason for medical examination.

Possible causes

The cause of headaches varies by type and often several factors play a role at the same time. For example, prolonged VDU work, posture and tension in the neck, shoulders or jaw can contribute to the complaints. Pain from muscles and joints in the neck can also radiate to the head.

In migraine, various factors may trigger an attack. Examples include sleep deprivation, stress, alcohol, skipping meals and hormonal changes around certain periods of the menstrual cycle. Also fatigue, inadequate drinking and certain foods can affect some people.

Which factors are relevant varies per person. Keeping track of when the headache occurs, how long it lasts and what circumstances precede it can help to identify personal patterns and triggers.

How can acupuncture help with headaches and migraine?

Acupuncture looks at the type of headache, location and character of pain, the frequency of complaints and possible triggers. Additional symptoms and factors such as neck and shoulder tension, sleep, stress or menstrual cycle can also be included. The treatment can be adjusted during the course.

Acupuncture may include:

When neck and shoulder symptoms play an important role, local tense muscles and pain points can be part of the treatment. Acupuncture can also be combined with physiotherapy or exercise therapy when posture, muscle stress or neck problems contribute to headaches.

How can Chinese herbal medicine help with headaches and migraine?

Chinese herbs can be used in addition to acupuncture, especially when headaches return regularly or are associated with other complaints. As herbs are taken daily, they can also provide support between acupuncture treatments.

Depending on the underlying pattern, Chinese herbal medicine may focus on:

The composition is tailored to your complaints and general health and can be adjusted during the treatment course. Acupuncture and herbs can be applied separately, but can also complement each other if they match the symptoms.

How does Chinese medicine view headaches and migraine?

Within Western medicine, a distinction is made between different types of headaches, such as migraine, tension headache and cervical headache. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also looks at the way the headache is: where is the pain, how does it feel, when does it develop and what makes it better or worse?

In case of headaches, the meridians that run over the head and the flow of Qi and Blood are important. Meridians are seen within TCM as compounds through the body that circulates Qi and Blood. Several meridians walk over the forehead, the temples, the side of the head, the crown and the occipital. Therefore, the place of pain can give clues about which meridians are involved, but is never judged by themselves.

An important starting point within TCM is that headaches can occur when the free flow of Qi and Blood is hindered. This may, for example, be associated with tension in the neck and shoulders or prolonged stress. However, headaches can also arise if the head is not fed adequately according to TCM, or if certain processes are too strongly directed upwards.

For headaches, the Liver organ system also plays a regular role. A TCM organ system means not only the anatomical organ, but a collection of body functions and interrelationships. The Liver organ system is linked to a smooth movement of Qi and Blood. This can be relevant when headaches are related to stress, emotional tension or menstrual cycle.

A recognizable combination of such characteristics is called a TCM pattern. Two people with the same diagnosis, for example migraine, can have different patterns and be treated differently.

Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns may occur at the same time. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the mentioned symptoms. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of your symptoms.

What's a meridian?

What is a TCM organ system?

What is a TCM pattern?

Most common TCM patterns in headache and migraine

Liver Qi-stagnation

With Liver Qi-stagnation, the movement of Qi according to TCM is less flexible. This pattern fits especially with headaches that are clearly related to stress, emotional tension or periods in which the body feels tense. Neck, shoulder and jaw tension can also play a role.

Common symptoms: oppressive or tense headache, tense neck and shoulders, symptoms that increase during periods of stress, irritability and sometimes headaches around certain periods of the menstrual cycle.

Examples of Western disorders: stress headache, migraine and headache in which neck, shoulder or jaw tension plays a clear role.

Rising Liver Yang

At Rising Liver Yang, Yang moves up too strongly according to TCM. The headache is often heavier and more pounding than with Qi-stagnation alone. Stress, tension and fatigue can provoke or intensify the complaints.

Common symptoms: pounding or throbbing headache, often on the side of the head or at the temples, dizziness, irritability and sometimes ringing in the ears. The complaints can suddenly become stronger.

Examples of Western disorders: migraine and recurrent pounding headaches.

Dampness and Phlegm

According to TCM Dampness and Phlegm, there is an accumulation that hinders normal brightness and movement towards the head. This often makes the headache feel more heavy and oppressive than sharp.

Common symptoms: heavy or misty head, depressed headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness and sometimes feeling full or bloated. The head can hardly feel clear.

Examples of Western disorders: migraine with nausea and recurrent headaches with heaviness and dizziness at the forefront.

Qi- and Blood deficiency

When TCM says that insufficient Qi and Blood are available to support and feed the head well, more often a dull and less severe headache occurs. The symptoms are usually clearer when someone is tired or has consumed a lot of energy.

Common symptoms: dull or nagging headache, fatigue, dizziness, light-headedness and symptoms that get worse after exercise or a long day and improve by rest.

Examples of Western disorders: recurrent headaches in fatigue and some forms of chronic stress headache.

Blood stasis

Blood stasis significantly obstructs the local flow of Blood according to TCM. This pattern fits especially with sharp, persistent headaches that always come back in the same place. It can occur after trauma or develop during long-term complaints.

Common symptoms: sharp or stabbing headaches, permanent pain, obvious local sensitivity and prolonged complaints. Sometimes there is a history of a fall, accident, whiplash or other neck or head injury.

Examples of Western disorders: post-traumatic headache, cervical headache and chronic headache with a clearly localized pain site.

Outlook

How quickly headache or migraine improves depends, among other things, on the type of headache, how often the symptoms occur, how long they last and what factors trigger or sustain the attacks. Recent or relatively simple headaches can change faster than migraines or headaches that have been returning regularly for months or years.

In the initial phase, it is often treated approximately once a week. In case of frequent or severe symptoms, treatment may be more temporary. If headaches occur less frequently, become less severe and remain more stable, the frequency can usually be reduced. These are guidelines; the course of treatment is tailored to your situation.

In the case of recurrent headaches, it is also useful to map personal triggers and influencing factors. Depending on the situation, for example, adequate sleep, regular meals, sufficient drinking, movement, stress regulation and treatment of neck and shoulder complaints may be part of the approach.

When is medical research important?

Most recurring headaches have no serious cause, but some types of headaches require rapid medical assessment.

Find medical attention in case of sudden very severe headaches that become maximum within a short period of time, headaches after severe head injury or headaches associated with for example loss of strength, paralysis, problems with speech, confusion or loss of consciousness.

Also new or clearly changed headaches, persistent headaches with fever and neck stiffness or headaches that are getting worse is reason to have medical assessment of what is going on.

Contact

Do you suffer from headaches or migraines and do you want to know if acupuncture can help you?

During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, medical history and any underlying factors. On the basis of this, a treatment plan will be drawn up that matches your situation.

You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.

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