How does traditional Chinese medicine treat migraines? Which parts of the body should be acupunctured for migraines?

Sometimes we feel a throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, and sometimes it affects appetite and even makes us want to vomit. In this case, we should consider whether it is a migraine. So how can Chinese medicine treat migraine?

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine treat migraine?

1. Treatment with drug prescriptions.

You can use 20 grams of dragon bone, 15 grams of stone cassia, 20 grams of mother of pearl, 20 grams of Achyranthes bidentata, 6 grams of Gastrodia elata, etc., and use the drainage method with acupuncture: take Baihui, Fengchi, Xiaxi, Xingjian, etc. This prescription is suitable for migraine caused by factors such as liver fire and liver yang.

For headaches caused by blood deficiency and kidney deficiency, accompanied by tinnitus, etc., you can use: 6 grams of ginseng, 20 grams of yam, 15 grams of angelica, 15 grams of Ligustrum lucidum, 15 grams of cornus, 15 grams of polygonatum, etc. In combination with acupuncture, use the tonic acupoints: Baihui, Ganshu, Pishu, Shenshu, Zusanli, etc.

2. Chinese medicine massage and acupoint massage

In addition to drug treatment, physical therapy such as Chinese medicine massage and acupoint massage therapy can be used to treat migraine.

When a migraine occurs, you can tap the Baihui point with your right hand, 10 times each time, to relieve the migraine.

You can also massage the Hegu point. When massaging, you can massage with both hands alternately, with the thumb bent and pressing vertically on the Hegu point, pressing tightly and loosely, with a frequency of once every 2 seconds.

The pressure needs to be of a certain intensity, and it is appropriate to feel soreness, numbness, and swelling under the acupoint.

You can also massage the temples: press the temples with both thumbs, and push hard to the tips of the ears, do this 10 times; repeated massage can help relieve migraines.

3. Moxibustion therapy

When performing moxibustion, you can choose the Waiguan point for the upper limbs and the Yanglingquan point for the lower limbs; use the sparrow pecking method to apply moxibustion, and it is best to do so until the skin turns slightly red or the nerve sensor symptoms disappear.

Where to use acupuncture for migraine

If you want to quickly relieve this symptom, acupuncture is a good way. You can combine local acupoint selection with distal acupoint selection.

First, find the irritation point on the headrest, that is, the place where you press it and feel very sore, and insert the needle 1 inch. In addition, you should choose the Touwei point, Shenting point, Taiyang point, Yangbai point, Fengchi point, and Anmian point on the head to enhance the local therapeutic effect.

Migraine belongs to the Shaoyang meridian disease from the meridian point of view, so the Hegu, Xuanzhong and Fengchi points on the Shaoyang meridian should be needled.

In traditional Chinese medicine, migraine is caused by blood stasis in the brain meridians. If the meridians are not smooth, there will be pain. Therefore, if the meridians are smooth, there will be no pain. Hegu and Shaochong belong to the four gates and important points for regulating qi. They can promote qi and relieve pain. Therefore, these two points should also be selected.

Migraine patients have different constitutions, and clinically, acupoints should be added or subtracted according to the patient's constitution. For example, patients with blood stasis should add Xuehai, patients with yang deficiency should add Mingmen, and patients with phlegm and dampness should add Fenglong.

What is a migraine?

Migraine is a common chronic neurovascular disease. The headache is mostly unilateral and is more likely to occur when one is cold, stressed, hungry, tired, angry, or before menstruation. An attack usually lasts 4 to 48 hours and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Headaches can be aggravated by light, sound stimulation or daily activities. A quiet environment and rest can relieve headaches.

Migraine patients often feel throbbing pain in the blood vessels on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia. About 60% of patients have a family history, and most of them are young and middle-aged women. The cause of the disease is related to intracranial vasoconstriction, primary neurological dysfunction and trigeminal nerve dysfunction.

When you have a migraine, be careful not to be exposed to irritating odors such as oil smoke and perfume. Protect your eyes, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, spotlights, TV screens, etc., get enough sleep and avoid staying up late. Avoid smoking and drinking. Avoid excessive mental stress and anger. Learn to relax yourself and take things around you lightly.