Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Migraines and Other Types of Headaches
According to the World Health Organization, “Half to three quarters of adults aged 18–65 years in the world have had headache in the last year and, among those individuals, 30% or more have reported migraine.” Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can provide relief from migraines and other types of headaches.
Is acupuncture good for migraines and other headaches?
Yes! Studies show acupuncture really works for migraines. In the short-term, acupuncture can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. In the long term regular ongoing acupuncture sessions can be at least as effective as drug therapy in preventing future occurrence of headaches.
Over the years, I have treated hundreds of patients with various types of headaches successfully including: Migraine with or without aura, chronic migraine, menstrual migraine, sinus headache, tension headache, cluster headache, and ice pick headache.
Additionally, acupuncture can treat associated headache symptoms such as muscle tension, nasal congestion, pain/pressure in the ears, stress/anxiety/depression, sleep disruption, nausea and vomiting, PMS/hormone fluctuations, and hypertension.
Where are acupuncture needles placed for migraines and headaches?
According to Chinese medicine theory, acupuncture points are mostly located on body lines called meridians. There are 12 primary acupuncture meridians that flow from the hands and feet to the head, chest, abdomen, and back. In general, any sort of body pain is the result of blockage in the flow of qi and blood though a meridian (usually due to pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, dampness, dryness, and heat).
There are six meridians that flow onto the head: Urinary Bladder, Small Intestine, Stomach, Large Intestine, Gallbladder and Triple Warmer meridians. Small Intestine, Large Intestine, and Triple Warmer meridians flow between the head and hands, while Urinary Bladder, Stomach and Gallbladder meridians flow between the head and feet. Each meridian affects a particular area of the head and neck and are thus selected for needling according to where the headache is manifesting.
Therefore, for treatment of migraine and other types of headaches, acupuncture needles are placed at acupuncture points on the meridian of the head that governs the area manifesting pain. In addition, acupuncture points on the hands or feet that are on the opposite end of the affected meridian, are usually selected for needling also. For additional support, other needles may be placed in the ears or on the neck or back according to individual considerations.
What does Chinese medicine say about migraines and headaches?
Chinese medicine differentiates headaches by first identifying which acupuncture meridian of the head is most affected.
Taiyang meridians (Urinary Bladder and Small Intestine meridians) traverse the upper back, neck, cervical spine, base of skull, and back of head. Taiyang headaches are often associated with stiffness and pain in the upper back/neck/base of skull. Taiyang level is ruled by cold qi, so these types of headaches can often be triggered by exposure to cold temperatures.
Yangming meridians (Stomach and Large Intestine) traverse the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses, area below the eyes, cheek bones, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and jaw. Yangming headaches are often associated with pain and pressure in the sinuses, pain below the eyes, and pain affecting the jaw. Yangming is ruled by dryness qi. When fluids dry out, yin water loses its ability to contain yang fire, Thus, as in nature, excessive dryness sets conditions for fire to ignite and flare upward into the yangming meridians on the face.
Shaoyang meridians (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer) traverse the apex of the trapezius, base of skull, side of the head including around the ears and temples, and onto the forehead. Clinically the shaoyang meridians are most often affected in cases of classic migraine headache presentation. Shaoyang headaches can also manifest as pain/pressure in the ears and eyes and are often characterized by pain that is one sided. Shaoyang is ruled by ministerial fire qi. When the shaoyang meridians are obstructed, ministerial fire cannot circulate via the Triple Warmer. Thus, stagnant ministerial fire flares, leading to severe pain affecting the shaoyang meridians on the head.
Can Chinese herbs help with migraines?
Chinese herbal medicine is an effective complementary therapy in the treatment of headaches that can be used concurrently with acupuncture or can be employed successfully as a stand-alone treatment option.
Some examples of herbal formulas commonly prescribed for treatment of headaches include:
Taiyang headache: Exemplary formulas include Gui Zhi Tang, Ma Huang Tang, Ge Gen Tang, and Gui Zhi Jia Ge Gen Tang.
Yangming headache: Herbs such as Ge Gen and Huang Lian descend and reduce fire and moisten dryness. An exemplary formula is Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang.
Shaoyang headache: Exemplary shao yang headache formulas are Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang, and Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang.
How often should you get acupuncture for migraines?
In the acute phase of recurring headaches, I recommend treatments minimally once per week. Once the condition has stabilized and the frequency and severity of occurrence are reduced, maintaining regular acupuncture treatments 1-2 times per month can be sufficient to prevent headaches from reoccurring over the long term.
How long do acupuncture and herbs take to work for migraines?
The short answer is, it depends. A course of treatment can be a few days, a few weeks, or a few months depending on the severity and chronicity of one’s condition. Treatment outcomes also depend on how frequently one receives treatment and whether they are using other therapeutic methods such as acupuncture and herbal medicine together, or just a single method.
If you would like to know more about how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help your specific case, I offer a FREE 15 minute phone consultation to discuss your health situation and treatment options.
I look forward to the opportunity to share the headache relieving benefits of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with you soon!
Sincerely,
Joe Recsnik L.Ac, DCCM
Licensed Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, lead herbal pharmacist,
& Founder of POPULUSS Classical Eastern Healing
Proudly serving the nearby communities of Venice, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, Palms, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Westchester. LAX and Greater Los Angeles
Acupuncture migraine near me :: Chinese herbs for migraines