Headaches, Migraines and Acupuncture: How Traditional Chinese Medicine May Help
Updated: Sep 29
Headaches and migraines can affect much more than your head. Persistent pressure, throbbing, tightness or pain can interfere with concentration, sleep, work and your overall sense of wellbeing.
For people living with frequent tension-type headaches or migraines, acupuncture may be one complementary option to explore alongside appropriate medical care.
At Prodigious Hands, we take a personalised Traditional Chinese Medicine approach, looking not only at where the pain is felt but also at factors such as muscular tension, stress, sleep, digestion, menstrual health and your overall wellbeing.
What Is a Tension-Type Headache?
Tension-type headaches are very common.
They are often described as a feeling of pressure or tightness around the head, almost as though a band is wrapped around it.
Symptoms may include:
Pain on both sides of the head
Pressure or tightness around the forehead
Tenderness around the scalp
Neck and shoulder tension
Aching around the face or temples
Headaches lasting from around 30 minutes to several days
Unlike migraine, everyday physical activity does not usually make a tension-type headache significantly worse.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine is more than an ordinary headache.
It can cause moderate to severe pain, often described as throbbing or pulsating, and may affect one side or both sides of the head.
Some people may also experience:
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to sound
Dizziness
Visual disturbances
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Some people experience an aura before or during a migraine, which can include changes in vision, tingling or difficulty speaking.
Migraines can vary considerably from person to person, which is one reason why an individual assessment is important.
What Can Trigger Headaches and Migraines?
There is not always one clear cause.
Possible triggers or contributing factors can include:
Stress
Poor or disrupted sleep
Muscular tension
Dehydration
Skipping meals
Caffeine
Alcohol
Prolonged screen use
Hormonal changes
Changes in routine
Certain foods for some individuals
Taking painkillers too frequently can also contribute to medication-overuse headaches.
Keeping a headache or migraine diary may help identify patterns, including when symptoms occur, what was happening beforehand and how long the episode lasted.
Headaches and Migraines From a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), headaches and migraines are not all treated in the same way.
Rather than considering the headache as an isolated problem, the practitioner looks at the location, timing, nature of the pain and accompanying symptoms to identify the person's individual TCM pattern.
From a TCM perspective, headaches may be associated with disturbances in the movement or nourishment of Qi and Blood, as well as traditional patterns involving Heat, Dampness, Phlegm, Wind or deficiency.
These are traditional Chinese medicine concepts and are not the same as Western medical diagnoses.
Migraine From a TCM Perspective
Migraine symptoms can present very differently between individuals.
One person may experience a strong throbbing headache around the temples, while another may experience heaviness, nausea and fogginess. Someone else may notice migraines that appear around menstruation or during periods of stress.
For this reason, TCM treatment is based on the individual pattern rather than simply the diagnosis of migraine.
Some commonly recognised TCM patterns include:
1. Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire
Within TCM theory, the Liver is associated with maintaining the smooth movement of Qi.
When Yang is considered to rise excessively towards the head, symptoms may include:
Throbbing or pounding headaches
Pain around the temples or sides of the head
Dizziness
Irritability
Red or tired eyes
Tinnitus
Difficulty sleeping
Sensitivity to light or noise
This pattern may traditionally be associated with emotional tension, prolonged stress, overwork or underlying Yin deficiency.
The TCM treatment principle may involve calming Liver Yang, supporting Yin and encouraging the smooth movement of Qi.
Acupuncture points traditionally considered may include areas such as LI4, LR3, GB20 and Taiyang, depending on the individual's assessment.
Traditional herbal medicine may also be considered by a suitably qualified practitioner. Herbs such as Tian Ma, Gou Teng or Chai Hu appear in traditional formulas, but herbal prescriptions should always be personalised and should not be self-prescribed.
2. Blood Deficiency
Within TCM theory, Blood is considered important for nourishing the head and eyes.
When Blood is considered insufficient, a person may experience:
A dull or empty-feeling headache
Fatigue
Pale complexion
Dryness
Difficulty sleeping
Poor concentration or memory
Symptoms that become worse after exertion
Treatment traditionally aims to nourish Blood and support the body's overall energy.
Acupuncture points may be selected according to the person's wider presentation, sometimes including points such as SP6, ST36 and DU20.
Traditional Chinese herbal formulas may include herbs such as Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang or Bai Shao where clinically appropriate.
3. Kidney or Liver Yin Deficiency
In TCM, Yin is traditionally associated with cooling, nourishing and anchoring the body's Yang energy.
When Yin is considered insufficient, symptoms may include:
Dull or sometimes burning headaches
Symptoms that are more noticeable later in the day
Dry mouth or throat
Restlessness
Poor sleep
Night sweating
Dizziness
Treatment may focus on nourishing Kidney and Liver Yin and calming excessive Yang activity.
Acupuncture points might include KI3, SP6, LR3 or GB20, depending on the person's overall TCM diagnosis.
4. Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat
Some headaches are traditionally understood in TCM as being related to an external Wind pattern.
Wind-Cold may include:
Tight or stiff headache
Pain around the back of the head
Neck stiffness
Chills
Clear nasal discharge
Symptoms aggravated by cold
Wind-Heat may include:
More pronounced headache
Feeling hot or feverish
Sore throat
Thirst
Yellow nasal discharge
Traditional treatment focuses on dispersing Wind and restoring the normal movement of Qi.
Points such as LI4, GB20, DU16 and Taiyang may sometimes be considered depending on the pattern.
5. Dampness or Phlegm Obstruction
Within TCM theory, Dampness or Phlegm may create a feeling of heaviness or cloudiness.
A person may experience:
A heavy or foggy head
A band-like or oppressive sensation
Nausea
Poor appetite
Sluggish digestion
Fatigue
Symptoms that feel worse in damp or humid conditions
TCM treatment may aim to transform Dampness, support digestion and encourage the movement of Qi.
Points such as ST8, LI4, ST36 and SP9 may traditionally be considered depending on the person's presentation.
Why the Location of the Headache Matters in TCM
The location of the headache may provide additional clues when forming a TCM pattern.
Traditionally:
Temples and sides of the head may be associated with Liver and Gallbladder patterns.
Forehead may be associated with the Stomach or Yangming channels.
Top of the head may be associated with Liver or deficiency patterns.
Back of the head may be associated with Wind, Kidney deficiency or muscular tension.
However, the location alone is never enough to make a TCM diagnosis.
The practitioner will also consider the character of the pain, timing, accompanying symptoms and overall health.
Timing Can Also Be Important
A practitioner may ask whether headaches are worse:
In the morning
Later in the afternoon
In the evening
Around menstruation
After stressful periods
Following lack of sleep
After meals or when hungry
Within TCM, these patterns may help the practitioner understand whether symptoms appear to be related to deficiency, stagnation, Heat or other traditional patterns.
How May Acupuncture Help? Headaches, Migraines and Acupuncture: How Traditional Chinese Medicine May Help
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into carefully selected points on the body.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, acupuncture aims to encourage the smooth movement of Qi and Blood and address the individual's underlying pattern.
Treatment may therefore vary considerably from one person to another, even when both people have been medically diagnosed with migraine.
Modern research has also investigated whether acupuncture may influence the nervous system and the way pain signals are processed.
Acupuncture should be considered part of a wider headache-management plan rather than a guaranteed cure.
Acupuncture, Gua Sha and Cupping
Where appropriate, acupuncture may be combined with other Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha uses a smooth-edged tool that is gently moved over lubricated skin.
It may be used around areas such as the neck, shoulders and upper back when muscular tightness forms part of the person's presentation.
Cupping
Cupping therapy uses suction cups placed on selected areas of the body.
It may be incorporated when muscular tension in the shoulders, upper back or neck accompanies headaches.
These therapies may support relaxation and muscular comfort but should not be presented as treatments for an underlying neurological condition.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine may also be considered following a full TCM consultation.
The herbal formula chosen depends on the individual's pattern rather than simply being prescribed because somebody experiences headaches or migraines.
Herbs should not be self-prescribed.
Always tell your practitioner about:
Prescription medication
Over-the-counter medicines
Supplements
Allergies
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Liver or kidney conditions
Other significant medical conditions
Some herbs can interact with medicines, so appropriate professional assessment is important.
Stress, Relaxation and Headaches
Stress can be a trigger for some people with headaches or migraines.
This does not mean the pain is imaginary or “all in your head.”
Headaches and migraines are genuine physical conditions.
However, stress can sometimes occur alongside increased tension around the shoulders, neck, jaw and scalp.
Many people find acupuncture appointments calming, making relaxation and overall wellbeing another reason they choose to include acupuncture in their care.
Gentle Self-Care
Alongside professional treatment, simple lifestyle measures may help you understand and manage your own headache pattern.
Consider:
Drinking enough water
Eating regular meals
Maintaining a consistent sleep routine
Taking breaks from prolonged screen use
Gently stretching the neck and shoulders
Paying attention to posture
Exercising appropriately
Managing stress where possible
Keeping a headache or migraine diary
A diary can be particularly useful for recognising whether headaches appear around certain foods, menstruation, sleep disruption, stress or changes in routine.
Headaches Should Not Simply Be Ignored
Occasional headaches are common, but frequent, persistent, severe or changing headaches deserve appropriate assessment.
Speak to your GP if:
You regularly experience headaches or migraines
Your symptoms are becoming more frequent or severe
Your usual treatment is no longer helping
Your headache pattern suddenly changes
You are concerned about your symptoms
Seek urgent medical attention for a headache that is suddenly extremely severe or is accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, numbness, loss of vision, confusion, difficulty speaking, seizures, a very high temperature or a stiff neck.
A Personalised Approach at Prodigious Hands
At Prodigious Hands, every acupuncture treatment begins with a comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine consultation.
We take time to understand:
Where your headaches occur
How the pain feels
How frequently symptoms appear
Your migraine triggers
Neck and shoulder tension
Sleep
Stress
Digestion
Menstrual health where relevant
Your general wellbeing
This allows us to develop a treatment approach based on your individual TCM pattern, rather than treating every headache or migraine in exactly the same way.
Depending on your assessment, treatment may include:
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine where appropriate
Lifestyle and self-care guidance
Our aim is to provide a calm and supportive environment where you feel listened to and cared for while exploring a personalised approach to your wellbeing.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Headaches, Migraines and Acupuncture: How Traditional Chinese Medicine May Help.
If headaches, migraines or muscular tension are affecting your everyday life, you don't have to simply keep pushing through the discomfort.
170 Swinton Park RoadSalford, M6 7PA
Telephone: 07767018021
Email: prodigioushands@hotmail.com
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and educational purposes only.
Traditional Chinese Medicine descriptions such as Liver Yang Rising, Blood Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Wind, Dampness and Phlegm are traditional diagnostic concepts and should not be interpreted as Western medical diagnoses.
Acupuncture, Gua Sha, cupping and Chinese herbal medicine are complementary approaches and should not replace appropriate medical assessment or emergency care.
If you experience a new, severe, persistent or unusual headache, seek appropriate medical advice.
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