What Causes Headaches According to TCM?
Headaches are a common health concern that can significantly impact daily life. While conventional treatments often address the symptoms, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach by focusing on the underlying imbalances that cause headaches.
This article explores what causes headaches according to TCM and how its treatments aim to tackle the root of the issue for long-lasting relief.
How TCM Views Headaches
In TCM, headaches are not considered isolated conditions but symptoms of deeper bodily imbalances. The body functions as an interconnected system where Qi (vital energy), blood flow, and organ functions must remain in harmony for good health. When these elements fall out of balance, headaches become a sign of disharmony.
Common Causes of Headaches in TCM
According to TCM, headaches stem from various imbalances, including:
1. Qi Stagnation
Qi, the body's vital energy, must flow smoothly for optimal health. Emotional stress, anxiety, or unresolved frustrations can cause Qi to stagnate, leading to tension headaches that feel like a tight band pressing around the head.
2. Blood Deficiency
When there is insufficient blood to nourish the brain, headaches may occur. Blood deficiency is often accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, and a pale complexion, and it is commonly seen in individuals with poor nutrition or who are recovering from illness.
3. Wind Invasion
External factors like wind, cold, or heat can disturb the body’s balance, leading to headaches. This type, known as “Wind Invasion,” is often accompanied by chills, fever, or a stiff neck.
4. Liver Yang Rising
Chronic stress, anger, or poor diet can cause an imbalance in the liver, leading to Liver Yang Rising. This results in throbbing, pulsating headaches, often accompanied by irritability, dizziness, or recurrent migraines.
5. Dampness and Phlegm Accumulation
Poor digestion or excessive dampness in the body can obstruct energy flow, causing dull, persistent headaches and a heavy sensation in the head.
By identifying these underlying causes, TCM practitioners develop personalised treatments to address headaches at their roots.
Different Types of Headaches Based on Location and Their TCM Treatments
In TCM, the location of a headache provides valuable insight into its underlying cause. By identifying where the pain occurs, practitioners can determine the specific organ imbalances and apply targeted treatments to restore balance.
1. Taiyang (Occipital) Headaches
Location: Back of the head and neck
Causes: Often caused by external factors like cold or wind invasion, leading to tension and stiffness in the upper back and shoulders.
TCM Treatment:
Apply warming therapies, such as moxibustion or hot compresses, to dispel cold.
Acupuncture on the Bladder and Du meridians to release tension.
Herbs like Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fang Feng (Siler Root) to expel wind-cold.
2. Yangming (Frontal) Headaches
Location: Forehead, above the eyebrows
Causes: Often linked to poor digestion, excessive consumption of greasy or spicy foods, or an overactive stomach.
TCM Treatment:
Avoid excessive sugar, oily, and processed foods.
Use acupuncture points along the Stomach meridian to regulate digestion.
Herbal formulas with Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) and Huang Lian (Coptis) to clear stomach heat.
3. Shaoyang (Temporal) Headaches
Location: Sides of the head, temples
Causes: Often due to stress, emotional strain, or Liver Qi stagnation, which can lead to Liver Yang Rising and throbbing pain.
TCM Treatment:
Acupuncture on the Gallbladder meridian to relieve stagnation.
Herbs like Chai Hu (Bupleurum) to soothe the Liver and move Qi.
Mindfulness techniques such as Qi Gong to reduce stress and balance emotions.
4. Shaoyin (Deep, Internal) Headaches
Location: Deep pain inside the head
Causes: Often linked to Kidney Yin or Yang deficiency, leading to a lack of nourishment for the brain. Common in individuals with chronic fatigue or overwork.
TCM Treatment:
Strengthen the Kidneys with acupuncture and herbal tonics like Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) and Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry).
Prioritise restorative sleep and reduce excessive mental exertion.
Consume nourishing foods such as black sesame, walnuts, and bone broth.
5. Jueyin (Vertex) Headaches
Location: Top of the head (crown)
Causes: Often due to Blood deficiency or internal Liver wind, causing dizziness and discomfort.
TCM Treatment:
Acupuncture on the Liver and Pericardium meridians to regulate energy flow.
Herbal remedies like Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) to nourish blood.
Gentle exercise and breathing techniques to promote circulation.
Additional TCM Methods for Headache Relief
Acupuncture
Acupuncture stimulates specific meridian points to regulate Qi flow and reduce pain. By targeting energy pathways connected to the head, acupuncture helps relieve headaches and restore balance.
Herbal Medicine
TCM uses herbal formulas like Chuan Xiong (Szechuan lovage root) to improve circulation and Chrysanthemum flowers to alleviate liver-related headaches.
Dietary Adjustments
A balanced diet helps prevent headaches. TCM recommends foods that promote Qi flow and reduce dampness, such as ginger, leafy greens, and warming soups while avoiding greasy and cold foods.
Lifestyle Changes
Practices like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and meditation enhance energy circulation, relieve stress, and prevent headaches, promoting overall well-being.
How Common TCM Can Help You Manage Headaches
At Common TCM, we specialise in helping individuals find relief from headaches through personalised Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments. Our experienced practitioners use proven techniques, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary guidance, to address the underlying imbalances causing headaches.
If you have persistent headaches, Common TCM can help you achieve lasting relief by focusing on the root of the problem. Book a consultation with us today to take the first step towards a healthier, headache-free life.
