Headaches and Migraines: A TCM Approach to Real Relief

If you've ever had a pounding headache that stops you in your tracks or a migraine that keeps you in a dark room for hours, you know how debilitating head pain can be. Headaches and migraines affect millions of people, and while over-the-counter or prescription medications can help, they often only offer temporary relief.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), headaches and migraines are not just isolated symptoms. They’re signs of an internal imbalance. That’s why acupuncture and herbal medicine are so effective: they aim to treat both the pain and the root cause behind it.

What Causes Headaches and Migraines in TCM?

In TCM, pain is almost always a sign that Qi (energy) and Blood aren’t flowing smoothly. When this happens in the head, the result is headache.

But not all headaches are created equal. The type, location, and triggers of your headaches help determine the underlying pattern. Here are the most common TCM diagnoses:

1. Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire

• Headache Location: temples, behind the eyes, or top of the head

• Symptoms: pounding pain, dizziness, red face, irritability, eye pressure, tight shoulders

• Triggers: stress, anger, hormonal changes, alcohol

  
  

This pattern is common in people with migraines, especially if they have a hot, throbbing quality or come with visual disturbances.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation

• Headache Location: variable or behind the eyes

• Symptoms: tension-type headaches, emotional stress, PMS, sighing, mood swings

• Triggers: emotional stress, hormonal shifts

  
  

Qi stagnation can cause migraines or daily tension headaches that worsen with frustration or stress.

3. Blood Deficiency

• Headache Location: dull, all over or behind the eyes

• Symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, light periods

• Triggers: overwork, lack of sleep, heavy periods, postpartum

  
  

The brain isn’t getting nourished by enough Blood, leading to a dull, nagging ache.

4. Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat Invasion

• Headache Location: back of the head and neck

• Symptoms: sudden onset, chills or fever, nasal congestion

• Triggers: exposure to wind, cold, or sudden weather changes

  
  

This is the TCM version of a headache caused by a cold or flu. It’s acute, and treatment focuses on “releasing the exterior.”

5. Dampness or Phlegm Accumulation

• Headache Location: heavy, foggy, whole-head sensation

• Symptoms: nausea, fatigue, cloudy thinking, sinus pressure

• Triggers: damp weather, sugar, dairy, poor digestion

  
  

Often seen in migraines with nausea or sinus-related headaches.

How Acupuncture Helps Headaches and Migraines

Acupuncture is clinically proven to reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of headaches and migraines. Here’s how it works:

• Relieves muscle tension in the neck, jaw, shoulders, and scalp

• Regulates the nervous system, calming overactivity and reducing stress hormones

• Promotes circulation of Qi and Blood to the head

• Balances hormones, especially in menstrual migraines

• Reduces inflammation and pain sensitivity in the brain

  
  

Each treatment is customized to your headache type and constitution. We may also use electroacupuncture or auricular (ear) acupuncture to enhance results.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Headaches

Herbs are chosen based on the root pattern causing your headaches. Some commonly used formulas include:

• Chai Hu Shu Gan San – for stress-induced, Liver Qi stagnation-type headaches

• Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin – for dizziness, hypertension, and Liver Yang rising

• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang – for chronic, sharp headaches due to Blood Stagnation

• Gui Zhi Tang – for Wind-Cold induced headaches with body aches

• Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang – for sinus headaches and migraines with nasal congestion

  
  

We’ll tailor your formula based on your whole-body picture, not just the head pain.

Lifestyle Tips from a TCM Perspective

Manage stress: Emotional tension is a major trigger for many types of headaches. Breathwork, acupuncture, and journaling can help regulate your emotions and smooth Liver Qi.

Eat warm, balanced meals: Avoid skipping meals or eating cold/raw foods, which weaken the Spleen and create Dampness.

Stay hydrated, but avoid iced drinks that can cause constriction.

Try acupressure:

• LI4 (Hegu) – between thumb and index finger

• Taiyang – temple region

• GB20 (Fengchi) – base of the skull

• Press these points gently during a headache for relief.

Sleep consistently: Both too little and too much sleep can trigger headaches. Aim for regular, restful sleep.

Whether you have daily tension headaches, hormonal migraines, or sinus pressure with every weather shift, TCM offers a gentle, effective, and holistic approach to healing.

We don’t just mask the symptoms—we work to balance your whole system so your body can stop generating the headache patterns in the first place.

Ready to clear your head and live pain-free?

Book your acupuncture session today → Here