Migraines occur due to dysfunctions of the nerves and blood vessels, which manifest as recurrent one-sided headaches with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and misophonia. The disease is often hereditary but some patients develop symptoms after head or brain trauma. Brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin can also induce migraines. The disease is often found in young women.
According to TCM, migraines are a type of headache or recurrent headache that is related to vexation, tension, wind-fire, and phlegm-turbidity. Its mechanism often begins with emotional disturbances, which affect the liver’s ability to govern the free flow of qi. The resultant qi stagnation gradually transforms into fire, which moves along the liver channel to the head. Also, long-term vexation and anxiety can cause wind-fire to affect the head due to the ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang. Finally, sudden head pain can be caused by a phlegm-damp that blocks the shaoyang channels in the head.
Clinical manifestations of Migraine
- The disease is most common during puberty and in women. Heredity can also be a factor.
- The duration of each onset varies widely from four to 72 hours. The pain is single-sided and pulsatile, and is aggravated by activity. It can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and misophonia.
- Some patients may have mental symptoms such as depression, euphoria, restlessness or drowsiness, or digestive tract symptoms such as lack of appetite and thirst.
5 Acupuncture points for Migraine
The basic therapeutic principles are to course and regulate the shaoyang, unblock the collaterals, and relieve pain. Relevant acupoints are chosen based on the pathways of the channels.
1. GB 20 Acupoint (Fengchi)
Location: Below the occipital bone in the depression between the superior-lateral trapezius muscle and the superior-posterior sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Effect: Scatters wind, releases the exterior, clears and disinhibits the head and eyes, unblocks the collaterals, relieves pain.
2. GB 8 Acupoint (Shuaigu)
Location: On the head directly above the ear apex and TE 20, 1.5 cun above the hairline.
Effect: Dispels wind-heat, disinhibits the head and eyes.
3. GB 24 Acupoint (Riyue)
Location: Below the nipple in the seventh intercostal space.
Effect: Soothes the liver, promotes gallbladder function, rectifies qi, relieves pain.
4. GB 34 Acupoint (Yanglingquan)
Location: On the lateral side of the lower leg, in the depression anterior-inferior to the head of the fibula.
Effect: Soothes the liver, promotes gallbladder function, rectifies qi, relieves pain.
5. GB 44 Acupoint (Zuqiaoyin)
Location: On the lateral side of the end of the fourth toe, 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.
Effect: Calms the liver, directs counterflow downward, rectifies qi, relieve pain.
Moxibustion treatment methods
- Double-point mild moxibustion on GB 20. The patient should feel the heat penetrate deeply or expand over the lateral head or face. Located on the foot shaoyang gallbladder channel, GB 20 can scatter wind, release the exterior, clear and disinhibit the head and eyes, unblock the collaterals, and relieve pain.
- Double-point mild moxibustion on GB 8. The patient should feel the heat penetrate deeply into the skull, expand over the lateral head and face, or experience local tightness, pressure, soreness, distention or pain. Located on the foot shaoyang gallbladder channel, GB 8 can dispel wind-heat, and disinhibit the head and eyes.
- Double-point mild moxibustion on GB 24. The patient should feel the heat penetrate deeply into or expand over the chest. GB 24, the front-mu point of the gallbladder, can soothe the liver, promote gallbladder function, rectify qi and relieve pain.
- Double-point mild moxibustion on GB 34. In some patients, the heat transmission will reach the head. If it fails to do so, use relaying moxibustion with another moxa stick on the most proximal place the heat has reached to cause it to transmit to the head. Finally, administer mild moxibustion on bilateral GB 34 and the head until the heat-sensitive sensation disappears. GB 34, the he-sea point of the foot shaoyang gallbladder channel, can soothe the liver, promote gallbladder function, rectify qi and relieve pain.
- Double-point mild moxibustion on GB 44. In some patients, the heat transmission will reach the head. If it fails to do so, use relaying moxibustion with another burning moxa stick on the most proximal place the heat has reached to cause it to transmit to the head. Finally, administer mild moxibustion on bilateral GB 44 and the head until the heat-sensitive sensation disappears.GB 44, the jing-well point of the foot shaoyang gallbladder channel, can calm the liver, direct counterflow downward, rectify qi and relieve pain.
Treat once a day, choosing one or two groups of the above acupoints each time. Ten treatments make a treatment course. Give two or three courses total, with two to five days in between for rest.
Conclusion
Moxibustion can stimulate the channel qi and unblock the channels and collaterals to effectively treat migraines.
Patients should be advised to maintain balanced moods, keep a proper work-rest balance, get adequate physical exercise, avoid wind and cold, avoid excessive spicy food and alcohol, limit smoking, and keep the bowels open.
