Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Headache

In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a saying: "Without proper flow, there will be pain; with proper flow, there will be no pain." 

When the meridians in the head are blocked and the flow of qi and blood is impeded, it will cause headaches.

Headaches are further divided into "external headaches" and "internal imbalance headaches." External headaches are caused by changes in weather and invasion of wind-cold, leading to colds, fevers and headaches. Such pains come on suddenly and strongly but last for a short period of time, often accompanied by coughing, fever and general body aches. "Internal imbalance headaches" are often related to dysfunction of the organs. The head is where all the Yang meridians converge. Qi and blood from the organs converge in the head area. Therefore, "internal imbalance headaches" also reflect illnesses in the whole body.

Causes of internal imbalance headaches:

1.   Liver Qi stagnation: Due to long-term stress, mood swings.

2.   Phlegm-damp obstruction: Due to liking cold foods and drinks, causing spleen-stomach dysfunction.

3.   Qi and blood deficiency: Due to spleen-stomach dysfunction leading to insufficient physio-chemical supply and poor circulation.

4.   Blood stasis and blocked collaterals: Stagnant blood blocks the meridians, causing pain when not flowing properly.

   
   

Most clients I see are busy and work-stressed, often feeling chest tightness and headache. The "Liver" is responsible for regulating the flow of qi, blood and body fluids in the body. Sitting for long hours with little exercise leads to poor metabolism, plus work stress and brooding emotions will affect the flow of "Liver qi" in the body, resulting in "Liver qi stagnation." Relieving liver and resolving depression with herbs such as Citrus aurantium, Paeonia lactiflora, Bupleurum and Angelica sinensis helps.

It's also common to see headaches caused by phlegm-damp due to liking icy foods, manifesting as headaches with stomach bloating and nausea. The spleen-stomach prefers a warm environment of 37.5-38°C. Icy foods dampen the energy of the organs, impairing the "Spleen's" role in metabolizing fluids. This leads to failure in expelling wastes and toxins from the body, forming "phlegm-damp." Phlegm-damp flows with the blood throughout the body and causes tightness and pain when it reaches the head. Herbs like Kudzu vine, Aromatic madder, Atractylodes macrocephala, Cortex phellodendri and Poria help strengthen spleen function and resolve phlegm.

Women who are busy with work and chores often suffer from headaches accompanied by dizziness and whole-body weakness. The spleen-stomach is the source of physiological qi and blood in the body. Food is metabolized by the spleen-stomach to provide energy to the whole body. If spleen-stomach dysfunctions, all organs will lack sufficient qi and blood, causing dizziness or one-sided headaches. Strengthening the spleen and nourishing blood with herbs like Poria cocos, Polygala tenuifolia, Lotus seed and Astragalus membranaceus helps regulate spleen-stomach, metabolism and blood circulation in the head area.

Of the above three types, prolonged lack of proper flow can lead to blood stasis. Headaches are often stabbing pains in the same location, worsening in rainy weather or evenings, occasionally causing eye pain too. In women, menstrual problems often accompany severe pain. Activating blood and resolving stasis with herbs like Cnidium monnieri, Angelica sinensis, Chinese date, Prunus mume, and Ligusticum chuanxiong helps relieve pain by promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis.

In summary, traditional Chinese medicine classifies headaches into different types depending on their cause. This shows that each individual has their own condition. Using analgesics alone for long-term recurrent headaches is ineffective and the root cause remains unaddressed. Proper treatment based on pattern differentiation is important.