Headaches are one of the most common types of pain felt in the head. A headache may be a primary problem or a symptom of a more serious malady. Most headaches develop slowly, are temporary, are unrelated to any other health problems, and leave no aftereffects. Common causes of headache are "stress", "tiredness", "fever accompanying an infection", "excess of close work involving the eyes", "high blood pressure"," sinus infection", "temporomandibular joint (jaw joint) dysfunction"etc. Headaches may also signal a serious condition, such as an aneurysm (balloon like swelling of an artery wall due to damage), or a brain tumor.

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TCM can lower the severity of headache, but can not cure all headaches completely.

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Syndrome (a)
Headache due to invasion of pathogenic wind-cold

A headache due to the invasion of the body by pathogenic (disease causing) wind-cold occurs especially after exposure to wind. The pain may be extended to the nape of the neck and the back regions. A person with this kind of headache may have a thin, white tongue coating, and a slow pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine helps dispel wind-cold and relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Chuanxiong mixture Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuan Xiong)15g, schizonepeta (Jingjie)15g, dahurian angelica root (Bai Zhi)8g, notopterygium root (Qiang Huo)8g, licorice root (Gan Cao)6g, wild ginger (Xi Xin)2g, ledebouriella root (Fang Feng)10g, peppermint (Bo He Yie)8g.

Simple Prescription: Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuan Xiong)15g, chastetree fruit (Man Jing Zi)10g ( concentrated herbal granule). Dissolve them in hot water and drink before sleeping.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture and moxibustion can help dispel wind-cold and relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Baihui (Du 20), Taiyang (Extra 1), Hegu (LI 4). Fengchi (G 20), Fengfu (Du 16), Supplementary points should be selected according to the channel and collateral in which the pain is located. For frontal headache, Yintang (Extra 2), Shangxing (Du 23) and Neiting (S 44); for parietal headache, Houxi (SI 3), Taichong (Liv 3) and Zhiyin (B 67); for occipital headache, Fengchi (G 20) and Kunlun (B 60).

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Syndrome (b)
Headache due to invasion of pathogenic wind-heat

A headache due to invasion of pathogenic wind-heat may cause a high fever, a slight aversion to cold, a sore throat with congestion or thirst. It would make the tongue go slightly red with a thin, yellow fur, and the pulse beat faster.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can help dispel wind-heat and relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction of chuanxiong, dahurian angelica and gypsum. Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuan Xiong)10g, dahurian angelica root (Bai Zhi)10g, gypsum (Shi Gao)30g, notopterygium root (Qiang Huo)10g,chrysanthemum flower (Ju Hua)10g, lingusticum root (Gao Ben)10g.

Simple Prescription: Chrysanthemum(Ju Hua)15g, dahurian angelica root (Bai Zhi)15g ( concentrated herbal granule). Dissolve them in hot water and drink before sleep.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncute or moxibustion can help dispel wind-heat and relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Baihui (Du 20), Taiyang (Extra 1), Hegu (LI 4). Fengchi (G 20), Dazhui(Du 14), Quchi(LI 11), Supplementary points should be selected according to the channel and collateral in which the pain is located.

  

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Syndrome (c)
Headache due to invasion of pathogenic wind-dampness

A headache due to the invasion of pathogenic wind-dampness would cause a heavy sensation of pain in the body and nausea. The tongue would go whitish with a greasy fur and the pulse feeble.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can help dispel wind-dampness and relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction of notopterygium for rheumatism. Notopterygium root (Qiang Huo)6g, pubescent angelica root (Du Huo)6g, ligusticum root (Gao Ben)3g, ledebouriella root (Fang Feng)3g, prepared licorice root (Gan Cao)3g, chuanxiong rhizome (Chuan Xiong)3g, chastetree fruit (Man Jing Zi)2g.

Simple Prescription: Notopterygium (Qiang Huo)15g, dahurian angelica root (Bai Zhi)15g ( concentrated herbal granule). Dissolve them in hot water and drink before sleep.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion can help dispel wind-dampness and relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Baihui (Du 20), Taiyang (Extra 1), Hegu (LI 4). Fengchi (G 20), Fenglong(S 40), Yenlingqian(Sp 9), Zusanli(S 36). Supplementary points should be selected according to the channel and collateral in which the pain is located.

  

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Syndrome (d)
Headache due to upsurge of liver-yang

A headache caused by an upsurge of liver-yang may cause irritability, hot temper, dizziness and blurred vision. The tongue may go red with a thin and yellow coating, while the pulse is taut and rapid.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can help calm the liver to stop the pain

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction of gastrodia and uncaria. Gastrodia tuber (Tian Ma)9g, uncaria stem with hooks (Gou Teng)12g, abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming)(decocted first) 18g, capejasmine fruit (Shan Zhi)9g, scutellaria root (Huang Qin)9g, achyranthes root (Niu Xi)12g, bark of eucommia (Du Zhong)9g, motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)9g, loranthus mulberry mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng)9g, fleece-flower stem (Yie Jiao Teng)9g, poria with hostwood (Fu Shen).

Simple Prescription: Prunella spike (Xia Ku Cao) 30g (concentrated herbal granule). Dissolve them in hot water and drink before sleeping.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion can help calm the liver to stop the pain.

Prescription/Formula: Baihui (Du 20), Hegu (LI 4), Fengchi (G 20), Xiaxi (G 43), and Xingjian (Liv 2).

  

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Syndrome (e)
Headache due to phlegm-dampness

A headache due to phlegm-dampness may induce dizziness, nausea or vomiting. The tongue would go whitish with a greasy fur while the pulse goes taut and slippery.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine dries dampness to resolve phlegm, which, in turn, calms the pain.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction of pinellia, bighead atractylodes and gastrodia. Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia)9g, gastrodia tuber (Tian Ma)6g, poria (Fu Ling)6g, tangerine peel (Ju Hong)6g, bighead atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu)15g, licorice root (Gan Cao)4g, fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang)1 pc, Chinese-dates (Da Zao)2 pcs.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion dries dampness to resolve phlegm, which, in turn, calms the pain.

Prescription/Formula: Hegu (LI 4), Fengchi (G 20), Zhongwan (Ren12), Fenglong (S 40).

  

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Syndrome (f)
Headache due to blood-stasis

A headache due to blood-stasis is usually long-standing. The tongue usually goes a deep-red while the lips are dark purple. The pulse may be uneven.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine promotes blood circulation to remove blood stasis, which in turn relieves pain.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for clearing away obstruction from upper orifices and activating blood circulation. Peach kernel (Tao Ren)10g, safflower (Hong Hua)10g, red peony root (Cho Shao) 10g, chuanxiong rhizome (Chuan Xiong)10g, fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang)1 pc, Chinese-dates (Da Zao)2 pcs, wine (Jiu) 10ml.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture and moxibustion promotes blood circulation to remove blood stasis from the channel, which in turn relieves pain.

Prescription/Formula: Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao(Sp 6), Xuehai(Sp 10), Geshu(B 17).

  

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Syndrome (g)
Headache due to deficiency of both qi and blood

A headache from a deficiency in blood and qi may also cause dizziness, blurred vision, lassitude, and a lustreless face. The tongue would acquire a white, thin coating, while the pulse is thin and weak.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine helps replenish qi and tonify the blood to relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction of four ingredients plus others. Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui)10g, chuanxiong rhizome(Chuan Xiong)10g, white peony root (Bai Shao)10g, prepared rhizome of rehannia (Shou Di)12g, chastetree fruit (Man Jing Zi)10g, chrysanthemum (Ju Hua)10g, scutellaria root (Huang Qin)10g, prepared licorice root (Gan Cao)6g.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion helps replentish qi and tonify the blood to relieve pain.

Prescription/Formula: Qihai (ren 6), Zusanli (S 36), Pishu (B 20) and Shenshu (B 23), Ganshu(B 18), Sanyenjiao(Sp 6).

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on the Nervous System, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help

• Static Qigong:
  Relaxation Qigong
  Inner-Nourishing Qigong
  Standing Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Baduanjing of Internal Exercise
  
• Specific Dynamic Qigong:
  Head and Face Qigong

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.
This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(b) Medicated diet
1. Headache due to invasion of pathogenic wind-cold
Put Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong) 9g, 2 eggs, and 5 scallion stalks into water to cook. When the eggs are done, take them out and shell them, then put them back into the pot to boil for ten more minutes. Eat the eggs and drink the soup, once a day, continuously for several days.

2. Headache due to invasion of pathogenic wind-heat
Chrysamthemum Flower (Juhua) 10g, some Ice Sugar (bingtang)
Put Chrysanthemum Flower into a cup, add boiling water and Ice Sugar to it and stir, cover the cup with a lid for ten minutes. Drink it anytime.

3. Headache due to upsurge of liver-yang
Prunellae Spica (Xiakucao) 24g, lean pork 50g
Put them together to cook and get the soup. Drink the soup once a day for several days.

4. Headache due to blood-stasis
   Five Walnut Seeds (Hetaoren), white sugar 50g, yellow wine 50ml.
Grind the walnut seeds and white sugar into powder, then put it into the pot, add some yellow wine, and cook it with gentle fire for ten minutes. Take it twice a day for several days.

(c) Life style
1) Strike a proper balance between work and rest.
2) Remain a cheerful frame of mind, and avoid mental provocation.
3) Don't have any beverage with caffeine or alcohol.
4) Take less ham or chocolate.
5) Have more fish and ginger.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.