Classical Acupuncture Treatment of Migraines Like all conditions in Chinese Medicine, the treatment of migraine headaches is always custom tailored to the specific signs and symptoms that are manifesting in the presenting patient. For example, there could be ten patients that walk into the clinic on a given day, each suffering from migraines, and the acupuncturist could give ten different treatments to address them. Chinese Medicine is not a one size fits all approach. Chinese Medicine treats the individual. One of the great strengths of this medicine in general, and in the treatment of migraines, is the ability to uncover and treat the root cause of the problem, as opposed to merely offering symptomatic relief. This is not to say that acupuncture cannot treat an acute migraine attack, as it is also very effective in acute situations requiring immediate symptomatic relief. However, migraines almost always point to some deeper layer of disharmony in the body-mind, and until these deeper layers are addressed, any relief will only be temporary.

From a Chinese Medical perspective, most migraine headaches are associated with an imbalance in the energetics of the liver. The liver is arguably the organ and meridian system which is most affected by stress and emotional disharmony. The liver is said to control the free flow of qi throughout the body, and by extension, the free flow of emotions. When someone is under emotional strain and stress, especially in cases of anger and irritability, there is a tendency for liver qi to stagnate, which further agitates the mind. If the qi stagnation is left unchecked, there is a tendency for the stagnation to start to generate heat or fire in the body, what might be though of as inflammation from a western perspective. The nature of heat is to rise, and when this happens, migraines can be the result as the heat rises along the liver meridian and possibly also the paired meridian of the gallbladder and gets stuck in the head. The liver meridian travels to the eyes and the vertex of the head, and the gallbladder meridian travels to the temples and the sides of the head, areas which are commonly affected by migraines.

When the liver is in a state of excess, it can also rebel horizontally to affect the stomach, which accounts for the nausea and vomiting that some people experience with migraines. Likewise, it can affect the spleen, which is an important component in the development of blood in Chinese Medicine. If the spleen is weakened due to an overactive liver or various other reasons, the body’s ability to produce blood will be compromised, which can lead to a state of blood deficiency. The brain requires sufficient blood to nourish all the channels and vessels that it houses, and if blood becomes deficient, this can also be a cause of migraines. In a state of weakness, the spleen will also not be able to perform its functions of transforming and transporting the food and fluids that are broken down by the stomach. With the failure of the spleen to transform and transport fluids, dampness can accumulate in the body. The heat from the liver can then carry the dampness upwards towards the head and cause migraines, often manifesting with a dull throbbing sensation.

In addition to qi stagnation and emotional disharmony, migraines can also arise from an underlying deficiency in the liver or kidneys. If the liver blood, liver yin, or kidney yin are deficient, they will fail to ground and stabilize the liver qi and yang, which once again will flare upwards to the head and manifest with migraines. As you can see, there are quite a wide variety of differential diagnoses involved with the characterization of migraines, often involving a complex web of both excess and deficiency of energy and humors in the body. All these various types of migraines will have different subjective symptoms, as well as objective signs, which allows the acupuncturist to uncover the root problem and treat accordingly, bringing a state of harmony and balance back to the body-mind.    

A discussion of migraines would not be complete without mentioning the lifestyle factors that can contribute to this condition. Many things can trigger or encourage migraines in susceptible individuals, and it is important for patients to bring awareness to these possibilities to learn their own particular triggers. The food additive MSG, alcohol (especially red wine), preserved meats with nitrates and nitrites, as well as tyramine-containing foods such as aged cheese, can all contribute to migraines. In addition to these foods, based on the theories of Chinese Medical dietary therapy, chocolate, coffee, and spicy or greasy foods are also often contraindicated in the case of migraines. Dietary changes, when necessary, play an important role in a well rounded approach to migraine treatment. In addition to dietary factors, computer screens, fluorescent or glaring lights, stress and anxiety, excessive or not enough sleep, hormonal changes, and environmental factors can also exacerbate and provoke migraines.

Treating migraines with Classical Acupuncture can offer great relief to even very severe cases of migraine headaches. A multi-pronged approach is devised for each patient to help to re-establish health and harmony, and the patient can be pleased in knowing that they are addressing a fundamental balance of health in their body-mind, while releasing the pain and suffering of the headache itself.

 To your good health and happiness,