Headache is pain that occurs in the greater occipital foramen and above the arch of the eyebrow. Ninety-five percent of patients with primary headache are treated with acupuncture. We will discuss the acupuncture treatment for this condition.
Part I. Classification according to Chinese medicine
1. Regardless of the symptoms, the A-Yi point is the point that must be selected for acupuncture treatment of headache.
2.According to the distribution of meridians and channels, acupuncture points are the characteristics of acupuncture treatment, and “the main treatment is based on the theory that the meridians and channels are passed by ”. Localized acupuncture points are the focus of acupuncture treatment for headache.
(1) Headache at the top: Baihui or Sishencong, Xingma, and Aye points
(2) Frontal headache: Shang Xing, Yin Tang, Yang Bai, San Ma, Ah Yes points
(3) temporal headache: rate valley, sun, manxi/zhongzhu, ayurvedic point
(4) Occipital headache: posterior parietal, tianzhu, houxi, shoubiao, aye-point
3.Taking acupuncture points can enhance the therapeutic effect
(1) Wind evil attacking the ligaments: add Fengchi, Hegu, Waiguan, etc.
(2) Hyperactivity of liver and yang: add Fengchi, Taichong, Taixi, etc.
(3) Qi and blood deficiency: add Qi Hai, Spleen Yu, Foot San Li, etc.
(4) Phlegm blockage: add Fenglong, Yinlingquan, etc.
(5) Blood stasis blockage: add Blood Sea, Hegu, Sanyinjiao, etc.
4.Appropriate acupuncture and moxibustion methods can enhance the therapeutic effect
(1) The headache with deficiency of qi and blood needs to be treated with tonic method, while the headache with wind and evil attacking the ligaments, hyperactivity of liver and yang, and stasis of blood blocking the ligaments are treated with diarrhea method. (2) Electric acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of headache of the type of Qi and blood deficiency, and the laxative method is used in the treatment of headache of the type of Qi and blood deficiency, and the laxative method is used in the treatment of headache of the type of Qi and blood deficiency, and the laxative method is used in the treatment of headache of the type of Qi and blood deficiency.
(2) Electroacupuncture is widely used in acupuncture treatment. Low frequency and weak stimulation are used for Qi-blood deficiency, while high frequency and tolerable strong stimulation can be used for all other types.
5.Auricular acupuncture
Acupuncture points: occipital, frontal, cerebral, Shen Men
Take 2 to 3 points each time. Retain the needle for 20-30 minutes and perform acupuncture every 10 minutes. For headaches of longer duration, blood can be released from the vein at the back of the ear.
Part II: Classification by disease
1.Migraine
(1) Treatment in the attack phase: Treatment in the prodromal or aura phase can stop the attack of migraine or reduce the degree of pain during the attack. You can take the acupuncture points of Baihui, Sun, Neiguan, Hegu and Taichong.
(2) During the headache phase, the attack can be stopped quickly by cupping after localized (sun acupuncture point and rate valley acupuncture point) percussion with plum blossom needles, or by giving strong stimulation with needles (refer to the previous section for acupuncture points).
(3) For other types of migraine, such as basal type migraine and hemiplegic type migraine, acupuncture can be used on the basis of treatment of typical migraine with reference to the acupuncture method for vertigo and stroke.
2.Tension-type headache
Since tension-type headache mainly manifests as bilateral occipital, neck or whole head tightness or pressure pain, accompanied by anxiety, depression, insomnia and other symptoms, acupuncture treatment should not only relieve muscle tension, but also adjust mental state. Acupuncture points such as Sun, Fengchi, Zhong Yu of the shoulder, Neiguan and Shen Men are taken. The use of moderate intensity stimulation, mild moxibustion of head acupuncture points can also significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment. Tui Na treatment is effective.
3.Headache caused by cervical spondylosis
X-rays or CT examinations can provide diagnostic basis. Acupuncture points are mainly taken from the A-Yi point and the Jiao-Ji point, and distally from the Hou-Xi point, and gentle moxibustion is given to the cervical points for 5-10 minutes each.
Occipital neuralgia is caused by C2 and 3 neuropathy. It can be caused by cold or cervical spine lesions. The acupuncture points are Fengchi (equivalent to the pressure point of the large occipital nerve) and Tianzhu (equivalent to the pressure point of the small occipital nerve), and it is best to obtain a radiating sensation when acupuncture is performed, and to give moderate intensity stimulation and a sufficient amount of mild moxibustion, which is very effective.