This is a broad term for headaches that have many different symptoms. In western medical terms these headaches would probably be classified together as migraines. Through a system of symptom-related diagnoses, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides the practitioner with a specific diagnosis, so the correct remedy and acupuncture points can be used from the beginning of treatment, offering a faster recovery time and a better focus on the cause.
There are three main categories within the TCM diagnostic structure. They are:
- headaches from deficiency (not enough Qi or Blood) or,
- headaches from excess (too much Qi, Blood, Wind or Phlegm) and,
- headaches that are a combination of excess and deficiency.
The excess headaches are the most common type, because all of the Yang channels rise to the head. Yang is the more active form of Qi (pronounced chee,) and when too much of it gathers in the head, there is little way of escape. Congestion, stagnation and pain are the result.
Each pathology has different identifying symptoms. Deficiency-type headaches have an empty, spaced-out feeling. A Qi deficiency headache has a dull feeling and may be worse in the morning. A Blood deficiency headache may be worse in the afternoon or evening and the person may have difficulty thinking or remembering.
Excess-type headaches have more severe pain than deficiency types. Phlegm has a heavy or foggy-headed feeling. Wind (Thunder Head Wind) often results in twitches or spasms and the pain may move from one area to another. There may also be hypertension or numbness in the extremities. Excess Blood has a very sharp pain that stays in a fixed location. Excess Qi may be one-sided, throb or be accompanied by nausea.
Understanding these symptoms is critical for a practitioner to form an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. For the patient, it will help them give their practitioner the information they need.
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