Headaches according to Traditional Chinese Medicine - an excerpt from my book "Acupressure for Common Ailments".

HEADACHES:  According to Chinese medicine, there are many different reasons for a headache, including emotions like anger and fear, physical overwork, incorrect diet and excessive sex, or climatic conditions like Wind and Dampness.
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Many different meridians travel to the head.  The Bladder meridian starts between the eyes and travels over the head and down the spine.  The Gall Bladder meridian starts beside the eye and the Stomach meridian starts below the eye.  The Triple Burner meridian ends beside the eyebrow. The Large Intestine travels across the jaw and ends beside the nose. Internally the Liver and Heart meridians travel to the eyes. The site of the headache gives an indication of which meridian may be the cause of the problem.

                                                     FOREHEAD HEADACHE
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A headache on the forehead is usually related to the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians.  This type of headache has a heavy muzzy sensation because it is often caused by retention of Dampness or Phlegm. ​


Points to relieve this type of headache are:
Du 20, 23, St 8 & GB 14 on the head,  
LI 4 on the hand, P6 on the inside of the wrist, and Lu7
Sp 6 and St 36 on the leg, 
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​ GV 20,  GV 23, St 8 & GB 14 on the head

GV 20 is the meeting point of the Governing Vessel, the Bladder, Gall Bladder, Triple Burner and Liver meridians.  It benefits the Brain and sense organs and aids with headaches.
 
GV 23 is used for congestion and blurred vision.
 
St 8 removes obstructions from the channel, stops pain and resolves Dampness.
 
GB 14 is the meeting point of the Gall Bladder, Triple Burner, Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. Used for headaches, dizziness and some eye problems

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Lu 7 on the radial bone, P 6 on the inside of the wrist and 
LI 4 on the hand.


​​Lu 7 regulates the ascending and descending of Qi in the head.
 
P 6 calms the Mind and has a major effect of the Stomach

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​LI 4 removes obstructions from the channel, relieves congestion in the face and relieves pain. 
Avoid LI 4 during pregnancy.   ​

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​Sp 6 and St 36 on the leg as well as Liv 3 on the top of the foot.
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St 36 is a major point to tonify the Stomach, it moves Qi in the Stomach and Intestines   
               
Sp 6 is a major point to tonify the Spleen and together with St 36 strongly tonifies the Middle Burner, the area comprising the stomach and spleen.
 
Liv 3 is another major point to subdue Liver-Yang and nourish Liver-Blood.  It calms spasms, contraction and muscle cramps.  It has a very calming effect on the Mind and is helpful with irritability, frustration and anger.

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