Headache - CatsTCMNotes

☯ Classic migraines have auras, a visual pattern of colors and/or visual disturbances that look
like lines around what the patient sees. Classic migraine sufferers often have early signs that
a migraine is coming on which could be dizziness, mild nausea, etc. Classic migraines are
experienced by 15-40% of migraine patients.
☯ Common migraines come without any early warnings such as the auras. These are far more
common and account for 60-85% of all migraines experienced.
The differences between headaches and migraines.
Though a migraine could be a two-sided headache, for more commonly they are one-sided. Twosided
headaches would be a sub-category of headaches. Migraines are associated with more
throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, cyclical patterns and are far longer in duration than
headaches. A migraine might last as little as 4 hours or as long as 72 and is often vascular.
Migraines also often have digestive problems and visual disturbances up to and during the
migraine.
Migraines are associated with blood dysfunction, and not just of a deficiency type either.
Dysfunction of blood leads to mental and shen problems as well as memory problems. Wei
(defensive) Qi and Ying (nutritive) Qi are the carriers of Shen. If the blood is blocked or
deficient the Ying Qi also becomes blocked or deficient which leads to Shen disturbance.
Treatment protocols in western medicine prescribe prozac, propranolol, amitriptyline, and
carbamazepine to reduce frequency of episodes. Ergotamine is often prescribed upon the first attack and
sometimes just ibuprofen to relieve pain.
TCM Etiology
There are 4 basic etiologies for migraines in TCM:
1. Invasion of external pathogens
Changes in weather (wind, heat, cold, etc.), sunshine and bright lights, odors and pollution,
noises/sounds/voices are considered external pathogens because they can cause migraines for
those that are susceptible. The 5 sense organs are yang in nature and are therefore easily affected
by Yang messages such as the pathogens listed above. Entry of these pathogens causes a Yang
excess and thus the migraine.
2. Irregular diet
This causes a disharmony of the Middle Jiao (SP/ST) either due to the Liver overacting on the
Spleen or due to weakness of the Spleen/Stomach.
3. Emotional disorder
Related to the Liver which ends at the vertex. The liver plays a strong role in the head and is in
charge of the nervous system.
4. Overworking.
This causes an excess on the head and a deficiency in the lower part of the body.
Acupuncture Treatment of Disease 2 – Winter 2009
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