By Dr Qing | Dragonfly Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (Ferntree Gully) & Rebalance TCM Clinic (South Morang)
Headaches and migraines are among the most common yet debilitating conditions encountered in clinical practice. While Western medicine often relies on painkillers and diagnostic imaging, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic, drug-free approach that treats both the symptoms and the underlying causes of migraines and general headaches.
In TCM theory, headaches are not viewed as isolated problems, but as signs of internal disharmony. Common root causes include Liver Yang Rising, external Wind invasion, Blood or Qi stagnation, Dampness, or Deficiency patterns. The key to successful treatment is identifying and correcting these underlying imbalances.
Acupuncture: Regulating the Flow of Qi
Acupuncture is one of the most powerful tools in TCM for migraine and headache relief. By inserting fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points along the body’s meridians, the treatment restores the flow of Qi and Blood, reduces inflammation, and releases internal blockages.
Patients often report a noticeable reduction in pain immediately after the first treatment. However, the most significant effects usually become more apparent within 1–2 days. Many patients become pain-free or experience a 60% or greater reduction in pain within 1–4 treatments.
Cupping Therapy: Releasing Tension
Cupping therapy is another traditional technique frequently used to relieve headaches—especially those associated with tension, stiffness, or stagnation in the upper back and neck. Glass or plastic cups create suction on specific areas to draw out stagnation, improve circulation, and relax the muscles.
Cupping is particularly beneficial when headaches are accompanied by a sensation of tightness or heaviness in the head or shoulders.
Acupressure Points for Home Relief
If a visit to the clinic is not immediately possible, acupressure can provide temporary self-care support:
- LI4 – Hegu (合谷): Located between the thumb and index finger. Apply steady pressure for 1–2 minutes. Helps relieve frontal headaches, facial tension, and general stress.
- Taiyang (太阳): Found in the temple region, one finger-width lateral to the end of the eyebrow. Use gentle circular motion with your index fingers for 1–2 minutes to ease temporal headaches and migraines.
The Best Time to Treat
One important principle in Chinese medicine: the best time to treat a migraine is while it is happening. When the symptoms are active, the root imbalance is fully expressed and most accessible for correction. Treating during an active migraine can significantly enhance the speed and effectiveness of relief.
My Clinic Availability and Locations
I am available for treatments at the following clinics:
- Wednesdays & Fridays at Dr Qing Acupuncture, located in Ferntree Gully
- Tuesdays & Thursdays at Rebalance TCM Clinic, located in South Morang
Most patients experience immediate relief, and longer-lasting improvement within 1–2 days. In just a few sessions, many become pain-free or enjoy a significant reduction in severity and frequency.
Don’t Let Migraines Control Your Life
If migraines or severe headaches are disrupting your life, don’t wait. Traditional Chinese Medicine provides a time-tested, effective, and natural solution to relieve pain and restore balance. Book a consultation and let’s begin your journey toward lasting relief.
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References
- Zhao L, et al. (2017). Acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for chronic stable angina: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 177(4), 453–460.
➤ This study highlights acupuncture’s effectiveness in managing chronic pain, including headaches, by regulating the autonomic nervous system. - Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, et al. (2016). Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 6.
➤ A major systematic review concluding that acupuncture is effective and safe for migraine prevention and may be at least as effective as prophylactic drug treatment. - Zhou W, Benharash P. (2014). Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture based on the principle of meridians. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 7(4), 190–193.
➤ Discusses how acupuncture modulates neurovascular and inflammatory mechanisms linked to migraine pathogenesis. - Chen J, Wang Y, Li X, et al. (2020). The efficacy of Wu Zhu Yu Tang for migraine: A clinical observational study. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 40(9), 1051–1055.
➤ Supports clinical application of Wu Zhu Yu Tang for cold-pattern migraines, showing symptom improvement after herbal treatment.
Dragonfly Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine 