Headache is a symptom of many acute and chronic conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the head is regarded as "
confluence of all yang meridians" and "
sea of marrow," which mean the head is closely connected with other parts of the body, and all the organs are responsible for nourishing it. The body has a giant web called the
meridian system to supply the head with fundamental substances like
essence,
qi (vital energy) and
blood. When the meridian system is dysfunctional, which causes obstruction of the head
collaterals or under nourishment of the head
orifices, headaches will occur. TCM therapeutic principle for headaches is to unblock the meridians and collaterals, and reactivate qi and blood.
Chinese massage is most suited for headache due to cold and flu, migraine and muscular tension.
- Press and knead at the midpoint between the eyebrows, 30 times;
- Bend the index fingers, use the middle knuckles of index fingers to press firmly at the middle forehead, then wipe towards the temples, repeat for 30 times;
- Thumb-knead the temples 30 times, then wipe back towards the hairline 30 times;
- Use the thumbs to press at the two sides of skull base (Gb 20), and knead for 30 times;
- Sit straight, make one hand into a fist, and beat on the middle of shoulder (Gb 21) of opposite side, 15 times on each side;
- Nip and grasp at the middle of palm web between thumb and index finger (Li 4), 30 times each hand.
The above are the basic steps of headaches, that should add the following steps for individuals with:
Migraine
- Use the fingertips to press at the upper corners of forehead (St 8, just inside the hairline), knead for 30 times;
- Firmly wipe again the temple of the affected side, 20 times;
- Nip and knead at wai guan (Sj 5, forearm back, middle and 3-finger-breadth above the wrist), 30 times on each side;
- Nip and knead at zhong zhu (Sj 3, clenched hand, the depression between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bone), 30 times on each hand.
Headache located in the crown
- Use the fingertips to press at the center the head crown (Du 20), and knead for 30 times;
- Use the thumb to knead at 2-finger-breadth above the midline of wrist (Pc 6) of other hand, 30 times each side;
- Knead at tai chong (Lr 3, depression between big toe and second toe) on the dorsum of the foot, 30 times each foot;
- Site down, rest the ankle on the thigh, one hand holds the ankle and use the palm edge of another hand to press on the center of the sole (Kl 1), rub quickly until the sole feels warm.
Headache located in the back of head
- Use the thumbs to knead along the back of ears, up and down for 30 times;
- Use the thumb to knead at hou xi (Si 3, at the end of the transverse crease of palm side), 30 times on each hand.
Massage to relieve headache