Why Do I Get Headaches?

We all experience headaches from time to time. Sometimes it’s easily diagnosed due to dehydration or missed meals; however, with more chronic headaches, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks deeper within the energetics of the body to find the source of the issue.

The most common type of headache that occurs with my patients is a headache that is described as intense and usually throbbing. It is typically located at the back of the head (occipital) but is also commonly found on the sides of the head and/or temples. Additionally, pain or pressure behind the eyes along with tension/tightness in the neck and upper back sometimes accompany the headache but not always.

This type of headache is traditionally diagnosed as an excess of Liver energy (Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire) in the channel (meridian).

From an energetics point of view, each meridian is governed by an organ and each organ is responsible for specific attributes of the body; however, each organ is also susceptible to mental/emotional attacks which inhibit the energetic function of the organ. The Liver is responsible for the free flow of Qi energy throughout the body; however, the Liver is specifically susceptible to negative stress regardless of its source (internal-self or external). When the Liver is bombarded with stress, it no longer moves Qi energy freely causing it to stagnant in areas.

Other sources that may disrupt the flow of energy include, but are not limited to; injury, illness, lifestyle factors, and emotional stress.

Since the Liver's natural energetic state is moving, the stagnation of energy causes a build-up of heat or an excess of Yang energy to accumulate. Heat naturally rises and so does excess Liver-Yang (note: Yang energy is fast, active, hot, etc.) which brings excessive active energy to the head causing symptoms such as headaches located at the occiput, sides, and/or temples of the head.

The analogy I used is to picture a blender (Liver); the natural function of the blades is to blend or constantly move; however, if the blender jar is loaded with too much or over-sized frozen fruit (stress) it can cause the blender blade to catch and stop moving. The inhibited movement causes the motor to overheat resulting in a burning or electrical smell (excess Yang energy rising).

Additionally, an increase of tension/tightness or pain may occur in the upper back and neck since the Livers sinew channel runs along the upper back and neck and with Liver Qi energy stagnating, it causes more energy to accumulate in these areas.

Some patients also experience an increase in pressure and/or pain behind the eyes. This occurs because the sensory organ of the Liver is the eyes; therefore, excess Liver energy will travel to the eyes.

Other symptoms that may occur include, but are not limited to; flashing lights or aura, blurred vision, high-pitch ringing in the ears, dizziness, hearing loss, insomnia, vivid dreams, and/or irritability.

Please note that we have only discussed one common type of headache; there are several other types, reasons, and symptoms of headaches.

Acupuncture can provide great success in treating most types of headaches; however, it’s important to consult with your general practitioner to ensure no serious complications are causing your headaches.

Feel free to email me for more information and treatment.