Korean Medicine Clinic for Headache Treatment

Hello, I am Choi Yeon-seung, the head director of Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

Today, I would like to delve deeply into a chronic ailment that many modern people experience daily: 'headaches'. I will explain the causes and treatments of headaches from the perspective of Korean medicine in detail. If you're suffering from debilitating headaches that disrupt your daily life, don't endure it any longer; let's explore solutions together.

Table of Contents

1. Headaches: The Uninvited Guest Disrupting Daily Life
2. Headaches Caused by Qi and Blood Stagnation: Pathogenesis from a Korean Medicine Perspective
3. Headache Treatment: Herbal Prescriptions Tailored to Pattern Differentiation and Constitution
4. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy to Clear Stagnant Qi and Blood, and Relieve Pain
5. Comprehensive Lifestyle Management for Headache Prevention

1. Headaches: The Uninvited Guest Disrupting Daily Life

"When work stress builds up, my head inevitably throbs. Sometimes I suffer from nausea and become sensitive to light and sound. I'm stuck in a routine of relying on painkillers, but there's no clear solution."

Over half of adults in Korea are said to suffer from headaches. Recently, complaints of headaches are increasing further due to factors like mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in remote work. Many people suffer from various types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. While mild pain often improves quickly with rest, chronic headaches significantly reduce the quality of life. It becomes difficult to perform roles at work and home, and some may experience isolation due to social phobia. Frequent use of painkillers can also lead to side effects from medication overuse. The causes of headaches are very diverse. Tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, lack of sleep, and overwork are often major contributing factors. They can also arise from vasoconstriction, as seen in migraines, or from head and neck infections like sinusitis or periodontal disease.

2. Headaches Caused by Qi and Blood Stagnation: Pathogenesis from a Korean Medicine Perspective

In Korean medicine, headaches are referred to as Du Feng (head wind), Du Tong (head pain), among other terms. The head is where the vital essence (Jing Qi) of the entire body converges and where the functions of the Six Fu-organs are fully manifested. Therefore, if the circulation of Qi and Blood in the head is not smooth, pain will arise. In particular, the Liver governs the function of free coursing (Shu Xie). If Liver Qi becomes stagnant (Gan Qi Yu Jie) and the Qi mechanism is not smooth, symptoms such as headache, hypochondriac pain, and chest fullness may appear. If Liver Yang ascends (Gan Yang Shang Kang), symptoms like vertex headache (Dian Ding Tong) and hypochondriac pain may occur. If Liver Wind moves (Gan Feng Dong), symptoms such as dizziness and blurred vision (Tou Yun Mu Xuan) and numbness of the limbs (Zhi Ma) may accompany it. Furthermore, the Spleen transports the essence of water and grain (Shui Gu Jing Wei) to the head through its transformation and transportation (Yun Hua) function. If the Spleen's function weakens, phlegm-fluid (Tan Yin) accumulates, leading to headaches. If damp-phlegm (Shi Tan) becomes entangled in the channels and collaterals (Jing Luo), it often manifests as a stiff and heavy sensation in the neck.

3. Headache Treatment: Herbal Prescriptions Tailored to Pattern Differentiation and Constitution

The first step in treating headaches with Korean herbal medicine is accurate pattern differentiation with targeted treatment (Bian Zheng Shi Zhi). This involves a comprehensive analysis of the headache's characteristics, accompanying symptoms, tongue appearance (She Xiang), and pulse condition (Mai Xiang) to differentiate patterns such as Liver Yang ascending (Gan Yang Shang Kang), Liver Qi stagnation (Gan Qi Yu Jie), phlegm-fluid (Tan Yin), or blood deficiency (Xue Xu). Based on this, treatment methods like soothing the Liver and regulating Qi (Shu Gan Li Qi), clearing Liver heat and purging fire (Qing Gan Xie Huo), and expelling wind and resolving phlegm (Qu Feng Hua Tan) are employed. For Liver Yang Headache (Gan Yang Tou Tong), formulas like Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin are used, incorporating herbs such as Antelope Horn (Ling Yang Jiao) and Abalone Shell (Shi Jue Ming) to pacify the Liver and extinguish wind (Ping Gan Xi Feng) and calm the Liver and suppress wind (Zhen Gan Xi Feng). Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San is used when headaches are accompanied by neck stiffness (Xiang Qiang) and shoulder and arm pain (Jian Bi Tong). It demonstrates excellent efficacy in alleviating headaches through its functions of invigorating blood, expelling wind, and relieving pain (Huo Xue Qu Feng Zhi Tong). In cases of damp-phlegm (Shi Tan), Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang is often used as the base formula, sometimes with the addition of Er Chen Tang. It is a representative prescription for managing headaches through its actions of drying dampness and resolving phlegm (Zao Shi Hua Tan), and strengthening the Spleen and harmonizing the Stomach (Jian Pi He Wei). For headaches due to blood deficiency (Xue Xu), blood-tonifying herbs are utilized, often in modified forms of Si Wu Tang or Ba Zhen Tang.

4. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy to Clear Stagnant Qi and Blood, and Relieve Pain

Alongside herbal medicine treatment, actively incorporating acupuncture and moxibustion therapy can significantly aid in headache improvement. By stimulating acupoints on the head, such as Baihui (GV20), Touwei (ST8), and Fengchi (GB20), we can promote Qi and Blood circulation and achieve pain-relieving effects. For migraines, acupoints like Taiyang (EX-HN5), Zanzhu (BL2), and Sizhukong (SJ23) are chosen. For occipital tension headaches, points such as Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL10), and Dazhui (GV14) are selected. If the headache is due to tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, acupuncture points like Jianjing (GB21) and Jianwaishu (SI14) are needled to promote muscle relaxation. Furthermore, distal acupoints such as Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), and Zusanli (ST36) are actively utilized to facilitate overall Qi and Blood flow throughout the body and enhance analgesic effects. Adding moxibustion therapy, which uses mugwort to help alleviate headaches, can further enhance the therapeutic effect.

5. Comprehensive Lifestyle Management for Headache Prevention

In addition to headache treatment, diligent lifestyle management for prevention should not be neglected. Above all, managing excessive stress is crucial. Stress excites the sympathetic nervous system, causing blood vessels to constrict and triggering pain. Develop habits that calm your mind and body, such as meditation, yoga, or walking in nature. Regular exercise to activate metabolism and getting sufficient sleep also helps. Insufficient sleep inhibits serotonin secretion, making one more sensitive to pain. Balanced nutrition is needed rather than extreme diets, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake is also advisable. Don't forget to stretch for 10 minutes every 50 minutes during work. Staring at a computer monitor for long periods or looking at a smartphone can increase tension in the neck muscles. Regularly turning your head left and right and doing shoulder exercises can be effective in preventing headaches.

6. Life with Chronic Headaches: Korean Medicine Reaches Out

"I was exhausted from a long struggle with illness, but after receiving herbal medicine prescriptions and consistent acupuncture treatment at the Korean medicine clinic, the intensity of my pain gradually decreased. I am grateful that my quality of life is improving through fundamental constitutional improvement."

When your head feels like it's splitting and your daily life crumbles, when it feels like you have to live with headaches as your constant companion. Are you suffering alone? How about starting Korean medicine treatment at Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic to restore the flow of Qi and Blood throughout your body and release stagnant energy?