Is One-Sided Headache Always Migraine? A TCM Perspective on Diagnosis and Treatment

Headache is one of the most common clinical symptoms, and the term migraine is likely familiar to everyone. Many people assume that if they experience a one-sided headache, they have a migraine. But is this really true?

In fact, a one-sided headache isn't necessarily a migraine; migraines have specific characteristics and mechanisms. How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understand this, and what are its approaches to management?

Migraine vs. Regular Headache: How to Tell the Difference

Migraine is a recurring, often pulsating, one-sided headache that is a neurovascular disorder.

It is typically accompanied by:

✅ Pulsating pain (like a throbbing pulse)

✅ Moderate to severe pain that affects daily life

✅ Nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia)

✅ Some individuals may experience an "aura" (e.g., flashing lights in vision, blurred vision) before the headache.

In contrast, regular headaches might only present as dull or throbbing pain on one or both sides, often related to fatigue, emotional fluctuations, or lack of sleep, without distinct neurological symptoms.

🧑‍⚕️ How Does TCM View Migraines?

From a TCM perspective, migraines are not just a problem of the head; they are often linked to disharmony of internal organs (脏腑失调) and stagnation of Qi and Blood (气血不畅).

Common underlying causes include:

• Liver Yang Rising (肝阳上亢): 

  Due to emotional fluctuations or high stress, Liver fire flares upward, causing headaches. This is often accompanied by dizziness, irritability, and dry mouth.

  
  

• Blood Stasis Obstructing Collaterals (血瘀阻络): 

  Poor circulation of Qi and Blood in the body leads to blood stasis obstructing the cerebral collaterals. The headache is typically sharp, stabbing, and fixed in location, sometimes with scalp numbness.

  
  

• Phlegm-Dampness Obstructing the Middle (痰浊中阻): 

  Due to irregular eating habits or weak Spleen and Stomach, dampness and phlegm accumulate, obstructing the flow of Qi and Blood to the head. This manifests as a heavy, dull headache and a foggy sensation in the head.

  
  

• Qi and Blood Deficiency (气血亏虚): 

  A weak constitution or prolonged illness can lead to insufficient Qi and Blood, failing to nourish the head. This results in a dull, aching pain that worsens with fatigue.

The characteristics, triggers, and treatment methods for headaches vary among individuals with different body constitutions.

🎯 How Does Acupuncture Relieve Migraines?

Acupuncture is an effective method for treating migraines. By stimulating acupoints, it regulates the flow of Qi and Blood, helping to alleviate pain. Commonly selected acupoints in clinical practice include:

⭐ Fengchi (风池穴) (back of the neck): Clears meridians, relieves headache.

⭐ Taichong (太冲穴) (top of the foot): Calms the Liver and reduces fire, suitable for Liver Yang Rising type migraines.

⭐ Hegu (合谷穴) (on the hand): Regulates Qi and Blood circulation, alleviates headache.

⭐ Baihui (百会穴) (top of the head): Connects all meridians, lifts Yang Qi.

Research suggests that acupuncture can regulate neurotransmitters (like serotonin) and improve vascular function, thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.

🍵 TCM Conditioning: Dietary Therapy + Lifestyle Habits

✅ Balanced Diet: 

Reduce consumption of spicy, greasy, and cold foods. Drink moderate amounts of chrysanthemum tea or cassia seed tea, which help clear the Liver, brighten the eyes, and relieve headaches.

✅ Adjust Sleep Schedule: 

Avoid staying up late and maintain a regular sleep pattern to reduce headache triggers.

✅ Emotional Management: 

Learn to relax and engage in moderate exercise like Tai Chi, yoga, or walking to prevent Liver fire from flaring up.

✅ Massage Relief: 

Gently massage acupoints like Taiyang (太阳穴) and Fengchi (风池穴) to help soothe pain.

📌 Conclusion: Targeted Conditioning, Treating Both Symptoms and Root Causes

A one-sided headache isn't always a migraine, but if it recurs frequently and affects your quality of life, it warrants attention. TCM emphasizes treatment based on syndrome differentiation, using acupuncture, dietary therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to regulate the body's constitution and alleviate headaches.

If you frequently experience headaches, consider trying TCM conditioning to restore your body's balance and make life more comfortable! 😊

Written by: Jesiie, TCM Practitioner.