Stiff
A pronounced stiffness of the occiput usually indicates an invasion of exterior Wind-Cold. A
chronic headache with stiffness of the top of the shoulders and neck usually indicates
Liver-Yang rising.
Pulling
A pulling type of sensation indicates internal Liver-Wind.
Stabbing, Boring
This sensation is very intense and fixed in one place and it indicates Blood stasis. It occurs only
in chronic headaches. A description also used in this context is "splitting headache".
Feeling of Emptiness
A sensation of emptiness of the brain indicates deficiency of Kidney (Yin or Yang).
We can summarize the different types of headaches according to patterns:
Wind-Cold: severe occipital with pronounced stiffness
Wind-Heat: severe, distending, in the whole head
Wind-Damp: feeling of heaviness as if head were wrapped
Liver-Yang, Liver-Fire: distending
Liver-Wind: pulling
Stasis of Blood: stabbing, splitting, boring
Phlegm: heavy sensation as if head were wrapped, dizziness
Dampness: heavy sensation as if head were wrapped
Qi-Blood deficiency: dull
Kidney deficiency: feeling of emptiness.Diagnosis According to Amelioration and Aggravation
The factors which make a headache better or worse may give an indication of the condition
causing the headache.