choose as distal points LIV-3 Taichong according to the pattern and G.B.-43 Xiaxi according to
the channel.
Local points are mostly chosen according to the channel involved. For example, for headaches
on the Gall-Bladder channel, one might choose G.B.-6 Xuanli as local point. Some local points
may be chosen according to the location of the headache irrespective of the pattern. For example:
- Frontal headache: Du-23 Shangxing and G.B.-14 Yangbai
- Headache on vertex: Du-20 Baihui and Du-21 Qianding
- Occipital headache: BL-10 Tianzhu and Du-19 Houding
- Temporal headache: G.B.-8 Shuaigu and Taiyang.
However, local points may also be chosen according to the pattern. In the example above, if the
headache on the Gall-Bladder channel is caused by Liver-Yang rising, in addition to points on
the Gall-Bladder channel, we might also use Du-20 Baihui as the internal pathway if the Liver
channel reaches up to that point.
The same principles apply to herbal therapy. The "local" herbs, i.e. those that specifically affect
the head, are chosen according to the channel involved (but to a certain extent also according to
the pattern) and the "distal" herbs, i.e. those that treat the condition causing the headaches, are
chosen according to the pattern. For example, in frontal headaches from Liver-Qi stagnation and
Spleen deficiency, Bai Zhi Radix Angelicae dahuricae can be selected as a "local" herb to affect
the forehead, while the Xiao Yao San Free and Easy Wanderer Powder could be selected as the
main prescription to deal with the pattern causing the headaches, i.e. stagnation of Liver-Qi.
Treatment
Exterior Conditions
Headaches from exterior origin are due to invasion of exterior Wind. Wind affects the top part
of the body and a headache is one of its main manifestations. Headaches from exterior Wind are
of the Excess-type by definition as they are characterized by the presence of Wind. Exterior
Wind combines with other pathogenic factors to give rise to Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, or
Wind-Dampness.
Wind-Cold
Wind-Cold invades the Greater Yang channels first and manifests with a headache and stiffness
on the occiput, where these channels flow. Cold contracts and tightens the sinews and slows
down the circulation of Defensive Qi, hence the typical feeling of stiffness at the back of the
neck.