makes Liver-Yang flare upwards to cause the headache.
Other manifestations of Liver-Yang rising include dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, a dry throat,
insomnia, irritability, a Red tongue-body and a Wiry pulse. The pulse may be Wiry only on the
left side or even only on the left Middle position. It is important to realize that the tongue and
pulse can be different, depending on whether the headache stems from Liver-Blood or
Kidney/Liver-Yin deficiency. If it stems from Liver-Blood deficiency the tongue body may be
Pale and Thin, whereas if it stems from Kidney/Liver-Yin deficiency the tongue body will be
Red and Peeled. Finally, in the few cases when Liver-Yang rising derives from Kidney-Yang
deficiency, the tongue body will be Pale and Swollen and the pulse Deep and Slow.
Treatment Principle
Pacify the Liver, subdue rebellious Yang, nourish Liver-Blood or Liver-Yin and/or Kidney-Yin
as appropriate.
Acupuncture
General Prescription
LIV-3 Taichong, LIV-8 Ququan, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, T.B.-5 Waiguan, G.B.-20 Fengchi, Taiyang
extra point. In case of Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency add KI-3 Taixi.
Reducing method on LIV-3, T.B.-5 and G.B.-20, reinforcing method on LIV-8, SP-6 and KI-3.
Even method on Taiyang. If the condition is very chronic, even method can be applied to the
points that are normally reduced.
Explanation
- LIV-3 is the main distal point to pacify the Liver and subdue Yang rising. It is also the
main distal point for this type of headache. It should be needled at an appropriate depth
(at least 0.5 cun) and usually reduced. In acute cases it should be rather vigorously
reduced or at least manipulated repeatedly at intervals during the treatment, for example
4-5 times during 20 minutes. For very severe acute headaches when the pulse is
extremely Wiry the needles should be left in a fairly long time, i.e. longer than 20
minutes, up to 1 hour. Many of the patients with this type of headache dislike lying down
during an acute attack and should therefore be treated propped-up in a comfortable
position. The more chronic the condition, the less one needs to reduce this point and in
very chronic cases it is enough to apply manipulation with even method.
LIV-3 will affect a Liver-Yang headache no matter where the headache is situated. - LIV-8 is reinforced to nourish Liver-Blood and/or Liver-Yin. Liver-Yang rising always
derives from a deficiency of Liver-Blood (or Liver-Yin) and/or Kidney-Yin. It is