Where to apply moxibustion for headache

Headaches are quite common in our daily life and there are many causes of headaches, such as headaches caused by colds, headaches caused by blood deficiency, etc. In addition to regular treatment, they can also be relieved through moxibustion. We know that moxibustion has the effect of dredging meridians, and it is also good in treating and relieving headaches. Different moxibustion methods can be adopted according to the different causes of headaches.

Where to apply moxibustion for headache

Moxibustion for headache caused by wind and cold

Main symptoms: Acute onset, headache as if splitting, extending to the neck and back, aversion to wind and cold, no thirst, and thin white tongue coating.

Moxibustion acupoints: The patient lies prone or sits, and moxibustion is performed on Baihui, Fengchi, temples, Hegu, and Lieque points.

Moxibustion effects: dispel wind and cold, dredge meridians and relieve pain.

Moxibustion for headache caused by phlegm

Main symptoms: headache, dizziness, chest and abdominal distension, vomiting and sputum, greasy white tongue coating.

Moxibustion acupoints: The patient lies prone or sitting, and moxibustion is performed on Baihui, Fengchi, Pishu, and Weishu points. Then the patient lies supine, and moxibustion is performed on Yintang, Zhongwan, Neiguan, and Fenglong points.

Moxibustion effects: eliminate phlegm and dampness, dredge meridians and relieve pain.

Moxibustion for headache caused by blood deficiency

Main symptoms: headache and dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, sallow complexion, worsening with exertion, pale tongue with thin white coating.

Moxibustion acupoints: The patient lies prone or sits, and moxibustion is performed on Baihui, Xinshu, Pishu, and Fengchi points.

Moxibustion effects: nourishes the heart and spleen, nourishes blood and relieves pain.

Moxibustion for Kidney Deficiency Headache

Main symptoms: headache and emptiness, often accompanied by dizziness, sore waist and weak legs, fatigue, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea in women, red tongue with little coating.

Moxibustion acupoints: The patient lies prone or sitting, and Baihui, Fengchi, Ganshu, and Shenshu acupoints are selected. Then the patient lies supine, and Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao, and Taixi acupoints are moxibustioned.

Efficacy: Nourishes yin and kidney, dredges meridians and relieves pain.

How to use moxibustion to treat headache

Gentle moxibustion with moxa sticks

Light the moxa stick, place the middle finger and index finger of one hand next to the selected acupoint, and hold the moxa stick in the other hand and suspend it vertically over the skin of the selected acupoint, 3-4 cm away from the skin. The degree of heat should be such that the patient feels warm to a slight burning sensation. If it feels too hot, you can move it in a spiral to ensure continuous warmth stimulation. Moxibustion each acupoint for 5-10 minutes.

Moxibustion with moxa cone and ginger

Take fresh old ginger, cut it into 0.2-0.5 cm thick slices, pierce several holes in the middle, and when applying moxibustion, place the ginger slices on the skin of the selected acupoints, place a large or medium moxa cone on the ginger slices, light the moxa cone and apply moxibustion. When the patient feels a local burning pain, slightly lift the ginger slices, or change the moxa cone and apply moxibustion again, 3-5 times per acupoint.