Acupuncture is a very effective way to relieve headaches and prevent them from reoccurring. It works particularly well for treatment of the following types of headaches:

 Primary headaches: migraines (usually weather, stress or hormone related) and tension headache.

Secondary headaches: headache caused by sinus infection, concussion or pinched nerve from the neck.

In Chinese Medicine, headaches, although the manifestation is localized in the head, are mostly a reflection of internal organ imbalance:

• Liver Qi stagnation: stress (anxiety, depression or mood swings) can cause blockage of the free flow of Qi (energy) and bring stagnation to liver and gallbladder and their channels. These channels are also connected to the head. Yan’s Acupuncture Stress Management can sooth liver Qi and remove stagnation from the channels, which will result in relieving the headache.

• Obstruction of Qi and blood in the local channels and collaterals: injuries (concussion); pathogenic factors (sinus infection) or structure changes (osteoarthritis in the neck) can inhabit the flow of Qi and blood and cause headaches. With application of needles in specific locations, acupuncture can relieve inflammation so as to stop pain.

• Disharmony between liver and kidney: liver and kidney dominate the reproductive system. When there is an imbalance between these organs, it will lead to hormonal imbalance and will cause headaches that usually coincide with the menstrual cycle. Yan’s Female Hormone Balancing Acupuncture can harmonize the liver and kidney which will eliminate the pain.

Please note: all the internal organs mentioned above are not the structural organs in Anatomy. They are more of functional summary.