Can migraine be treated with moxibustion?

Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on April 03, 2025
00:00
00:00

Moxibustion can be used for patients experiencing migraines, as it is a type of physical therapy within traditional Chinese medicine that effectively helps regulate the body and alleviate symptoms.

Initially, moxibustion can be applied to acupoints such as Sanyinjiao, Quchi, and Fenglong, which can effectively help relieve migraines. Alternatively, massaging the head with palms also has a soothing effect. If the pain is severe, taking pain relief medication promptly can also improve and regulate the condition. It is crucial to maintain adequate sleep, avoid excessive fatigue, and particularly avoid staying up late.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

Is migraine easy to treat?

Migraine, a type of disorder that frequently occurs, causes substantial pain, with patients experiencing severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Generally, migraines are manageable and not particularly difficult to treat, although they are prone to recurrence. Treatment primarily consists of pharmacotherapy, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief, as well as specific medications such as triptans and ergot derivatives, all of which are highly effective. Some patients might also benefit from using benzodiazepines, which serve as sedatives and hypnotics, providing favorable outcomes. If migraines frequently disrupt life, preventive medications may be used to decrease their occurrence, including calcium channel blockers and antiepileptics, which are quite effective. (Note: The answer is for reference only. Take medications under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
52sec home-news-image

How to treat migraines

The incidence of migraines is still very high, and the pain can be quite severe, affecting patients' work and daily life, preventing them from resting well. The main treatments include the following: First, maintain the patient's emotional stability and keep the patient calm, avoiding strong lights and loud noises as much as possible to create a quiet environment. Second, administer oral non-steroidal analgesics for pain relief, or take ergot preparations for pain relief. Third, patients sometimes exhibit obvious anxiety and can take benzodiazepines for related treatment, as well as certain anti-anxiety medications. Fourth, if the patient experiences nausea and vomiting, symptomatic treatment should be given, including antiemetic medications. If the patient has frequent episodes, prophylactic treatment with receptor blockers can be used.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
57sec home-news-image

Which area is moxibustion applied for migraines?

Migraines can be relieved through moxibustion by targeting specific acupoints to alleviate headache symptoms. Firstly, local acupoints can be selected; for migraines, you can use the Ah-Shi points, and also massage points such as the temples, Si Zhu Kong, Jiao Sun, Shuai Gu, and Feng Chi. Additionally, based on differential diagnosis, distant acupoints may be chosen. For instance, if the migraine is caused by external pathogens, add Feng Chi and Feng Fu points. If caused by phlegm and turbidity disturbances, add Feng Long and Zu San Li to clear phlegm and reduce turbidity. For migraines due to deficiency of qi and blood, add Qi Hai, Xue Hai, and Zu San Li to nourish yin and replenish qi, with the aim of treating deficiencies and alleviating pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

How long will it take for the migraine to get better?

Migraine is very prevalent among young and middle-aged people, with sufferers usually experiencing unilateral, though sometimes bilateral, pulsating headaches. These may accompany a sensitivity to light and sound, along with significant nausea and vomiting. Typically, migraines resolve within 4-72 hours, meaning recovery generally occurs within three days. If it doesn’t resolve within three days, it’s referred to as a status migrainosus. During an acute migraine episode, it is important to rest, ensure adequate sleep, consume more fruits, and take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment. Specific pain relievers such as triptans may also be used, and concurrent complications should be addressed. Furthermore, if migraines recur frequently, prophylactic treatment with medications like beta-blockers may be considered. (Please consult a professional physician before taking any medication.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
57sec home-news-image

Can acupuncture be used for migraines?

For migraine, such as some primary migraines, acupuncture can be used for treatment and has certain efficacy. It can alleviate the symptoms of headache, reduce the intensity of pain, and decrease the frequency of pain episodes. Generally, for migraines, some local acupoints are selected, such as Fengchi, Jia Che, Si Zhu Kong, and Shuai Gu for acupuncture. If the pain is very severe, electroacupuncture can sometimes be used to enhance the effect of acupuncture to achieve the effects of unblocking meridians and relieving pain. Of course, acupoints are also chosen based on the patient's condition to treat migraines. For instance, migraines caused by liver qi stagnation would involve selecting acupoints that soothe the liver and regulate qi, such as Qi Men and Tai Chong, to help treat the migraines.