Italy Qihuang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shuhua He, Jun He, Bin He

Regulating the Chong and Ren Meridians Method: The onset of migraines is often tied to the menstrual cycle. In most cases, migraines occur within the week before menstruation, while a small number of patients experience migraines after menstruation. Often patients will begin to have issues at menarche, and the migraines will spontaneously resolve after menopause. One can also have relief from migraine headaches during pregnancy.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this disease stems from insufficient liver blood and loss of kidney essence, or stagnation of liver qi and stagnation of blood, leading to headaches. During the premenstrual phase, the uterus is building up a reserve of essence and blood, while the liver needs to mobilize yinblood to enter the uterus system, because the liver has the function of storing the blood and regulating the yin. Insufficient liver blood leads to an imbalance of liver yin and yang, and hyperactivity of liver yang leads to headache. In the case of vacuity, the loss of essence and blood of the kidneys and the lack of nourishment of the brain network can also cause headache. In the case of stagnation of liver qi, the movement of qi is not smooth, and blood circulation is blocked, resulting in headaches.

Main Acupoints: Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Taiyang (Ex-HN-5), Daling (PC 7), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (Extra point on abdomen), Gongsun (SP 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6).

Additional Acupoints: For hyperactivity of liver yang, add Taichong (LV 3) and Hegu (LI 4); for deficient kidney essence, add Quchi (LI 11), Taixi (KD 3), and Qihai (CV 6); for liver qi stagnation, add Taichong (LV 3) .

Needling Method: For Taixi (KD 3) and Quchi (LI 11), use twisting and reinforcing technique; for other acupoints, use even reinforcing and reducing technique.

Analysis: Guanyuan and Zigong are the main acupoints. Guanyuan point belongs to the Ren vessel, and it is also the confluence point of the foot three yin meridians, It has the effect of regulating the liver, spleen and kidney,.It is the place where the original yin and yang of the body are stored up and conserved, so it is named “Guanyuan” (Locking the original). In the “Ling Shu·Five Sounds and Five Tastes,” it is stated: “The Chong Mai and Ren Mai both originate from the uterus.” Furthermore, in the “Su Wen·Discussion on Pain,” it is mentioned: “The Chong Mai originates from Guanyuan.” This explains why Guanyuan can affect the uterus via the Ren Mai and Chong Mai, regulating the qi and blood dynamics and yinyang imbalance within the uterus. Therefore, Guanyuan is a crucial acupoint for treating uterine disorders. Zigong belongs to the extraordinary acupoints outside the meridians, located 3 inches away from Zhongji, near the ovaries, has the function of regulating ovarian function and is an important point for treating menstrual irregularities and infertility. In Sun Si Miaos “Qian Jin Fang,” it is said: “The Zigong acupoint treats women with a colduterus and inability to conceive.” In “Zhen Jiu Da Cheng,” it says: “［The point］ treats people who have been childless for a long time.” The combination of Guanyuan and Zigong is essential for treating gynecological disorders and ovarian dysfunction. Neiguan and Gongsun are confluence points for the eight extraordinary vessels. Neiguan belongs to the Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin, and connects with the YinWei Mai, regulating the various yin meridians and the uterus. Gongsun belongs to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and connects with the Chong Mai, which originates from the uterus. The Chong Mai travels upward through the head, down to the feet, runs along the back, and spreads in the chest and abdomen. The upper pathway runs along the spine and permeates the yang meridians, while the lower pathway permeates the yin meridians. It has the ability to accommodate and regulate the qi and blood of the twelve regular channels and the ZangFu organs. This is why it is referred to as the “Sea of the twelve channels” and the “Sea of the ZangFu Organs.” Therefore, the combination of Neiguan and Gongsun can help regulate deficiencies in qi and blood, nourish the essence and blood of the uterus, descend liver yang counterflow, alleviate meridian blockages, and when combined with Sanyinjiao, it can further increase its power of nourishing yin and suppressing yang.

Case Study:

Patient: Milena, Female, 42 years old, Italian.

Chief Complaint: Suffering from migraines for 11 years.

Medical History: Milena started to have headaches about 11 years ago, and it was diagnosed as “migraine” by many doctors. Their treatment was ineffective. Her headaches typically began 1-2 days before menstruation, on either the left or right side of her head, with no fixed location. The pain usually originated from the occipital area and then intensified, spreading to her forehead and temples. She also had symptoms such as tearing, nausea, abdominal bloating, lower back pain, and fatigue. Her menstrual flow was light and pale in color.

Examination: Pulse was deep and thin, tongue was pale.

Diagnosis: Migraine (due to qi and blood deficiency).

Treatment: Baihui, Taiyang, Fengchi, Neiguan, Zhongwan, Guanyuan, Zigong, Gongsun, Zuqiaoyin (GB 44).

Acupuncture Method: Using reinforcement method. Moxibustion on Guanyuan and Zigong for 2 minutes each. Moxibustion on Zuyin for 5 breaths. Treatment was conducted twice a week.

After 3 sessions, Milena experienced a lighter degree of headache during her menstrual period. Subsequently, after 7 additional acupuncture sessions, her menstrualrelated headaches ceased. The treatment frequency was then adjusted to once a week. After receiving acupuncture 5 more times, her headaches did not recur, and acupuncture treatment was discontinued. At a one year follow up there was no recurrence of headache.

About the Author:

Shuhuai He，graduated from the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine College in 1963, he founded the Italian Qihuang Tradition Chinese medicine college in 2018, and serves as academic Dean.