Migraines are a common occurrence in daily life. So, where should you cupping for migraines?
Where to Cupping for Migraines
Temple
1. Location:
The temple is located in the temporal region, between the end of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye, about one finger-width back.
2. Acupuncture point:
Sit upright or lie on your side, and cupping should be done about one finger-width away from the midpoint between the sphenoid bone and the pupil's inner corner.
3. Efficacy:
Relieves liver heat, improves vision, and alleviates pain. The temple is an extraordinary acupoint on the meridian. Massaging this acupoint can clear the liver, improve vision, and alleviate pain by promoting blood circulation.
Cheek Car
Location:
Located on the cheek, above the front and lower angle of the jaw, about one finger-width below the lower ear lobe, where the muscle bulges when chewing.
Acupuncture point:
When the upper and lower jaws are clenched, the point is in the depressed area where the bulging masseter muscle is located.
Efficacy:
The cheek car acupoint has the functions of dispelling wind, promoting circulation, reducing swelling, dispelling wind and heat, and opening and regulating the meridians.
Feng Chi
Location:
The Feng Chi acupoint is located in the back of the neck, below the occipital bone, level with the Wind Mansion acupoint, in the depression between the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper end of the trapezius muscle. It is an important Back-Shu point on the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang.
Acupuncture point:
Sit upright or lie prone, and the acupoint is located in the depression between the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper end of the trapezius muscle, level with the Wind Mansion acupoint (Du Meridian).
Efficacy:
Tonifies yang, strengthens qi. The Feng Chi acupoint can awaken the mind, dispel wind and heat, improve vision and hearing, calm the liver, relieve wind, detoxify, and regulate the openings of the organs.
Feng Men
1. Location:
The Feng Men acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches away.
2. Acupuncture point:
The patient usually adopts an upright or prone position. The Feng Men acupoint is located in the back, centered on the second depression (between the 2nd and 3rd thoracic vertebrae) from the one facing the Dazhui (upper back) point, about 1.5 inches away (or about 2 centimeters on both sides).
3. Efficacy:
Regulates the bladder meridian and facilitates the flow of qi and blood to the head. The Feng Men acupoint has the functions of dispelling wind, releasing the exterior, invigorating the lungs, promoting the release of external pathogens from the lungs, invigorating qi, and stabilizing the exterior.
Liver Yu
1. Location:
The Liver Yu acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches away from the midline.
2. Acupuncture point:
The patient lies prone, and the acupoint is located about 1.5 inches away from the side of the Governor Vessel, below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.
3. Efficacy:
Dispels heat from the liver. The Liver Yu acupoint has the functions of clearing and benefiting the liver and gallbladder, calming the mind and improving vision, nourishing blood and eliminating stasis, regulating the liver and gallbladder, and harmonizing qi and improving vision.
Gallbladder Yu
1. Location:
The Gallbladder Yu acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra, about 1.5 inches away.
2. Acupuncture point:
The patient lies prone, and the acupoint is located about 1.5 inches away from the side of the Governor Vessel, below the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.
3. Efficacy:
Dispels heat from the gallbladder. The Gallbladder Yu acupoint has the functions of clearing gallbladder fire, resolving damp heat, regulating the liver and gallbladder, and clearing heat and transforming dampness.
Kidney Yu
1. Location:
The Kidney Yu acupoint is located on the lower back, below the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra, about 1.5 inches away.
2. Acupuncture point:
The patient lies prone, and the acupoint is located about 1.5 inches away from the side of the Governor Vessel, below the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.
3. Efficacy:
Dispels heat from the kidneys. The Kidney Yu acupoint has the functions of tonifying the kidneys, assisting yang, strengthening the waist, promoting water metabolism, regulating kidney qi, strengthening the waist and spine, and improving hearing and vision.
Yin Ling Quan
1. Location:
The Yin Ling Quan acupoint is located on the inner side of the lower leg, below the posterior aspect of the medial malleolus.
2. Acupuncture point:
Sit upright with knees bent or lie supine, and the acupoint is located about level with the lower edge of the medial malleolus on the posterior side of the tibia.
3. Efficacy:
The earth energy of the spleen collects around this acupoint, and the water energy of the meridian infiltrates the earth. Gaseous substances follow the spleen meridian and travel upwards.
Cupping Method for Migraines
Identify the specific point of pain or tenderness for migraines, and select the Cheek Car (Yangming), Taiyang, Feng Chi (Shaoyang), and Feng Men (Taiyang) acupoints accordingly for cupping. Additionally, choose 1-2 other acupoints based on the condition and leave the cups on for 5-10 minutes.
Lifestyle Care for Migraines
Patients should pay attention to regulating their emotions to prevent emotional tension, anxiety, and mental fatigue. It is advisable to have a light diet. Women should rest during their menstrual period to avoid triggering headaches (treatment can be given before menstruation).
