Although migraine is not a serious illness, it can be very debilitating when it occurs. Traditional Chinese gua sha therapy has good relieving effects on many diseases, so where is the most effective place to perform gua sha therapy for migraines?
Where is the most effective place for gua sha therapy for migraines?
1. Acupoint selection
Acupoints:
Fengchi, Yifeng, Touwei, Shuai Gu, Taiyang, Hegu, Lieque, Yanglingquan, Fenglong, Xuehai, Zusanli, Zulinqi, Yintang.
Acupoint selection method:
Fengchi: Located below the occipital bone on both sides, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trapezius muscle.
Touwei: Located on the side of the head, 0.5 inches above the hairline at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 inches from the midline of the head.
Shuai Gu: Straight up from the earlobe, 1.5 inches into the hairline.
Taiyang: In the depressions behind the ends of the eyebrows.
Lieque: On the forearm, 1.5 inches above the styloid process of the radius, on the upper side of the wrist crease.
Yanglingquan: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, in the depression below the head of the fibula.
Fenglong: 8 inches above the tip of the outer ankle, 1 inch outside the tibial crest, 1.5 inches outside the anterior crest of the tibia.
Xuehai: On the inner side of the thigh, 2 inches above the inner end of the patella, at the prominence of the inner head of the quadriceps femoris.
Zusanli: 3 inches below the knee, 1 inch from the anterior border of the tibia.
Zulinqi: On the outside of the foot, between the 4th and 5th toes, at the junction of the red and white flesh on the back of the toes.
Yintang: The midpoint between the eyebrows.
Yifeng: At the root of the earlobe, in the depression between the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the posterior edge of the lower jaw.
Hegu: Located on the back of the hand, in the depression between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals.
2. Gua sha method
The gua sha tool used is a water buffalo horn gua sha board, and the medium used is red flower oil. The scraping method used is direct scraping, and the technique used is even replenishing and draining method.
Scraping sequence: Start by scraping the Fengchi acupoints on the neck, then massage the Yifeng, Touwei, Shuai Gu, and Taiyang acupoints on the head. After that, scrape the Hegu and Lieque acupoints on the hands, and then scrape the Yanglingquan, Fenglong, Xuehai, Zusanli, and Zulinqi acupoints on the lower limbs. Finally, perform bleeding on the Yintang and Taiyang acupoints.
Specific operation method:
(1) Apply red flower oil evenly on Fengchi, Hegu, Lieque, Yanglingquan, Fenglong, Xuehai, Zusanli, and Zulinqi acupoints.
(2) Use the corner or edge of the gua sha board to scrape the Fengchi, Hegu, Lieque, Yanglingquan, and Zulinqi acupoints, focusing on small areas or depressions, grooves, or concave areas.
(3) Use the flat edge of the gua sha board to scrape the Fenglong, Xuehai, and Zusanli acupoints diagonally.
(4) Use the thumb to massage the Yifeng, Touwei, Shuai Gu, and Taiyang acupoints, with moderate pressure.
(5) Strictly disinfect the Yintang and Taiyang acupoints, and then use a sterilized small triangular needle to prick them and draw 3-5 drops of blood.
3. Indications
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the main cause of migraines is liver qi stagnation, liver yang hyperactivity, and disturbance of the clear and empty channels. The above gua sha methods have the effect of soothing the liver and relieving pain, and are suitable for migraine patients. Migraine symptoms include severe throbbing pain, lasting attacks, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, sweating, increased heart rate, and other symptoms.
4. Treatment course
5 sessions constitute one treatment course. Most patients can recover after 1-2 treatment courses, some show improvement, and a small number show no effect.
During the treatment, it is important to maintain good sleep habits, engage in appropriate physical exercise, and ensure an adequate amount of sleep.
Pros and cons of gua sha therapy
1. Pros
(1) Promotes metabolic waste elimination. The human body undergoes constant metabolic activities every day, and the waste produced during the metabolism needs to be eliminated in a timely manner. Gua sha can help remove the metabolic "garbage" from the body and deposit it in the pores under the skin, allowing the blood flow to be smooth and restoring natural metabolic vitality.
(2) Relieves muscle tension and promotes blood circulation. More and more people suffer from cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, and back pain due to damage to the "soft tissues" (joint capsules, ligaments, fascia, etc.) of the body. When the soft tissues are damaged, the muscles will be in a state of tension, contraction, or even spasm, resulting in pain. If not treated in time, it can lead to adhesion, fibrosis, or scar formation, worsening the condition. Gua sha can relax the muscles, relieve pain, and promote the recovery of the affected area.
(3) Adjusts the balance of yin and yang. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the balance of yin and yang in the body. Gua sha has a dual regulatory effect on the body's functions, improving and adjusting the functions of the organs, and restoring balance.
2. Cons
The disadvantages of gua sha are usually due to not paying attention to contraindications and improper operation.
(1) Frequent gua sha without moderation can cause damage to the tissues outside the skin, which not only does not help relieve fatigue but also increases the burden on the body.
(2) For people with weak qi and blood, gua sha can consume their energy. Regular gua sha can cause symptoms such as mental fatigue, general weakness, and dizziness, making the body worse.
(3) For people with skin ulcers or other skin diseases, gua sha is not enjoyable but torturous. It can cause greater damage to already fragile skin tissue and even lead to infection, worsening the condition.
(4) For certain people with blood disorders or problems with cardiac or liver function, gua sha should be avoided to prevent further harm to the body.
Precautions for gua sha therapy
1. Precautions before gua sha
(1) Gua sha therapy requires exposed skin, and the skin pores are open during gua sha. If exposed to cold wind, external pathogenic factors can directly enter the body through the open pores, affecting the effectiveness of gua sha therapy and even causing new diseases. Therefore, it is important to choose a good treatment location with fresh and ventilated air, pay attention to keeping warm, and avoid drafts. Expose as little skin as possible.
(2) Choose a comfortable position for gua sha to facilitate scraping and prevent dizziness.
(3) The gua sha tool must be strictly disinfected to prevent cross-infection. Carefully inspect the gua sha tool before scraping to avoid skin injuries.
(4) The hands of the practitioner should also be disinfected.
(5) Before scraping, explain the general knowledge of gua sha to the patient to eliminate their fear and gain their cooperation, in order to avoid dizziness.
(6) Do not perform gua sha treatment on patients who are too hungry, too full, or excessively nervous.
2. Precautions during gua sha
(1) The scraping technique should be evenly applied with moderate force, based on the patient's tolerance, until petechiae appear.
(2) For infants, young children, and the elderly, the scraping technique should be gentle.
(3) Do not blindly pursue petechiae and use excessive force or extend the scraping time. The amount of petechiae is influenced by various factors. In general, blood stasis patterns produce more petechiae; excess patterns and heat patterns produce more petechiae; deficiency patterns and cold patterns produce fewer petechiae; excessive medication, especially the use of corticosteroids, make it difficult to produce petechiae; obesity and muscular individuals are less likely to have petechiae; yin channels are less likely to have petechiae compared to yang channels; it is difficult to produce petechiae in a low room temperature environment.
(4) During the scraping process, frequently ask the patient about their feelings. If dizziness occurs, such as mental fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, nausea, cold sweat, palpitations, or decreased blood pressure, stop scraping immediately. Comfort the patient and help them lie down, keep them warm, and offer warm water or sweetened water. If the symptoms do not improve, gently press the Shuigou acupoint with the corner of the gua sha board, with light pressure, to avoid swelling after the acupoint is pressed. Use the draining scraping method on Baihui and Yongquan acupoints. After the patient's condition improves, continue scraping the Neiguan acupoint and Zusanli acupoint.
3. Precautions after gua sha
(1) Gua sha treatment opens the sweat pores and eliminates external pathogenic factors. It also consumes some body fluids. Therefore, after gua sha treatment, drink a cup of warm water and rest for a while.
(2) After gua sha treatment, in order to prevent the invasion of external pathogenic factors, wait for the skin pores to close and return to their original state before taking a bath, which usually takes about 3 hours.
(3) For patients with complex and critical conditions, gua sha treatment should be combined with other therapies, such as medication, to avoid delaying the condition.
Where is the most effective place for headache massage?
1. Acupoint selection
Acupoints:
Taiyang, Yintang, Yangbai, Touwei, Shangxing, Shenting, Baihui, Shuai Gu, Fengchi, Toulinqi, Nao Kong, Fengfu, and other acupoints.
Acupoint selection method:
Taiyang: Between the eyebrows, about 1 inch above the outer corner of the eye.
Yintang: The midpoint between the eyebrows.
Yangbai: On the forehead, 1 inch above the pupil, above the eyebrow.
Touwei: On the side of the head, 0.5 inches above the hairline at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 inches from the midline of the head.
Shangxing: On the head, straight up from the middle of the hairline, 1 inch.
Shenting: On the head, straight up from the middle of the hairline, 0.5 inches.
Baihui: On the head, straight up from the middle of the hairline, 5 inches.
Shuai Gu: On the head, 1.5 inches above the hairline at the corner of the forehead, in the middle of the line connecting Shenting and Touwei.
Fengchi: On the back of the head, below the occipital bone on both sides, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trapezius muscle, parallel to Fengfu.
Toulinqi: On the head, 0.5 inches above the hairline at the corner of the forehead, at the midpoint between Shenting and Touwei.
Nao Kong: Located in the head, 2.25 inches outside the prominent edge of the occiput, parallel to Fengfu.
Fengfu: On the back of the head, 1 inch above the hairline at the middle of the occiput, between the occipital protuberance and the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between the trapezius muscles.
2. Massage method
(1) The patient sits, and the practitioner stands in front of the patient.
(2) Use both hands with fingertips placed on the most painful area of the head, and gently and quickly massage back and forth like combing hair for 100 times. Do this three times a day, before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to effectively relieve the pain.
3. Treatment course
10 days constitute one treatment course. For mild cases, one treatment course is sufficient. For more severe or persistent cases, perform the massage once daily or every other day until all symptoms disappear.
6 methods for quickly relieving headaches
Method 1: Comb and massage the pain points
Place the fingertips of both hands on the most painful area of the head and gently and quickly comb and massage back and forth for one hundred times. Do this once before breakfast, lunch, and dinner to effectively reduce the pain.
Method 2: Soak hands in hot water
When a migraine attack occurs, soak both hands in warm water for about half an hour to dilate the blood vessels in the hands, slow down blood supply to the brain, and thereby alleviate the migraine.
Method 3: Eat foods rich in magnesium
Foods rich in magnesium can effectively relieve migraines, such as oranges, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, seaweed, soybeans, coarse grains, and various green leafy vegetables. Additionally, migraine sufferers should try to consume less coffee and red wine.
Method 4: Drink strong mint tea
Brew 15 grams of dried mint leaves in hot water that has just boiled, and drink it after 5 minutes. Take it once in the morning and once at night. This is very helpful for the treatment of migraines.
Method 5: Massage the Yian acupoint
In the morning or before going to bed, use the middle finger of both hands to press and rotate the Yian acupoint in circles. Start with clockwise rotation for seven to eight circles, then counterclockwise rotation for seven to eight circles, repeat this process many times, and continue for several consecutive days to significantly reduce migraines.
Method 6: Apply a hot towel
When experiencing a headache, place a clean towel in a basin filled with hot water, squeeze out the excess water, fold it flat, and press it on the temples, nose, or back of the head and neck, specifically targeting the Fengchi acupoint. This can alleviate the symptoms.
