Migraine is a type of intense, periodically returning headache, usually limited to one side of the head. Clinically, there are many variant forms. However, the most common migraine is simply pain in one side of the head. Migraine headaches can affect many people although women are slightly more susceptible than men.

If the headache is associated with flashing lights or blindness, or numbness on one side of the head, it is called “classic” migraine or migraine with “aura”. However, only 20% of people with migraine have auras. If you do not have an aura, your headache may still be a migraine. Clinical treatment should be sought in the early stages. Clinical treatment should be sought in the early stages.

Migraine headaches are usually linked to stress in modern medicine. This is in agreement with the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. Migraine has been related to the functioning of liver and heart in Chinese medicine. One of the main purposes of the liver and heart is to regulate the mood. When they are functioning normally, the human body is able to co-ordinate mental activities effectively, which is indicated by feelings of happiness and sensitivity, being at ease and able to reason. Otherwise, people may feel under stressed, which can trigger migraine.

There is no medical test that can specifically diagnose migraine. Migraine can only be diagnosed by effectively communicating your symptoms to your doctor.

To evaluate your headaches, your doctor will likely ask about the severity, frequency, and duration of your headache, inquire about any other symptoms that accompany your headaches and take a detailed medical history, including any medications that you may be taking.

Migraine has been diagnosed and effectively treated for thousand of years in Chinese medicine. The principle of treatment is to restore and maintain the harmony between various organs within the human body and the harmony between body and surrounding nature. Acupuncture is a method which can unblock the energy channel of the body, and regulate the functions of liver and heart. Chinese herbal medicine can also be tailored to suit individual conditions and help people calm down, thus remove the cause of migraine.