Understanding the True Nature of 'Pain' through Eastern Medicine (Part 5)
What are you lacking that causes your headaches?
The concepts of Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, and Yin deficiency
Last time, I wrote about 'pain caused by lack of nourishment' (Bu Rong Ze Tong).
So, what kind of deficiency leads to headaches?
In Eastern medicine, we break down the lack of 'nourishing power' even further.
The most representative ones are
Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, and Yin deficiency
these three states.
These are slightly difficult terms, but if you read them from the perspective of 'what is lacking,' they become very easy to understand.
① Qi deficiency: Headaches caused by a lack of energy
'Qi' is like the energy that moves the body.
When this Qi is deficient,
• You tire easily
• Your body feels sluggish
• Your voice lacks strength
• You feel exhausted even from moving a little
you become prone to these kinds of states.
Headaches also,
'become heavier toward the evening' or 'feel a little better when resting'
are tendencies that can be observed.
Thinking, 'I've been pushing myself too hard lately.'
When that happens, it might be related to a lack of energy in your body.
② Blood deficiency: Headaches caused by a lack of nourishment
'Blood' plays the role of nourishment that sustains the entire body.
When blood is insufficient, the head does not receive enough nourishment.
Therefore,
・Dizziness upon standing
・Pale complexion
・Easily fatigued eyes
・Hair and skin prone to dryness
symptoms such as these may accompany it.
Headaches are
"dull and heavy" or "feeling lightheaded"
Some people describe them in such ways.
With blood deficiency, it is important to "nourish thoroughly."
③ Yin Deficiency: Headaches due to lack of moisture
"Yin" has the function of moisturizing the body and calming heat.
When Yin is insufficient, the body cannot effectively cool down its internal heat.
Therefore,
・Prone to feeling hot
・Night sweats
・Dry mouth or throat
・Symptoms tend to appear from evening to night
are characteristics that may be observed.
Headaches may also
"feel feverish" or "have a sensation of rising heat"
accompany them.
This type tends to worsen during hot seasons or when sleep deprivation continues.
Even with the same 'fatigue,' the underlying cause is different
"I have a headache because I am tired."
When you hear that, it all sounds the same.
However, in Eastern medicine,
Is there a lack of energy?
Is there a lack of nutrition?
Is there a lack of moisture?
We believe that the burden on the body and the methods of self-care change depending on these differences.
That is why in Eastern medicine,
"You are tired."
is not where it ends.
"What is missing?"
We think through to that point.
Knowing 'what is lacking' is the first step to self-care
Rest when you are tired.
That is also very important.
But if you have the perspective of "what is becoming deficient," the way you interact with your body will change even more.
Should you replenish energy?
Should you nourish nutrition?
Should you restore moisture?
Eastern medicine values the 'way of nourishing' that is tailored to the individual.
Next time, we will finally decipher the 'location of headaches'
Up to this point,
'Pain caused by poor flow (pain due to obstruction)'
'Pain caused by lack of nourishment (pain due to deficiency)'
We have looked at headaches from these two perspectives.
In this final installment, I will introduce one more perspective from Eastern medicine.
The frontal region, the temporal region, the occipital region...
Actually, the location of the headache also has meaning.
In Eastern medicine, we decipher the state of the body based on the relationship between the site of the headache and the meridians.
The final part of this series is about 'headaches viewed by location'.
*Strictly speaking, headaches cannot be classified solely by Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, or Yin deficiency. They are classified in even greater detail, such as Yang deficiency or essence-blood deficiency. This time, I have broadly categorized them into three as a more common approach.