Headaches. Ugh, right? We all know them and some more familiar with them more than others. Whether it’s that annoying, isolated throb or something that keeps sneaking up on you, there are many culprits behind those pain-in-the-head moments. From sinus issues to stress, teeth problems, fatigue, heart trouble, and even trauma, headaches can be a sign that something’s off in your body. When a headache starts messing with your day-to-day, it’s time to pay attention and find out why. After all, pain has a funny way of demanding action.
As a female, chances are you, may have had your fair share of headaches linked to hormones. Specifically, it’s a dip in estrogen that often leads to those classic menstrual headaches as your body preps for its next phase in your cycle. Throw in ergonomic factors like your sleep position, pillow height, your work setup, or even the design of your couch (yes, your couch can be a troublemaker), and headaches seem to have a knack for showing up.
But let’s zoom in on the headaches women know all too well – the ones that coincide with your cycle. Within Chinese medicine, headaches that appear before, during, or after your period often point to two things: exhaustion or emotional stress. And are more common than you realise.
Exhaustion: The Silent Culprit
When we talk about exhaustion in Chinese Medicine, it’s not just about being tired from a long day. It’s the feeling of your energy reserves (your Qi) being completely drained. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of women juggling careers, families, and every other thing under the sun, leaving them running on fumes. Whether it’s overworking, over-exercising, or being constantly pulled in a hundred different directions, when your Qi gets depleted, headaches are just one of the warning signs.
These headaches are often tight, dull, or boring and might start around the top of your head, then creep down into your neck. Throw in some dizziness, tired eyes, and poor sleep, and it’s no wonder you feel like you need a nap… or a holiday!
But here’s the kicker: The more sedentary you are, especially if you’re glued to a screen all day or sitting in less-than-ideal posture, the more likely you are to deplete your Yang Qi. This is especially true for women who are on their feet all day or burning the midnight oil. The body starts feeling the consequences of those long hours, and the headache follows just as you clock over to day 25 of your cycle coupled with a full moon!
Emotional Stress: A Headache’s Best Friend
Let’s be real. We’re all pretty terrible at dealing with emotional stress. It sneaks up on us and manifests as a headache that’s often sharp, intense, and leaves you feeling like someone’s trying to take up residence behind your eyes. Emotional stress, especially anger, worry, or frustration, messes with the flow of your Qi and often sends it shooting up toward your head. This can result in those classic stabbing, throbbing headaches in your temples or right behind your eyes.
If this happens around your period, you might also experience symptoms like red, sore eyes, nausea, and a painful, clotty period. Fun times, right?
Where’s Your Headache Located? The TCM Way
The cool thing about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that headaches aren’t just “headaches” – they’re categorized by their location on your head. When you see a practitioner, they’ll likely ask, “Where does it hurt?” And trust me, that’s not just small talk. It’s key to figuring out what’s going on with your body.
Let’s break it down:
- Frontal Headaches: These are usually dull, tight, or even throbbing and might show up across your forehead or in the sinus area. Think of them as the “I’ve been staring at a screen for hours” headache. They often come with sore muscles around the neck, jaw, and cheekbones. They can get worse in the heat and are made even worse by excess sugar, alcohol, or chocolate. And, with a period, might well make you feel really off or nauseated.
- Vertex Headaches: These ones are fun (sarcasm, obviously). They can affect your whole body, coming from your Liver meridian and experienced before a period begins and extending into a cycle. Expect dull pain with mental pressure or a tight, penetrating sensation accompanied by nausea. Overdoing it with Yang foods (like sugar or animal flesh) will make things worse. A little balance, some grounding grains, and vegetables are your friends here.
- Temple Headaches: Ah, the ones that make you want to crawl into a dark room and close your eyes. These usually hit behind your eyes and come with a side of discomfort down the neck and shoulders. They might feel dull, stabbing, or tight and are often triggered by oily, greasy foods. If this headache is coming right before or during your cycle, be mindful of your diet.
- Occipital Headaches: These headaches often start from tightness in your neck or scalp. If you’ve been under the weather, this might also show up as the start of a cold. It can be dull or deep, but sometimes it morphs into a throbbing sensation. Again, overloading on Yang foods makes this worse. Time to pull back and relax a bit.
- Deep Inside/Whole Head Headaches: If your headache feels like it’s taking up your entire head, there’s a good chance you’re dealing chronic Qi depletion. These headaches can be dull and heavy, leaving you wanting to do nothing but lie down. They can also feel like a splitting headache that just won’t go away. Your Liver Qi is likely nothappy with you at the moment.
Here’s the good news: acupuncture and herbal medicine are great at soothing, nourishing, and moving the Qi that’s stuck. And the best part? You don’t have to put in much effort to see big results. By treating the root cause (like your cycle or emotional stress), we can help those headaches become a thing of the past.
The next time you feel a headache creeping in, take a moment to think about where it’s coming from. Is it related to your cycle? Are you stressed or overworked? Your body’s trying to tell you something, and by listening to it, you can find relief – and maybe even a little peace of mind.