Angioneurotic headache usually has family history and is

frequently seen. Clinically angioneurotic headache is unilateral

and recurrent, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and
dizziness. Headache could be released in a quiet or dark
environment or after having a rest. Before or during the
episode, it is usually accompanied by neurological or mental
dysfunctions. It is similar to headache and severe intermittent
headache in TCM. Beside the exogenous pathogenesis, it is
more related with factors such as constitution, emotions, diet
and so on. which lead to the retention of wind, or hyperactivity
of liver yang, or obstruction of the collaterals in the brain by
phlegm and stagnation, or malnutrition of the brain due to
asthenia of Yin, Yang, qi and blood. It is treated by herbs for
dispersing pathogenic wind, dredging collaterals, promoting
blood circulation to relieve pain.
Treatment
Baihui (DU20)
DU20 should be needled horizonally forward or backward with a
30angle, according to the headache location .with the
moderate stimulation, twirling-rotating and patient having
strong needling sensation, manipulated at intervals, and
retained for the longer time than usual. It is treated once a day
or once every other day, and 10-15 times make up one course
of treatment.
Taiyang ( EX-HN5 )
This is an extra point locating in the depression about 1 fingerbreadth posterior to the middle point between the lateral end of
the eyebrow and the outer cantus. It is needled 0.3-0.5 curt
obliquely backwards, with the method of twirling-rotating and
lifting-thrusting at moderate stimulation to make the local area
or faces feeling sour and distension, finally kept for half an
hour. It is done once every day or once every other day, 10
times make up one course of treatment. It can also be pricked
for bloodletting if there is blood stasis in the local collaterals
with three-edged needle at the depth of 0.5-1 curt. which can
be used together with cupping in the same point for 10-20
minutes after pricking.
Fengchi (GB20)
GB20 is needled horizontally 1 curt with twirling method,
manipulated at intervals and kept for 20-30 rain. till needling
sensation being transmitted to the whole temple or forehead,
which is applied once every day or once every other day for 1015 sessions. It also can be given point injection usually with
Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, procaine, 10% glucose injection or
saline water at amount of 0.5 ml in each point.
Fengfu (DU16)
Patients should sit in promotion to keep the neck muscle
relaxing. The needle tip must be slowly inserted toward the
mandible about 1-1.2 curt with mild manipulation till shock
sensation appeared locally or in the limbs before withdrawing
the needle. It is done every day or every other day for ten
sessions as a course.

Neiguan (PC6)
At first the pressing hand pushes firmly against the area
between PC7 and PC6 in order to induce the needling sensation
toward to the elbow instead of the hands.
Then needle is obliquely upwards inserted at depth of 1 curt for
30 minutes. Treatment is required one time a day for 10 times
as one course. It is effective to those who
have headache with temple strongly blowing.
Lieque (LU7)
Patients should sit or lay and is strictly and ordinarily sterilized.
The point in the affected side is selected and is punctured 0.5-1
cun to the elbow with mild reducing and reinforcing needling
method after the arrival of qi. To keep the effect, The
subcutaneous needle can be embedded in the same point after
withdrawing the needle for 1-7 days.
Note
Acupuncture therapy has better effective rate at the beginning
when the aching is not severe. They can obviously release the
headache attack, but it is difficulty to immediately check the
pain. For recurrent headache, the therapeutic course should be
given regularly. If the headache attack is related with
menstruation circle, the patients should be treated before
menstruation period.
The patients are required to have strong needling sensation by
the way of being manipulated at intervals, and retained longer
than usual or is applied together with electric needle, and ear
needling method in order to promote immediate effect.