Head Vertex Swellingaccording to TCM

What is Head Vertex Swelling?

Head vertex swelling refers to an abnormal puffiness or a raised area located at the top of the skull, where the hair spirals out from the crown. This condition may arise due to a variety of causes, including injury, inflammation, infection, or other underlying health issues. The swelling can be isolated to a small area or encompass a larger region, sometimes accompanied by pain, discomfort, or sensitivity to touch.

How does TCM view Head Vertex Swelling?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets head vertex swelling as a manifestation of an internal imbalance, often involving what is known as Dampness or Wind in the body. TCM theory suggests that such swellings could be symptomatic of Qi Stagnation, where vital energy is blocked, or a result of pathological changes in the body's moisture balance.

Treatment focuses on identifying the specific pattern of disharmony, a complex TCM concept that explains the nature of a disease based on a unique constellation of symptoms and signs. Restoring harmony, therefore, involves pattern differentiation, a crucial step that informs a tailored treatment strategy to promote healing and balance.

Acupoints for Head Vertex Swelling

For the treatment of head vertex swelling, TCM recommends acupuncture at specific acupoints. One such point is Qianding DU-21, situated along the Governing Vessel meridian. This point is traditionally believed to expel pathogenic Wind, a TCM term associated with sudden symptoms like swelling.

Another significant point is Qucha BL-4 on the Bladder meridian, which is utilized for its reputed ability to clear Wind-Heat — thought to contribute to inflammation and discomfort — and to offer relief for the head and sensory organs. These acupoints are part of a broader network used in TCM to address the physical manifestations as well as the energetic disharmonies that are believed to underlie them.

Explore below some acupoints used to address head vertex swelling, organized by meridian.

Qianding DU-21

On the midline, 1.5 cun anterior to Baihui DU-20 or 3.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline.

Qucha BL-4

0.5 cun superior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline, at the junction of the medial third and lateral two-thirds of the distance from anterior midline to Touwei ST-8.