Vertex Headacheaccording to TCM

What is Vertex Headache?

A vertex headache, often felt as a pain at the crown or top of the head, is a specific type of headache that targets the uppermost part of the skull. It's characterized by a pressing or pulsating discomfort and can vary in intensity. This type of headache can be an isolated symptom or part of broader headache disorders.

How does TCM view Vertex Headache?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets a vertex headache as a signal of imbalance within the body's harmonious state. Rather than treating the symptom alone, TCM practitioners seek to understand the root cause related to the body's pathways, or meridians.

Recognizing the correct pattern of disharmony — be it an Excess or Deficiency — is pivotal in TCM, as it guides the therapeutic approach to restore balance and alleviate the headache.

Acupoints for Vertex Headache

In TCM, specific acupoints are believed to correspond with certain health concerns, including vertex headaches. One such point is Qianding DU-21, found on the midline of the head. This point is traditionally used to dispel Wind, one of the pathogenic factors in TCM thought to contribute to headaches.

Its location, about 1.5 cun anterior to Baihui DU-20 or 3.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, is strategically chosen to target the vertex area specifically, where the pain is most acute. The stimulation of DU-21 is intended to release trapped energy and alleviate the pressure felt during a vertex headache.

See more details below about Qianding DU-21, an acupoint used to address vertex headache.

Qianding DU-21

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