Temporal Headaches

How Chinese medicine differentiates temporal (side-of-head) headaches into the three patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Migraine and Headache pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. New temple pain in someone over 50, especially with jaw pain on chewing, scalp tenderness or vision change, needs same-day medical assessment. A sudden severe headache needs urgent care.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for temporal headaches — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
G.B.-20	Expels exterior Wind. Extinguishes interior Wind. Subdues Liver-Yang.
G.B.-8	Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Harmonizes the Stomach and subdues rebellious Stomach-Qi.
LIV-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.

The Three Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Gall Bladder Heat

Clinical manifestations: Throbbing, distending pain at the temples; bitter taste; alternating hot and cold sensations; irritability; rib-side fullness; dry throat; dark yellow urine.

Tongue: Red with redder sides, dry yellow coat, thicker on the right. Pulse: Wiry and rapid, forceful at the left middle position.

Treatment principle: Harmonizes the Shaoyang, clears Gall Bladder Heat and soothes the Liver.

G.B.-20 ↓ G.B.-8 ↓ LIV-3 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓

Note: no moxa. This site's Gall Bladder deck has no plain Gall Bladder Heat slide — no pattern link is given here.

2. Damp-Heat in the Gall Bladder View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Heavy, oppressive temple pain; nausea; aversion to greasy food; heaviness in the body and head; chest tightness; rib-side distension; bitter taste.

Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, redder sides, yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Wiry, slippery and rapid.

Treatment principle: Clears Liver and Gall Bladder Heat, harmonizes the Shaoyang and clears Damp-Heat.

G.B.-8 ↓ ST-40 ↓ SP-9 ↓

Note: no moxa.

3. Liver Qi Stagnation Turning into Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Explosive anger and irritability; distending or burning rib pain; red face and eyes; bitter taste; headache worse with emotional stress.

Tongue: Red, redder along the sides, yellow coat. Pulse: Wiry and rapid, forceful at the left middle position.

Treatment principle: Soothes stagnant Liver Qi, clears Heat and calms the Mind.

LIV-3 ↓ LIV-2 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓

Note: no moxa.

Related conditions

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