Headache
头痛 (Tóu Tòng)
A Chinese medicine perspective — in everyday language
Abdominal distension is a feeling of fullness, bloating, pressure or discomfort in the abdomen. It may affect the upper abdomen or the whole abdominal area and can occur with or without visible swelling.
How are headaches understood in Chinese medicine?
In Chinese medicine, headaches are not seen as a single condition.
They are understood through patterns — looking at how the pain feels, where it appears, and what may be influencing it.
Heart
— mental clarity & awareness
The Heart is associated with the Shen — the mind, awareness and our ability to perceive and process experiences clearly.
Spleen
— focus & concentration
The Spleen is associated with our ability to concentrate, think clearly and hold our attention. When it is weakened, forgetfulness may occur alongside mental fatigue, poor concentration or excessive thinking.
Kidneys
— deeper memory & ageing
Kidney Essence is traditionally associated with the storage and retrieval of memory over time. It naturally declines with age and may also be affected by prolonged exhaustion or overwork.
Rather than viewing forgetfulness as one single pattern, Chinese medicine considers which of these functions may be struggling and what may be contributing to the change.
Explore Headache Patterns
Chinese medicine recognises different patterns that may contribute to headaches. Explore the categories below to see how each may present and what may support it.
This overview is shared for education and understanding.
It does not replace medical diagnosis or care.
Persistent, severe, or changing headaches should always be assessed by a medical professional.