Anyone who has ever had a migraine knows how miserable it can be. In addition to the intense headache, many migraine sufferers also experience excessive sweating, nausea, and blurred vision. While modern medications can help manage symptoms, they often come with unwanted side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to health, and one acupoint that is particularly beneficial for migraines is the Clear Cold Abyss (Qing Leng Yuan, TE11).
A Timeless Remedy with a Refreshing Effect
Qing Leng Yuan was first documented in “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (The A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion),” one of the earliest comprehensive texts on acupuncture. This acupoint is also known as “Clear Cold Spring” because of its ability to dispel pathogenic heat in the Triple Energizer meridian. Ancient practitioners compared stimulating this point to cooling off in a refreshing stream, making it a top choice for clearing internal heat that can manifest as migraines and the accompanying symptoms. Beyond migraines, it has also been used in TCM to address conditions such as elbow pain and limited mobility in the arm.Scientific Studies Support Acupuncture for Migraines
Modern medicine is increasingly acknowledging acupuncture as a valid treatment for migraines. A review of 15 systematic studies found that acupuncture effectively reduces headache frequency, severity, and the need for painkillers. Although the methodological quality of some of these studies varied, the overall evidence strongly supports the effectiveness of acupuncture.One randomized controlled trial involving 150 patients who had never undergone acupuncture before demonstrated that manual acupuncture significantly decreased the number of migraine days and attacks compared to sham acupuncture. Sham acupuncture is a simulated or “fake” acupuncture treatment used in research as a control to evaluate the true efficacy of real acupuncture. This typically involves shallow or non-penetrating needling at points that are not known acupuncture sites. The positive effects of acupuncture were particularly noticeable during weeks 13 to 20, and no severe side effects were reported. These findings reinforce acupuncture’s position as a viable preventive treatment for migraines.
