Headaches are among the most common complaints in clinical practice. Their frequency makes them seem straightforward—just another simple problem with an over-the-counter solution. Patients expect quick relief, and doctors often assume they know the cause.
However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) reminds us that not all headaches are created equal. Instead of masking symptoms with pharmaceuticals, TCM looks deeper into the pattern of imbalance. One such approach lies in an unlikely place: the side of your hand. Let’s see how the acupoint Front Valley (Qian Gu, SI2) offers targeted relief.
Ancient Insights
Qian Gu was first described in the “Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot),” one of the core texts of acupuncture theory. It is classified as a Ying-Spring point. These points are known for their ability to clear internal heat from the associated meridian or energetic pathway, usually linked to specific internal organs. According to the “Nan Jing,” a classic text known as the “Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Eighty-One Difficult Issues,” Ying-Spring points are particularly effective in treating conditions where heat affects the body’s internal systems.
Moreen Liao
R.Ph. of TCM (Taiwan)
Moreen was born into a family with a lineage of four generations of traditional Chinese medicine doctors and professors.
She was Dean of the Natural Therapies Institute in Sydney, Australia.
Drawing on her family heritage, she created a certified organic wellness brand, and co-founded the largest Chinese medical image encyclopedia online.
