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Scalp acupuncture

tóu zhēn

Fine needles in zones of the scalp that lie over areas of the brain. We use several scalp systems, across many conditions: most of all eye care, stroke and neurological recovery, and also pain and a nervous system that will not settle.

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Two lenses, one plan

Here the Western lens leads, with the classical lens alongside.

The Western lensAnatomy, physiology, biomechanics

Zones over the brain

There are several scalp acupuncture systems, Chinese and Japanese, and we use more than one. Most place fine needles just under the skin in zones that lie over areas of the brain such as the motor, sensory, speech, balance and visual areas, and they are used in many conditions. It is thought to add input to those areas, and it is often combined with movement while the needles are in.

In eye care
Zones over the visual cortex at the back of the head, alongside M48 work aimed at the eye itself.
In stroke recovery
Zones chosen for the deficit, such as movement, sensation, speech or balance, paired with movement rehab in the office.
Beyond the eyes and stroke
Scalp systems are also used for nerve pain and numbness, tremor and other movement disorders, headaches and pain, and for calming the nervous system in stress and poor sleep.
How it feels
The needles lie almost flat under the scalp. Most people feel a dull pressure at most, and you can usually move and talk while they are in.

The classical lensChannels, patterns, the five phases

The sea of marrow

The classics call the brain the sea of marrow, filled by the Kidney essence. The Governing Vessel and the yang channels all meet on the head, and scalp points sit where they cross.

How we work: one plan

Used across many conditions, most of all in eye care, stroke recovery and neurological conditions, combined with body points, electro-acupuncture when appropriate, and movement.

Several systems

There is no single scalp acupuncture. Several systems, Chinese and Japanese, map the scalp in different ways, and we use more than one, choosing the system that fits the problem.

How it works

The scalp is mapped into zones that lie over areas of the brain, such as the motor, sensory, speech, balance and visual areas. Needles are placed along the zones that match the problem. The idea is to add input to those areas of the brain, and it is often paired with movement while the needles are in.

In eye care

Zones over the visual cortex, at the back of the head, are combined with M48 micro acupuncture for the eye itself, with Master Tung's points and electro-stimulation when appropriate.

In stroke recovery

Zones are chosen for your deficits and combined with the Xing Nao Kai Qiao stroke system, electro-acupuncture when appropriate, and movement rehab done in the office, with exercises to take home. See stroke recovery.

Other conditions

Scalp systems are also used for nerve pain and numbness, tremor and other movement disorders, headaches and other pain, and to help calm the nervous system in stress and poor sleep. On internal medicine visits they are one acupuncture system among several, chosen from your pattern.

Questions people ask

Does scalp acupuncture hurt?

The needles are very fine and lie almost flat under the skin. Most people feel a dull pressure at most. Tell us if anything feels sharp and we will adjust it.

Can I move while the needles are in?

Usually, yes. In stroke recovery we often ask you to move the affected limb, or practice a task, while the needles are in place.

Often part of care for

41 conditions in our library list this as part of how we work with them. It is always one part of a plan chosen from your assessment.

Eyes and vision

Brain, nerves and stroke

Headaches and jaw

Arthritis and widespread pain

Metabolism and thyroid

Sleep, stress and mood

Women's health and fertility

Heart and circulation

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