Many patients come in with tension headaches, jaw tightness, and neck pain that seem to build over the course of the day or week. Often, they have tried stretching, hydration, or over-the-counter medications, but the tension keeps returning.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, this pattern is often related to the Liver system.
When Stress Gets Stuck in the Body
In Chinese medicine, the Liver is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the body. When we are under stress, overwhelmed, or holding in emotions, that flow can become constrained.
When Qi stagnates, pressure builds.
And when that pressure rises upward, it can lead to what we call Liver Yang Rising.
This pattern commonly shows up as:
• Headaches, especially at the temples or sides of the head
• Jaw clenching or TMJ discomfort
• Neck and shoulder tightness
• Irritability or a feeling of being “on edge”
• Sleep disturbances, especially waking between 1–3am
The body is not malfunctioning when this happens. It is responding intelligently to pressure that has not had a chance to move.
For many people, the jaw becomes a place where that pressure is held.
As I often tell patients, your jaw is not a storage unit for stress.
Supporting the Body to Release Tension
One of the goals of acupuncture is to help the body restore its natural flow.
When Qi begins to move more smoothly, many patients notice that their headaches become less frequent or less intense. Their shoulders soften. Their sleep improves. Their nervous system has a chance to settle.
There are also simple tools you can use at home to support this process.
Acupressure points such as Taiyang, located at the temples, can help relieve headache pressure when gently massaged. SJ5, located on the outer forearm, is often used to release tension in the neck and upper body.
Food and herbs can also play a role. Cooling foods such as mint tea and cucumber can help calm rising tension. In herbal medicine, Gou Teng is commonly used to help settle Liver Yang and support the body in releasing built-up pressure.
These approaches work best when combined with regular care that addresses the underlying pattern, rather than only managing symptoms as they arise.
Care Is Not Just What Happens in the Treatment Room
Over time, I have come to see that healing is not only about the treatments patients receive. It is also about the broader network of care that surrounds them.
As an acupuncturist, I often refer patients to other practitioners, including physical therapists, massage therapists, reproductive specialists, and mental health providers. These referrals are an important part of supporting patients in a comprehensive way.
Because of that, I take my referral network seriously.
Referrals are not only about professional qualifications. They are also about whether I feel confident that my patients will be treated with respect, dignity, and care.
Patients come from many different backgrounds and experiences. For some, seeking healthcare already requires vulnerability and trust. The environments they enter matter.
Why I Recently Updated My Referral Network
Like many practitioners, I periodically review who I refer to.
Recently, a conversation within my professional community prompted me to reflect more deeply on this. I was surprised to learn that some practitioners hold views that, in my opinion, could make certain patients feel unsafe or unwelcome.
That realization led me to take a closer look at my referral list and make some updates.
My intention is not to create division. It is to ensure that when I refer a patient, I can do so with confidence that they will be entering a space where they are treated with care and respect.
Healing Requires Safety
In Chinese medicine, we often talk about creating the conditions for the body to heal.
Safety is one of those conditions.
When the nervous system feels safe, the body is more able to rest, regulate, and repair. When a person feels respected and supported, they are more likely to engage in their care and experience meaningful change.
This is true whether we are talking about acupuncture, mental health care, or any other form of treatment.
A Holistic Approach to Care
Headaches and jaw tension are not just physical issues. They are often reflections of how we are moving through the world, how we are holding stress, and whether we feel supported in our lives.
Addressing them effectively means looking at the whole picture:
• The physical body
• The nervous system
• Daily habits and stress patterns
• The care networks we rely on
If you are experiencing headaches, jaw tension, or chronic stress, you do not have to manage it alone.
Acupuncture can help your body release what it has been holding and return to a more balanced state.
And if you ever need support beyond acupuncture, I am always happy to help you find practitioners who will meet you with care, respect, and professionalism.
Ready to feel better?
You can book a session here:
lisameyersonacupuncture.janeapp.com
Lisa Meyerson
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