Eye Strain Headache - Liver-Yang Hyperactivity Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Eye Strain Headache · Liver-Yang Hyperactivity Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Liver-Yang Hyperactivity is a pattern in eye strain headache, characterized by accommodative spasm with intraocular pressure fluctuation, throbbing headache, red eyes, dizziness, and irritability. The core pathogenesis is Liver-Yang hyperactivity disturbing the upper body, causing ciliary muscle hypertonicity, intraocular pressure fluctuation, and headache.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Throbbing headache, red eyes, dizziness, eye strain |

| Associated Symptoms | Irritability, tinnitus, insomnia, dry mouth |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow coating, wiry and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Liver-Yang hyperactivity disturbing the upper body |

| Etiology | Emotional stress, anger, prolonged screen use, lack of sleep |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Taichong (LR3) | Dorsum of the foot, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals | Source point of Liver meridian; calms Liver-Yang |

| Fengchi (GB20) | Depression below the occipital bone, between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius | Disperses Wind and calms Liver-Yang |

| Taiyang (EX-HN5) | In the depression at the temple | Relieves headache and eye strain |

| Baihui (GV20) | On the midline of the head, 5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline | Calms the spirit and clears the head |

| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Nourishes Kidney-Yin to anchor Liver-Yang |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method for Liver points, reinforcing method for Kidney points.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (天麻钩藤饮)

Composition:

Gastrodia (Tian Ma), Uncaria (Gou Teng), Abalone Shell (Shi Jue Ming), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Eucommia (Du Zhong), Loranthus (Sang Ji Sheng), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Leonurus (Yi Mu Cao), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Calms Liver-Yang, extinguishes Wind, and relieves headache.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Throbbing headache | Add Tian Ma, Gou Teng to calm Liver-Yang |

| Red eyes | Add Ju Hua, Xia Ku Cao to clear Liver Fire |

| Insomnia | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |

| Dizziness | Add Tian Ma, Gou Teng to extinguish Wind |

Western Mechanism Reference

Accommodative spasm with intraocular pressure fluctuation, sympathetic overactivity, and ciliary muscle hypertonicity. Liver-Yang Hyperactivity corresponds to eye strain headache with sympathetic overactivity, where ciliary muscle hypertonicity and sympathetic activation contribute to intraocular pressure fluctuation and headache.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Liver-Yang Hyperactivity.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Liver-Yang Hyperactivity → Cross-layer.

  3. WHO. (2023). Vision and eye health. World Health Organization.

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