[FAN Gangqi's experience in "four-dimensional" diagnosis and treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxibusition].

This article describes Professor FAN Gangqi's comprehensive approach to treating migraines using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. The professor has developed a "four-dimensional" diagnostic framework that examines multiple aspects of each patient's condition: the nature of the illness itself, the specific TCM patterns and underlying mechanisms, what stage the migraine is in, and the patient's individual body constitution. This thorough assessment allows for highly personalized treatment plans. For treatment, Professor FAN uses different acupuncture strategies depending on whether the migraine is in an acute phase or chronic phase. During acute attacks, he applies strong needle stimulation focused on immediate pain relief. For chronic migraines between attacks, needles are retained longer to achieve lasting effects. The professor emphasizes targeting neurovascular pathways, which are believed to be key routes for treating migraines effectively. He also advocates combining acupuncture with herbal medications, noting that acupuncture alone may have weaker effects but becomes much more powerful when combined with appropriate herbs. The treatment approach incorporates various specialized acupuncture techniques including horizontal row-like needling, specific point selections like Taiyang and Fengchi, acupoint injections, and thread-embedding therapy. This comprehensive, individualized approach represents an integration of traditional TCM diagnostic principles with practical clinical strategies for migraine management. Patients interested in this approach should seek a qualified acupuncturist trained in traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics and experienced in treating migraines.

This clinical review presents Professor FAN Gangqi's systematic approach to migraine treatment using a "four-dimensional" diagnostic framework: identifying disease nature, analyzing TCM patterns and pathogenesis, determining illness stage, and assessing individual constitution. The treatment protocol differentiates between acute and chronic phases—employing strong stimulation for immediate analgesia during acute attacks versus needle retention for sustained effects in chronic stages. Professor FAN advocates targeting neurovascular pathways as the primary therapeutic mechanism and emphasizes integrating acupuncture with herbal medications to enhance clinical outcomes. The methodology encompasses multiple specialized techniques including horizontal row-like needling, collateral needling at Taiyang (EX-HN5), the "Sankong" point combination (Yuyao EX-HN4, Sibai ST2, Jiachengjiang), acupoint injections at Tianyou (TE16) and Renying (ST9), and thread-embedding therapy at Fengchi (GB20). This represents a comprehensive clinical model combining pattern differentiation with stage-specific interventions and multimodal acupuncture techniques for migraine management. No quantitative outcome data or sample sizes were provided in this clinical experience summary.