Of all medical conditions, headaches are among the most common. Are you among the 70% of the population who get headaches? As you read this, 25% of people are currently suffering from a headache ranging from an occasional annoyance to a chronic, crushing head pain. A headache can be a short, isolated episode or a daily event. The pain can be located in various areas of the head and may vary from a dull aching to an unbearable, stabbing pain. There is good news! Acupuncture and herbal medicine offers safe and effective treatment with lasting relief.
Short-term solutions are available in over the counter medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ASA and the like). These chemical solutions do not address the cause of the problem - they merely cover up the symptoms. The host of side-effects and health risks associated with long-term use of pharmaceuticals makes these options less attractive over the long term.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classifies a headache only as a symptom, not an actual disorder itself. Ancient Chinese healers saw the human body as a dynamic, interconnected network of energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). Centuries ago they discovered this vital energy circulated throughout the body on specific pathways called meridians. Modern science has proven the existence of these electro-magnetic pathways in the body. What western medicine would refer to as illness, TCM would refer to as an imbalance or disharmony of the Qi. According to TCM theory, pain is due to a blockage in the flow of energy (Qi) and/or blood. Depending on the cause and location of blockages, acupuncture points and herbs will be selected to stimulate those areas and rebalance the circulation. The treatment aims to not only relieve the headache pain but correct its cause as well.
Practitioners look for a unifying theme through the patient’s entire presentation, not just their distinct symptoms. All patients suffering from headaches are not simply treated the same way. Practitioners identify and treat the pattern of disharmony that is based on all of the patient’s symptoms, along with their pulse and tongue diagnosis. This helps us to get a deeper picture of what the root of the problem is. As long as the correct pattern is identified, the headaches should be treatable.
The treatment protocol will be partially determined on the nature of the headache pain (dull, heavy, throbbing, stabbing), the location of the pain (behind the eyes, temples, base of the skull, on one side of the head only, the top of the head), what triggers the headache or aggravates the headache pain (certain foods, weather conditions, emotions, menstruation).
Both acupuncture and herbal therapy, on their own, or in combination, give excellent results for headaches. Treatment will vary depending on what type of headache a person suffers from. Some patients benefit from only a few acupuncture sessions while others require a longer course of herbal therapy combined with acupuncture. Chronic cases (experiencing symptoms for more than several months) generally take longer, sometimes 3-6 months of treatment is required for successful results. Acupuncture is an incredibly effective and safe option for people with chronic headaches of all kinds. I often will recommend that patients with chronic headaches commit to treatment once a week for 4-6 weeks, then assess for progress.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used along with other medications to both enhance the effects and mitigate the side effects. There is no need to discontinue Western medication while receiving Chinese medicine. However, many people have, in time, decreased or totally eliminated their reliance on these medications as their condition continues to improve.
It was reported by the BBC that recent research in England the treatment of headaches showed “acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic headaches and should be more widely available… introducing acupuncture services could lead to significant long-term benefits for patients with chronic headaches.” Research also determined patients who received acupuncture treatment had fewer headaches than patients who did not and made less visits to the doctor and reduced their use of painkillers.
Things you can do to help eliminate headaches:
Dietary Strategies: Avoid foods that cause inflammation in the body, such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol. Avoid synthetic sweeteners such as aspartame. Try to drink 4-6 glasses of filtered water daily
Triggers: Do your best to observe possible triggers for your headaches: foods, weather patterns, particular smells, specific activities. Avoiding triggers to your headaches can help minimize their occurrence. Identifying what triggers your headaches can also be helpful for your healthcare practitioner(s) because they may be able to direct treatment towards eliminating the particular sensitivity.
Relaxation: Consciously taking time every day to de-stress will induce the relaxation response. Relaxation is not a luxury but a NECESSITY! Relaxation is required for the body to recharge and allow proper circulation of the Qi and blood.
Exercise: It is recommend exercising 20-30 minutes a day, 3-5 days per week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3506400.stm
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