Headache relief with Chinese Medicine
Headaches. They are painful and can really effect your quality and enjoyment of life, especially when they occur regularly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50% of adults suffer from some type of headaches. Of these people, 30% reported having migraines as well. Moreover, they’re complicated, there are over 150 types of headaches! Just as no two people are the same, so are no two headaches. The causes, types of pain, locations of headaches, duration, and association with other illnesses make headaches extraordinarily complicated. Luckily Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a very unique approach to diagnosis which can handle this complexity.
As TCM Practitioners will pay close attention to the frequency of the headaches, the times of day you get headaches, the location of the pain, type of pain, headache triggers and how long your headaches last. These pieces of information help your acupuncturist to accurately diagnose your headache. As acupuncturists and Chinese Herbalists we know how to design treatments specific to your health history and your particular type of headache. We have many tools in TCM including acupuncture, cupping and gua sha, herbal medicine, lifestyle and nutrition to combat your headaches and help get you back to a pain-free life.
Headaches Versus Migraines.
A migraine is a specific kind of headache. Non-migraine headaches often deal with both sides of the head and have a more dull pain which will likely respond well to pain killers. A migraine headache usually has a sharp and or very intense throbbing pain quality and occurs on only one side of the head usually above one eye. Migraines can completely wipe out your day and make it very hard to function. They are also often accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, aura (sensory disturbances such as tingling on the face, seeing spots, or losing part of the visual field), sensitivity to light, and extreme fatigue. Most migraines won’t respond well to regular over the counter medication.
Headache causes
There’s no single cause of headaches, but rather many factors that contribute to pain in the head which we will address as TCM practitioners. Some of these include:
Genetics—headaches and migraines can run in families.
Illness – especially influenza, sinus infections and long covid can cause headaches.
Back neck and shoulder tension can contribute to headaches.
Poor posture.
Eye strain, such as looking at screens for extended periods of time.
Stress and emotions.
Skipping meals or insufficient nutrition.
Dehydration.
Poor sleep.
Weather changes.
Acupuncture for Headaches
Does acupuncture help headaches? Yes, acupuncture is very beneficial for the treatment of headaches. Your acupuncturist will select acupuncture points for a headache based on the location of your headaches and your individual “diagnosis”. You can expect to get a combination of local acupuncture points on your head or face and some more “distal” acupuncture points on your hands and or feet. Acupuncture helps to relieve pain in active headaches, as well as to keep future headaches from coming on. Acupuncture improves blood flow and can help with vasodilation and also releases endorphins and balances the nervous system, which can help to keep you from getting headaches in the first place.
Cupping for Headaches
Cupping is frequently used in conjunction with acupuncture to treat headaches. These gentle suction cups increases circulation by mechanically drawing more blood to a specific area. When cupping is used to relieve headaches, cups are typically applied to the back of the neck and upper back. This increases circulation and can help to both relieve and prevent future headaches. We often use cupping when treating a “tension headache” or a headache which involves “Heat” .
Gua Sha for Headaches
Gua sha for headaches is best done in conjunction with acupuncture. Your acupuncturist will treat the face, neck , back of the head or forehead and cheeks with guasha. This will promote blood flow in the channels, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain.
Nutrition and Headaches
Can poor nutrition cause headaches? Yes, poor nutrition can be a contributing factor of headaches. Proper nourishment is vital for headache prevention. We advise patients who suffer from frequent headaches to be sure to eat 3 normal-sized meals per day. We find that headaches can be more common in patients who skip meals. We also give nutrition guidance for patients based on their constitution and their Chinese Diagnosis. Nutritional deficiencies have been linked to headaches. The most common are deficiencies in vitamin D, B vitamins, and magnesium. Dehydration and too much caffeine intake can also contribute to headaches so this can be discussed. Your acupuncturist will work with you to get your diet at it’s optimum for headache prevention.
What makes Chinese diagnosis of headaches different from Western Medicine?
Diagnosis is Chinese medicine is very unique. When we diagnose a headache we are looking out for specific signs and symptoms which might give us clues. Here are some examples of some of the catogories we use for diagnosis in the clinic. Note, some headaches are a combination of these diagnoses.
Liver Yang Rising
Very strong headache with dizziness, often triggered by stress.
Accompanying symptoms: Irritability, insomnia, dry mouth, bitter taste in mouth, flushed face, ear ringing (tinnitus), constipation.
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Intermittent dull headache worsened by lack of rest or worsens in the afternoon, dizziness.
Accompanying symptoms: Fatigue, blurred vision, weakness, heart palpitations, easily startled, bland taste in mouth, poor appetite, pale skin. Tongue: Pale, Pulse: thready.
Phlegm /Dampness
Headache with a heavy sensation. like a band around the head.
Accompanying symptoms: Chest heavyness, abdominal bloating, nausea, poor appetite, presence of phlegm, heaviness in limbs. Pulse: Slippery. Tongue: with a “damp” coating.
Kidney Deficiency
Distending pain with an empty sensation, dizziness.
Accompanying symptoms: Ear ringing (tinnitus), forgetfulness, nocturnal emissions, lower backache, weakness in lower limbs.
Your headache treatment plan
Regular acupuncture treatments are important to both relieve headache pain and prevent future headaches from happening. If you’ve been experiencing frequent headaches, you can expect to come in about once per week for six weeks for acupuncture. We’ll also likely use cupping or gua sha to relieve headache pain during the six-week course of treatment. Depending on the type and severity of your headaches, this six-week course of treatment may be enough, but for some patients less frequent continued treatments will be needed to keep symptoms under control. You deserve to feel better. Don’t let headaches keep you from spending time with people you love, doing activities you enjoy, or being your best at work. If you’re ready to start feeling better, head to our Booking page and schedule your first appointment.
The Blossom Tree Clinic is an Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic in Totnes Dartington. If you would like to book in with one of our practitioners please head to our BOOKING PAGE