Acupuncture for Headaches
Headaches are
extremely common. While everyone experiences an occasional headache,
statistics show that 1 out of 6 people suffer from chronic headaches.
Acupuncture can effectively relieve headaches, as well as treat their
underlying causes. In fact, headaches are one of the conditions most
commonly seen in acupuncture clinics today. It can offer powerful relief
without the side effects that prescription and over-the-counter drugs can
cause.
Headaches that can be treated with acupuncture include migraines, tension
headaches, headaches occurring around the menstrual cycle, sinus headaches
and stress-related headaches.
How Acupuncture Treats Headaches
Many variables are looked at in order to properly diagnose and successfully
treat headaches. Each individual is treated differently depending on their
unique symptoms.
Some of the factors that will determine what acupuncture points and other
treatment techniques are used include: what triggers the headaches; the
location, frequency and intensity of the headaches; the quality of the
pain; the time of day that they occur; what helps the headaches and what
makes them worse.
Types of Headaches
When treating with acupuncture, headaches are often classified by their
location. This is only a broad guideline which needs to be further refined
and integrated into the treatment for each individual, but this shows
meridians and patterns that affect each area of the head.
Top of Head: Liver Meridian (Liver Blood Deficiency, Liver Yang
Rising)
Sides of Head: Gall-Bladder Meridian (Liver-Yang, Liver-Fire or
Liver-Wind Rising)
One Side Only: Gall-Bladder Meridian (Liver-Yang or Liver-Fire
Rising)
Temples: Gall-Bladder Meridian (Liver-Yang, Liver-Fire or Liver-Wind
Rising)
Behind the Eyes: Liver Meridian (Liver Blood Deficiency, Liver Yang
Rising)
Forehead: Stomach Meridian (Stomach Deficiency or Stomach-Heat)
Back of Head (Occipital): Bladder Meridian (Kidney Deficiency or
Damp-Heat in the Bladder) or External Wind
Whole Head: Kidney-Essence Deficiency or External Wind
Acupuncture can significantly relieve headaches and is an important
component to managing recurring headaches and migraines. If you have any
questions, please call for a consultation.
Studies Show that Acupuncture Stops Headaches
Two separate
systematic reviews by Cochrane Researchers show that acupuncture is an
effective treatment for prevention of headaches and migraines.
In each study, the researchers tried to establish whether acupuncture could
reduce the occurrence of headaches. One study focused on mild to moderate
but frequent "tension-type" headaches, whilst the other focused
on more severe but less frequent headaches usually termed migraines.
Together the two studies included 33 trials, involving a total of 6,736
patients.
Overall, following a course of at least eight weeks, patients treated with
acupuncture suffered fewer headaches compared to those who were given only
pain killers. In the migraine study, acupuncture was superior to proven
prophylactic drug treatments.
In one specific study involving 270 patients, acupuncture cut tension
headache rates almost in half. Researchers divided the patients who
reported similarly severe tension headaches into three groups for the
study. Over the project’s eight-week period, one group received traditional
acupuncture, one received only minimal acupuncture (needles inserted at
non-acupuncture points, and at only shallow levels), and the third group
received no treatment.
Those receiving the traditional acupuncture reported headache rates of
nearly half that of those who received no treatments, suffering 7 fewer
days of headaches. The minimal acupuncture group suffered 6.6 fewer days,
and the non-acupuncture group suffered 1.5 fewer days. When they received
acupuncture after the main study period, the “no treatment” group also
reported significantly fewer headache days.
The improvements continued for months after the treatments were concluded,
rising slightly as time went on.
Sources:
British Medical Journal, July 2005
Acupuncture for tension-type headache. Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007587 DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD007587
Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis. Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews, 2009, Issue 1. Art.No.: CD001218 DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub2
7 Healthy Habits for Headache Sufferers
Diet- Eat regular meals at regular times to
avoid your blood sugar from falling too quickly. Also, avoid foods and
drinks that are known to trigger headache attacks including processed
meats, aged cheese, alcohol, and foods and beverages that contain
aspartame.
Sleep- Maintain a regular sleeping schedule, including weekends and
vacations.
Stress- Stress is one of the most common headache and migraine
triggers. Implement stress reduction techniques into your daily life.
Exercise- Exercise stimulates the body to release endorphins, which
are brain chemicals that improve mood and relieve stress, which are known
headache triggers.
Headache Diary- Keep a diary of when your headaches occur, along
with any triggers, and share the information with your healthcare provider.
See Your Healthcare Provider- Make an appointment with your
healthcare provider to specifically discuss your headache.
Be a Partner in Your Headache Care- Be informed, be a participant in
your treatment and be an advocate for your headache care.
|
|
In This Issue
·
Acupuncture
for Headaches
·
Studies
Show that Acupuncture Stops Headaches
·
7 Healthy
Habits for Headache Sufferers
·
5 Ways to
Relieve Headaches Naturally
5 Ways to Relieve Headaches Naturally
Want some natural
alternatives to ease your aching head?
The Headache Point
Large Intestine 4 is such a powerful acupuncture point for headaches that
is often referred to as “the headache point”. It is located on the padded
area of your hand between the thumb and index finger, between the first and
second metacarpal bones. Massage this point with your thumb on both hands
for approximately 30 seconds.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has a calming and soothing effect on the body, and is often
used to treat headaches. Rub peppermint essential oil across your forehead
and temples to relieve a tension headache or inhale a peppermint steam
treatment to treat a sinus headache. Adding 10-15 drops of peppermint oil
to a warm bath is another great way to relax, help reduce muscle tension
and relieve a headache.
Cayenne Pepper
Research suggests that capsaicin can help relieve cluster headaches. In one
study, people with cluster headaches rubbed a capsaicin preparation inside
and outside their noses on the same side of the head as the headache pain.
Within five days, 75 percent reported less pain and fewer headaches.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a medicinal herb that has been used since ancient Greece for
swelling and inflammation. Studies have shown that feverfew limits
inflammation of blood vessels in the head and can reduce headaches.
Feverfew generally takes up to four to six weeks to take effect. Sip tea or
take a feverfew supplement daily.
Ginger Tea
Numerous clinical studies have shown that ginger can be used to relieve
headaches. Researchers believe it does so by relaxing the blood vessels in
the head and diminishing swelling in the brain. It also activates natural
opiates in the brain that relieve pain, and it reduces prostaglandins,
which are responsible for causing inflammation.
|
