Headaches and Migraines

Recommended Treatments

A number of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can be clinically effective in the treatment of headaches and migraines. Whilst acupressure and Chinese herbal medicine can also play an important role in the management of headaches and migraines, excellent success rates can be achieved by treating headaches with acupuncture alone.

How Can Chinese Medicine Help With My Headaches and Migraines?

In Chinese medicine, headaches and migraines are caused by blockages in the energy circulation or by insufficient levels of energy being able to nourish the head. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help by topping up and smoothing out the flow of energy to reduce the frequency and/or the severity of headaches and migraines.

Research into the mechanisms of acupuncture suggests that needling specific points on the body can help to release endorphins, the body's own natural painkiller into the central nervous system. Scientific studies have also shown that serotonin levels in the brain and spinal cord can be regulated by acupuncture, low levels of which have been associated with increased susceptibility to headaches and migraines.

Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines

Lily will ask an in-depth case history including questions relating to the characteristic and location of your headaches, what 'warning' signs you may experience before an attack as well as how frequent your headaches occur and whether you can link anything to your headaches such as stress or certain foods. Acupuncture points for headaches and migraines will usually be chosen on the scalp and face depending on the location of your headaches as well as points on the hands and feet. Points on your abdomen, back and your legs may also be chosen to nourish the energies of certain organs.

Acupressure for Headaches and Migraines

Acupressure is fast becoming recognized as one of the most relaxing and soothing complementary treatments. Acupressure uses the same acupuncture points as in acupuncture treatments but uses the power of gentle and specialized pressure techniques to release blockages and ease pain. Acupressure can be used effectively as a single therapy but is best appreciated alongside acupuncture treatments.

Lily can also teach you acupressure techniques specifically for headaches and migraines as a useful self-help measure if you suffer from an attack in between your treatments. These are gentle techniques that can be performed wherever you are and whatever time of the day.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Headaches and Migraines

Chinese herbal medicine for headaches and migraines tend to be available as patent medicines, ready-made Chinese herbal preparations which are based on a common prescription designed to help with headaches and migraines. Chinese herbal medicine must be taken on a daily basis and not only at times when you suffer from an attack. This is because the herbal ingredients are designed to guide the body to heal itself naturally on a gradual basis rather than being a fast-acting pain reliever.

Course of Treatment

Patients can respond to acupuncture as quickly as within the first two sessions, reporting a decrease in severity and/or frequency of their headaches or migraines. As a general rule however, patients should expect to experience some degree of benefit within five or six weekly acupuncture treatments. Once your attacks have been reduced to a much more acceptable or manageable frequency, you may space out your treatments to once a fortnight or once a month, or even stop your treatments completely. Some patients choose to seek further treatment only if their headaches return after a period of time whilst others many remain headache-free for months or years to come.

Chinese herbal medicine can bring about relief from headaches and migraines as quickly as within one week but some patients require several weeks before they notice improvements to their symptoms. Once you have been free from your symptoms consistently over a period of time, it will be possible to either gradually reduce the dosage of your herbal medicine or for you to stop taking the herbal medicine altogether.

Self-Help Techniques

•  Stay hydrated by drinking at least six glasses of water a day.

•  Keep a balanced lifestyle by making sure you get sufficient rest and sleep, fresh air, regular exercise and balanced regular meals.

•  Ensure that you take regular breaks at work to reduce eyestrain if you are in front of a monitor for most of the day.

•  Try to keep a headache diary to help you identify any food, hormonal, medication, environmental or stress triggers. Common food triggers include caffeine, dairy products, yeast, monosodium glutamate (MSG), cheese, red wine and chocolate.

•  If stress is a clear trigger factor, learn stress management techniques or take part in relaxation classes such as Tai Chi, yoga or meditation.