Headache Treatment
Headaches can be debilitating and can greatly reduce your quality of life. Thankfully, there are a variety of options available to successfully treat and heal headaches, including both Chinese medicines and western medicines, as well as acupuncture. Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to treat illnesses, while western medicine often takes a more pharmaceutical approach toward that same goal. Acupuncture works by targeting specific points on the body while stimulating them with needles. Whatever option is chosen, it’s important that the best solutions are sought out when trying to get relief from this painful condition. With a combination of these approaches to treatment, healing is possible and you can soon find yourself living migraine-free.
Headache is a very common occurrence and can affect anyone from any age group. It is estimated that about half of the population will experience headaches during any given year, and more than nine out of ten individuals report headaches in their lifetime. Headaches can range from mild to severe and can occur on a regular basis or sporadically. Treatment for headaches depends on the type of headache experienced, with some headaches responding quickly to non-pharmacological treatment, while others may require pharmacological treatments such as medication. Understanding the specific type of headache one has is essential in determining an effective treatment plan. Examples of common headaches include migraines, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and cluster headaches.
Each of these headaches requires a customized approach to treatment depending on the severity and frequency of symptoms. Proper diagnosis and understanding are key components when it comes to treating headaches effectively.
There are several common causes of primary headaches:
- Migraine headaches are often described as pounding, throbbing pains. The symptoms can last for 4 to 3 days, and people may also experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, and smells.
- The most common type of headache is a tension headache, experiencing constant pressure on the front of the face or on the head or neck. In most cases, both sides of the head feel pain.
- The most severe form of primary headache-cluster headaches are sudden, extremely painful headaches that strike one side of the head, often behind or around one eye.
The symptoms of secondary headaches are caused by other health conditions. Among the most common are:
- Inflammation of the sinuses causes sinus headaches. There is a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or nose bridge.
- Headache caused by hormones. Hormonal fluctuations during periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause can cause headaches in women.
- Headache caused by trauma. It is possible to develop a headache either immediately after a blow to the head or several months later, with pain located either at the site of the injury or throughout the head.
Traditional Chinese medicines and cupping have been used to treat headache pains for many centuries. Rich in umami, herbs such as ginger, lavender, and licorice may be boiled and consumed as a tea or may be applied topically with tinctures designed specifically for headache relief. Cupping is a practice where heated cups are placed on the skin, creating empty spaces in the tissue that draw out toxins from the body that can relieve headache pain. Taking this approach to treating headache pain can give people suffering from headaches every day some respite from their symptoms, as well as those who suffer from headaches due to high levels of stress. Traditional Chinese therapeutic methods provide natural headache relief so sufferers can get back to living a life free from headaches.
Headache disorders are a common affliction in today’s world, with many struggling to find relief. Fortunately, acupuncture is quickly becoming a popular headache treatment in the health system. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing therapy that involves manipulating pressure points on the body with needles to relieve pain. The therapy also stimulates and nourishes various parts of the body for overall well-being and is particularly useful with chronic headaches or other causes of headaches, such as migraines. With these qualities combined, acupuncture provides an effective and holistic approach to treating headaches while helping to lessen the frequency of chronic daily headaches. This makes it an appealing option for people looking for relief without undergoing drastic medical treatments.
