Treating Headaches with Acupuncture and Natural Medicine

Headaches are one of the most common reasons Americans are visiting physicians.

There are a variety of causes for headaches, but the primary culprit involved in chronic headaches is stress. Stress headaches (also named tension headaches) are reaching epidemic proportions, and we are also seeing migraines and cluster headaches becoming more prevalent. Most people will push their pain away, live with it, or turn to over-the-counter pain medication for some kind of relief. While medications offer temporary relief for certain patterns, many people prefer to avoid this route because of possible side effects and long-term complications.

Fortunately, there are a number of great all-natural treatment options available for headaches that can safely and effectively eliminate the root cause of the headaches or, at the very least, reduce the pain to a more tolerable level. Identifying the root cause of headaches is one of the main challenges that all practitioners face. In particular, migraine patterns can be mysterious and spontaneous. They can be triggered by food allergies, hormonal imbalances, emotional issues, dehydration, stress, trauma, genetic factors, heavy metal poisoning, or intestinal toxicity.

Chinese Medicine Approach

In Chinese medicine, we look for a unifying theme through the patient’s entire presentation, not just their distinct symptoms. We can’t simply say, “OK, here is the herbal magic bullet for headaches.” What we can do is identify a pattern of disharmony that is based on all of the patient’s symptoms, along with their pulse and tongue diagnosis. This helps us get a deeper understanding of what is occurring. In Chinese medicine, we want to see everything improve, not just the presenting complaint.

It isn’t necessarily important what kinds of headaches are occurring but rather that the correct pattern is identified, in which case the headaches should be treatable. A few of the common headache patterns we see in our clinic can be treated by formulas that match the symptoms specifically. For example, one formula treats temporal headaches (over the temples) that are worse with a menstrual cycle, and the patient experiences: PMS, irritability, muscle tension and stiffness, red eyes, low-pitch ear ringing.

Another formula we use also treats headaches around the temples and has accompanying symptoms of red eyes, ear ringing, high blood pressure, jaw tension, subcostal pain, agitation, and dream-disturbed sleep. These tend to be more severe symptoms than what is treated with the first formula. A headache that moves around and is causing high blood pressure, dizziness or vertigo, tremors, and memory issues will need a completely separate formula as well. There are at least six base patterns and reasons for headaches.

Often we employ a strategy of combining a formula for specific patterns with a more general headache formula that works for headaches of all etiologies to ensure the root causes and pain are being treated.

At-Home Strategy

A strategy that you can try at home is to apply pressure on the point Large Intestine 4 when you have a headache. The point is located just off the second metacarpal bone (pointer finger knuckle) between the thumb and ring finger. This area is usually tender with most headaches.

In general, acupuncture can be incredibly effective and a safe option for people with chronic headaches of all kinds. We recommend committing to treatment once a week for 4–6 weeks for chronic headaches, then assessing for progress.

Supplements

• B vitamin complex: B vitamins are essential for maintaining a healthy mental and emotional balance, boosting your blood to avoid blood-deficient headaches, and warding off excessive stress. Take the recommended dosage of a comprehensive B complex.

• Calcium and Magnesium: These are natural relaxing agents for the central nervous system. Many headache sufferers are deficient in these essential minerals. Supplement with 500mg daily of each.

• 5HTP: Some headaches are due to a serotonin deficiency. This is a natural precursor to serotonin that is also useful for insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

• Fish Oil: Essential fatty acids have been clinically proven to reduce all kinds of pain and inflammation in the body. Take 3–4,000mg daily with food.

Dietary Suggestions

• Avoid foods that cause inflammation such as dairy, sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol

• Avoid synthetic or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame

• Drink 6–9 glasses of filtered water daily

Additional Therapies to Consider

• Chiropractic care: Some headaches are due to cervical subluxations and mechanical joint irritation that can be treated with adjustments

• Massage: Great for tension headaches and tight shoulders

• Meditation: Reduces the relaxation response to promote deep tranquility and balance and engages the rest-and-restore parasympathetic nervous system

• Exercise: People who suffer from headaches are generally more sedentary. We recommend exercising 20–30 minutes a day, 4–5 days per week

• Yoga: Very important in many stress-related health problems. Many people have found permanent relief of their headaches through regular yoga practice

We hope that this article has given you some new hope in treating headaches both safely and effectively.