Headache
By Bindi Zhu, M.D. (China) Ph.D. (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
“A man suffering from a headache went to the acupuncture clinic for treatment. After the examination, the doctor explained the treatment to him. He said, “I will put some needles in your head, hands, and feet.” The man asked, “Can you put some needles in my wife’s head, hands, and feet? She gave me the headache.”
To treat a headache, you must find the root cause. Headaches, especially recurring headaches, require thorough investigation, including a complete history and neurological examination. We use both diagnostic tools made available by western medicine and the differentiation of syndrome principle in eastern medicine. Using both methods, we can find a more accurate picture of the patient’s situation and help diagnose and treat the headache.
Headache Classification
In western medicine, headaches may be classified as either vascular, muscle contraction, or traction-inflammatory. Vascular headaches include migraine, cluster, hypertensive headaches, and headaches from a secondary response (e.g., to infectious process). Muscle contraction headaches may occur from psychogenesis, such as response to trauma or as a result of medical disorders such as cervical arthritis. Traction-inflammation headaches may result from infection, intracranial or extracranial lesions, occlusive vascular disorders, diseases of facial structures, and medical disorders such as arthritis.
In Chinese medicine, headaches are classified differently. Headaches are subdivided into nine types.
- Wind-cold
- wind-heat
- wind-damp
- Kidney deficiency
- Liver yang
- Stagnation of blood
- Dampness
- Qi
- Blood deficiency
- Phlegm disturbing the mind
Headache Treatment
As an active participant in your health care, you should stay aware of your headaches’ identifying characteristics. Please note when it happens, how long it lasts, what makes it feel worse and better, what brings it on, the location, severity, and nature of the pain (dull, stabbing, etc.). Do any other symptoms accompany the headache?
These questions will help clarify the correct course of treatment for your type of headache. Starting treatment when you do not have a headache can help prevent future headaches from reoccurring. Conversely, acupuncture and herbs can provide immediate relief during the acute phase of a headache.