For some, popping a few aspirin can take care of it. For others, it requires a little more than a few painkillers.
According to Catherine Parker, with Acupuncture in the Park, this "king of pains" can be treated with acupuncture.
CAUSES OF HEADACHES
Common causes of headache are muscle tension (especially in the neck and shoulders), emotional stress, migraine, trauma to the head, eye strain, dehydration, low blood sugar, sinus congestion and menstrual periods.
In addition to these common causes, an acupuncturist looks at dietary causes. Not eating enough, eating too much or eating too quickly can all cause a deficiency in chi (the Chinese concept of "life force" that is vital to your health).
In Chinese medicine, an excess of anything can cause stagnation in your digestion. The stagnation causes heat to rise to your head, resulting in a headache.
TREATMENTS
To treat headaches, an acupuncturist uses needles and may make dietary recommendations. Needles inserted into certain points, or "meridians," allow the chi to flow to the affected area, clear it out and allow it to heal.
Needles don't necessarily need to be inserted into the head. Surprisingly enough, the feet are treated for headaches - an interesting concept. There are also areas around the wrist that are excellent for treating the face and back of the head.
If a patient has suffered chronic headaches for years, it can take time to treat. A weak constitution may be the cause of chronic headaches; acupuncture can help to build the constitution up again.
Parker said migraines can be treated with acupunture; however, "the jury is still out on that." (A migraine headache is a severe headache, usually on one side of the head. It causes light- and sound-sensitivity and nausea.)
SERIOUS HEADACHES
Parker cautions that a headache can be a symptom of something more serious, such as stroke or trauma to the head. She recommends seeing your medical doctor if you have an unusually severe headache.
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