HEADACHE

Headache is pain in any region of the head. Headaches may occur on one or both sides of the head, be isolated to a certain location, radiate across the head from one point, or have a viselike quality.

A headache may appear as a sharp pain, a throbbing sensation, or a dull ache. Headaches can develop gradually or suddenly and may last from less than an hour to several days.

In western medicine

The main causes of headaches in Western medicine may be summarized as follows

Intracranial:  Inflammatory, Non-inflammatory 

 Vascular: migraine, cerebral hemorrhage 

 Neoplastic: cerebral tumor  

Hypertensive: essential hypertension, secondary hypertension (glomerulonephritis)

 Cranial:  Sinusitis, otitis media Headaches 

 Extracranial:  Glaucoma, cervical spondylosis, trigeminal neuralgia 

In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine)

Headache is one of the most common symptoms encountered in acupuncture clinical practice. There are few people who have never experienced a headache at some time or other of their life.

Etiology

Any of the causes of disease normally considered in Chinese medicine can play a part in the aetiology of headaches. The main aetiological factors discussed are as follows:

. • Constitutional deficiency • Emotional stress ( Anger — Worry — Sadness and grief — Fear — Shock — Pensiveness — Guilt — Shame) • Overwork • Excessive sexual activity • Irregular diet • Trauma • Childbirth • External pathogenic factors.

TCM treatment:

Acupuncture helps help reduce the frequency of headaches and migraines and is safe and well tolerated. Many people don’t respond well to drugs prescribed to prevent headaches or migraines, oe people who want to avoid drugs, so acupuncture is a good alternative.

The idea is to change the flow of energy through the body, bringing about balance and harmony. It also helps in increasing blood circulation, helping the body to release pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins, and relaxing the muscles.

In the western world, many studies worldwide have been done which proved the benefits of acupuncture for headaches. 

For example: A Study of Comparison of pharmacological treatment versus acupuncture treatment for migraine without aura published on the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2000 September, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 231–240. Liguori A, Petti F, Bangrazi A, Camaioni D, Guccione G, Pitari GM, Bianchi A, Nicoletti WE Istituto Paracelso, Italian Center for Non Conventional Medicines, Rome, Italy Headaches 55 

Objectif of the study:

Objective of the study is to determine the effects of acupuncture treatment for migraine versus conventional drug therapy.

 Method of the study

One hundred and twenty patients affected by migraine without aura were randomly divided into acupuncture group (AG) and conventional drug therapy group (CDTG) and treated at four public health centres. For the AG group, acupuncture was applied to the following points: ST-8 Touwei, G.B.-5 Xuanlu, G.B-20 Fengchi, Du-14 Dazhui and LU-7 Lieque (all treated with the reducing method). Clinical results were evaluated 6 and 12 months after the beginning of treatment. Results In AG, the occurrence of migraine attacks dropped from 9823 (in the 12-month period prior to treatment) to 1990 after 6 months and 1590 after 1 year. The total absence from work amounted to 1120 working days per year, with a total cost (private and social costs) of 96,410 euros. In CDTG, the occurrence of migraine attacks dropped from 8405 before treatment to 3927 after 6 months and 3084 after 1 year. The total absence from work amounted to 1404 working days per year, with a total cost of 137,694 euros.

 Conclusion:

 Acupuncture proved more effective than conventional drug therapy in the treatment of migraine without aura.