Alleviating Headaches & Migraines with Traditional Chinese Medicine
There are two categories of headaches that both western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognize; Primary and secondary headaches. The primary type headache is a clinical condition. This means the symptoms of a headache isn’t from another disorder. Primary headaches include migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches.
Unlike primary headaches, secondary headaches are caused by other medical conditions. Some of the medical conditions that contribute to secondary headaches include sinus disease, head injuries, allergies, brain tumors and dental disorders. Acupuncture is effective in treating primary headaches such as tension headaches and migraines. Acupuncture is effectives in treating secondary headaches as it treats the root cause of the symptoms.
Types of Headaches
There are a many different types of headaches, both primary and secondary.
Tension Headaches:
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches and many people will experience this type of headache once in their lifetime. Tension headaches are recurrent headaches and can last in duration anywhere from a few minds to a couple days. The symptoms of these headaches are a dull pressure and can be mild to moderate in severity.
Migraines:
Migraine headaches are intense and usually one-sided. Migraines are pulsating or throbbing in sensation and can range from moderate to sever in intensity. Activity may make a migraine worse and they may be associated with nausea or vomiting. Migraines can make someone sensitive to light or noise as well. Some people encounter auras, a neurological symptom that develops gradually. The person may experience flashes or waves of light or changes in their vision. Some other symptoms that are associated with auras are vertigo, balance issues, confusion or numbness.
