Tension headaches can be more than annoying, they can be painful and draining. Medication can help mange your symptoms. But, if you want to discover how Chinese Medicine can uncover the underlying cause and ease your suffering – read on!

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Symptoms

Pain:

• On both sides (like a band circling your head).
• Felt in your head, neck and shoulders.
• Mild to moderate and constant.
• Described as a pressing or tightening feeling
• Light or sound sensitivity.

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Am I the Only One?

Headaches are a big issue worldwide, and about half of the world’s adult population have had at least one per year.  In Australia, there are up to 7 million suffers and there are more women than men.

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Causes

Medical View

Many health professionals have different views on the causes however, researchers have found people are more likely to experience them if they have:

• Muscle hardness and sensitivity
• Family who also suffer
• Increased risk factors or triggers such as stress, anxiety, depression, and poor posture
• Sensitive to bright lights and noises
• Medication overuse
• Fatigue
• Emotional trauma

Chinese Medical View

Headaches have several underlying causes in Chinese Medicine:

1. When there is a stagnation of ‘Qi’ and the Chinese concept of ‘Blood’ such as a head trauma – this can lead to pain.
2. Emotional stress
3. Lack of nourishing and healthy foods
4. External pathogens that invade the body

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Treatments

Medical Treatments

Some options include:

• Pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if they don’t happen very often.
• Antidepressant medication if they happen a lot.

Chinese Medicine

A benefit of Chinese medicine is that it looks into your symptoms and the underlying causes.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is when sterile needles are placed into your body’s special acupuncture points.  These special points stimulate nerves, which send messages to your brain to release various hormones and chemicals.  These nerves send messages to your brain to release hormones and chemicals.  These special hormones help us manage our pain, mood and how we respond to stress. Helping your body relax and release tension may help reduce your symptoms. Also, acupuncture can release endorphins, which help with pain.  

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine may help with the cause of your symptoms. Chinese herbs should be prescribed by a qualified Chinese medical practioner. The medication should be taken under their guidance. The herbal medicine will be given based on your symptoms and any other medicines you are taking. 

Research

Some researchers have found promising results to help people with tension-type headaches. They found that acupuncture may reduce the symptoms, frequency and amount of discomfort. In the Systematic Review 30 Randomised Control Trials were included. This research involved 2,742 participants. Some of the research compared prentend acupuncture with real acupuncture. This research found headaches occured less often. In another study, researchers compared medication to acupuncture. This reasearch found the pain was less intense. The Review found that the research was not high quality. Let’s hope that future researchers continue to look into acupuncture for headaches. 

Cupping and Guasha

Cupping and Guasha treatments use cups and stones on the skin. These tools help release muscle-tension and can increase blood flow. These tools can leave marks and bruises on the connective tissue under your skin. This is part of the healing process. 

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Help Mange Your Symptoms

How can you help yourself?

1. Gentle stretching
2. Get enough sleep
3. Eat regular, balanced and healthy meals
4. Stress management techniques, such as: Qi Gong, Thai Chi, Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery 
5.  Heat packs on tight shoulders or muscles.
6. Exercise or anything else that makes you feel relaxed!

There are many options for tension-type headaches – you don’t have to put up with the pain!  Medication, acupuncture, cupping, guasha, and self-help strategies may help. Talk to your healthcare professional or acupuncturist today.