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Treatment of headaches
and migraine with TCM
Migraine can manifest itself in different symptoms, frequency, duration and intensity. Many patients also report an 'aura'. An aura usually manifests itself as a visual disturbance, such as flashes of light, floating patches of fog in the field of vision or blind spots. Some patients also experience tingling and numbness in parts of the body. Migraines can be debilitating and last for hours a day. The pain can range from moderate to severe and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and/or sound.
Migraine is associated with a two-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke, which occurs only among people who suffer from migraine with aura. Our results also show a higher risk in women, and the risk is further increased when it comes to migraine in people who are younger than 45, smokers and women using oral contraceptives.
Migraine and other headaches -
benefits of TCM treatment
Conventional medicine treats headaches according to the underlying cause, which usually includes analgesics. The side effects of pain pills can cause additional problems such as abdominal pain, indigestion, dizziness or muscle fatigue.
Due to the unresolved pain and possible side effects of headache and migraine pills, more and more people are trying to find an alternative such as acupuncture for migraines.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treats headaches holistically by bringing balance to the body and emotions without chemical side effects while reducing the chance of recurrence – migraine acupuncture can often be very helpful.
In Chinese medicine, headaches are assumed to be caused by external factors and/or internal injuries. External factors mean the attack of pathogens from outside the body, acting as a virus or bacteria. TKM separates pathogens based on their nature, such as 'cold', 'wind', 'heat' and 'dump'. If the headache is caused by an internal injury, it means that the body's systems are not working as they should. There are five main systems and four main types of vital energy. Damage to the system from any blockage or lack of power can cause problems. Migraine is mostly caused by external wind and internal liver fire.
Home remedies for migraine
Chronic migraine is a complex medical condition that requires systematic treatment with the help of a well-trained TCM practitioner, but there are also some things you can do for yourself to eliminate daily migraines and quickly relieve symptoms.
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Instant refreshment
Rub peppermint essential oil on your eyelids to relieve migraine pain associated with nausea. -
Acupressure massage
Please take a look at oursdemonstration video. -
Chrysanthemum and fresh ginger tea
Chrysanthemum is effective in clearing excess heat in the head area. Take 3-5 flower petals and soak them in hot water for 3 minutes. Do not soak it for too long, as this will change its taste and nature and make it less effective. If you have a sensitive stomach or nausea, then add 3 fresh slices of ginger inside. -
A relaxing foot bath
In the evenings, soak your feet in a tub of warm water with a pinch of salt to anchor and redirect the fire energy, nurturing the kidney meridian. Overactive fire and weak kidneys are common imbalances that cause migraines according to TCM theory. -
Food
Learn more about healthier eating for a longer life at the following link. -
Avoid triggers, such as:
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame and other artificial sweeteners and preservatives; alcohol and caffeine; contraceptive pills; peanuts, chilies, and hot foods
Acupuncture for treating migraines
Treatment of headaches in TCM takes place in different ways, depending on different causes and clinical manifestations. Methods include Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture against migraines, diet therapy and vacuum therapy, which have proven to be very effective and reliable. They are often adapted to the condition of the individual patient according to his diagnostic categories, instead of treating the headaches of all persons in the same way.
Our doctor Rachel Cheng at Aku Energija has met many patients who suffered from headaches and migraines. With his diagnosis, he can determine the cause of your headaches and migraines. Treatment and pain relief are usually part of the initial treatment. Depending on the individual and the symptoms, it is sometimes recommended to continue treatment even after the pain has resolved. In this way, the effect of the therapy is maintained and the recurrence of pain is prevented, since more time is needed to reach a deeper level of the origin of the cause.
