How can acupuncture help headaches?
What is a headache?
A headache is defined as pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. The pain originates from the tissues and structures that surround the brain because the brain itself has no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain (pain fibers). This pain may be a dull ache, sharp, throbbing, constant, mild, or intense.
How are headaches classified?
In 2005, the International Headache Society released its latest classification system for headache. There are three major categories of headache based upon the source of the pain:
- Primary headaches
- Secondary headaches
- Cranial neuralgias, facial pain, and other headaches.
Primary Headaches
Primary headaches include migraine, tension, and cluster headaches, as well as a variety of other less common types of headache.
- Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. Tension headaches occur more commonly among women than men. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 20 people in the developed world suffer with a daily tension headache.
- Migraine headaches are the second most common type of primary headache. Migraine headaches affect children as well as adults. Before puberty, boys and girls are affected equally by migraine headaches, but after puberty, more women than men are affected.
- Cluster headaches are a rare type of primary headache. It more commonly affects men in their late 20s though women and children can also suffer this type of headache.
Primary headaches can severely affect an individual’s quality of life. Some people have occasional headaches that resolve quickly while others are debilitated. While these headaches are not life-threatening, they may be associated with symptoms that can mimic strokes. Many patients equate a severe headache with a migraine, but the amount of pain does not determine the diagnosis of migraine or how difficult or easy the pain may be to treat. It is often surprising to patients that in some cases their headaches can be alleviated instantly with acupuncture, even if they have suffered for years with them!
Secondary Headaches:
Secondary headaches are those that are due to an underlying structural problem in the head or neck. This is a very broad group of medical conditions ranging from dental pain from infected teeth to pain from an infected sinus, to life-threatening conditions like bleeding in the brain or infections. Traumatic headaches also fall into this category. These would always be ruled out prior to starting any treatment.
Cranial neuralgias, facial pain, and other headaches:
Cranial neuralgia means nerve pain affecting the head and face (cranium). It describes inflammation of one of the 12 nerves that supply the motor and sensation function of the head and neck. The most commonly known of these is trigeminal neuralgia which is exceedingly painful and affects the facial nerve.
Examination:
Before treatment would be offered the type of headache would need to be ascertained. To do this a full detailed medical history of the complaint would be taken. Questions associated with when the headache started, where it is felt, how and when it comes on, how long it lasts, what aggravates and alleviates it, and how severe it gets may be asked, to get a thorough understanding as to what structures may be playing a part in the aetiology of the headache. If the practitioner felt further tests were required at this point blood tests, x-rays or referral for MRI/CT scanning would be organised via your GP. Following history taking a thorough examination would take place, including checking that there was full movement of the neck and spinal joints, that shoulder and neck musculature had not tightened leading to a tension type strain on the head, cranial nerve examination and neurological testing if indicated to help locate the cause of the headaches better and look at how posture may be playing a role in the cause of the headache. Once the practitioner gets a clearer understanding of the headache they will normally have a working diagnosis of what “type” of headache it is and how best to treat it.
Treatment:
Acupuncturists primarily treat primary headaches but can help ease the symptoms of cranial neuralgias or varying facial pains too. They do this through varying techniques, ranging from massage to acupuncture and acupressure points designed to block pain signals and relieve stress and therefore tension. We also offer postural, diet and lifestyle advice, which are common causative factors in headaches. Depending on the type of headache and the contributing factors your practitioner will talk you through varying treatment options and the likely benefits and risks (eg: you can get a temporary worsening of your headache initially before it dies down, or you can feel tired after treatment). Treatment will then be offered and a report (verbal and/or written) on what to expect after the session will be given, and how long it will take for the headaches to alleviate.
Acupuncture is a very safe, gentle and highly effective way of treating mild-severe headaches/migraines, without the use of drugs and risks associated with taking regular over the counter medications and prescription medications.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) recommends acupuncture as a proven method to prevent tension-type headaches and migraine.
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