Headaches are really common! Almost everyone will experience a headache at some point in their life. Most are not caused by anything serious, even though symptoms can be severe and extremely debilitating.
Headaches are classified into two main types:
- PRIMARY – those that have no apparent cause and
- SECONDARY – those that occur due to an existing illness or injury (examples include headaches that accompany a sinus infection or a problem with eyesight).
About 90% of headaches are primary. They can cause an awful lot of distress as they have no demonstrable physical cause. A GP may request tests or investigations to eliminate possible serious causes but if none are found, treatment can be difficult. Medication may be prescribed for pain relief, and sometimes lifestyle advice is given.
Types of primary headaches include:
- TENSION HEADACHES – the most common type of primary headache, they are typically experienced as a tight band around the head but may also be felt behind the eyes. They are thought to be caused by tightening of the muscles of the scalp, but there is little evidence to support this. This type of headache tends to get worse during the day but rarely disturbs sleep. Although they may get worse and more frequent during times of stress, they usually settle down again afterwards.
- MIGRAINE HEADACHES – also very common, they usually affect one side of the head, typically at the front or side of the head. People experiencing a migraine attack often feel nauseous and can vomit. Visual disturbances are also common along with heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Symptoms can be severe enough to be completely disabling (some people just need to lie in a dark room, sometimes for a couple of days) and are often followed by a period of extreme tiredness or irritability. All symptoms do, however, resolve completely between attacks.
- CLUSTER HEADACHES – usually affect one side of the head and occur in clusters over time. A common pattern is to have a headache every day, sometimes for weeks, but then no headaches at all for several months. Symptoms are more severe than tension headaches and often focus around one eye. Each one typically lasts for between 45 and 90 minutes.
Research has shown that acupuncture is an effective way to relieve and prevent primary headaches. It is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) as a preventative treatment for both tension headaches and migraines. It is also mentioned as a treatment option for migraines by The Migraine Trust, a charity supporting people living with migraines.
Traditional Acupuncture is tailored to you, considering your medical history as well as the way you live your life. Acupuncturists look at the balance of your energy (called Qi and pronounced ‘chee’) and its flow around defined channels in the body. Very fine needles are inserted into points on the channels to rebalance the Qi. Points are chosen specifically for you and are often quite distant from the problem. For example, headaches are often treated using points on the legs and feet, and the needles will be left in for around 15-20 minutes. Acupuncture treatment can be surprisingly relaxing, and it is not at all uncommon for people to fall asleep on the treatment couch once the needles have been inserted.
By working with an acupuncturist, you can help get your headaches under control. Treatment frequency depends on the individual i.e. how long they’ve had problems and the severity, but usually, a few weekly sessions in the beginning are advisable and then spread out to maintain the issue. Acupuncture can also help you stay well. Many people find regular treatments can be a valuable addition to helping you cope with life.
