How to Treat Your Migraines Yourself with Acupressure by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc
Acupuncture and Migraine is a sophisticated medicine for a complicated disease.
Acupuncture is good not only for the headache, but for the various types of migraine auras, AND for preventing migraines. Also, you can use the points I'll suggest below to give yourself acupressure at home for free!
Acupuncture and migraine treatment, like all acupuncture, is based on the principles and theories of Chinese medicine. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the causes are emotional excesses (stress, long-term emotional disturbance, even just long-term frustration!), dietary imbalance (too much of the wrong foods and too little of the right ones), and the deficiencies inherent in the aging process can lead to the symptoms of migraine.
Acupuncture points may be different for acute attacks, and for prevention. There is acupuncture to treat, for example, a one-sided headache, and then a slightly different acupuncture to treat the susceptibility to stress that causes it.
Acupuncture - The Pain "Reset Button"
A neurologist told us in a guest lecture at my alma mater, the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, that acupuncture is the best therapy for chronic pain. He said that chronic pain signals can get 'grooved in' to the brain. That means that even after the real problem has been totally eliminated, the brain may still be "echoing" pain signals to us. This fits with Oliver Sach’s observation that migraine is like a neurological configuration or ‘frame of mind’ or arrangement that the migraineur keeps falling into.
Acupuncture can act as a 'reset button' to end these echoes of pain. The sooner you get acupuncture, the better, because the longer the pain is there, the more difficult it is to change.
In Chinese Medicine, we diagnose each patient according to what is called a pattern of imbalance, a group of symptoms. There are 5 basic patterns involved in migraines, but real people are complex and may have several patterns going on at the same time.
Let’s take a look at acupuncture and migraine in terms of the 5 patterns mentioned by Bob Flaws and Philippe Sionneau in their “Treatment of Modern Western Medical Diseases in TCM.” Acupuncture is much more effective than acupressure, but in case you want to try out some of these points on yourself, you can massage them. Check out this link for the locations of these acupuncture and migraine points.
Migraine pattern #1 – Liver depression, qi and blood deficiency
This is basically stress and frustration with bodily depletion. Common symptoms of this type of migraine include one sided headache, blurred vision, numbness and tingling of the fingers, emotional depression, stress, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities. Acupuncture and migraine for this type might include points like Liv3, LI4 or linggu, P6, GB20, GB39, and GB43.
Migraine pattern #2 – Ascendant Liver yang
This migraine includes dizziness, sudden anger, light sensitivity, and ringing ears. Liver yang rises when the liver yin is deficient – and that happens over time from kidney yin deficiency, which can be due to overwork, too much sex, or too many warm herbs like ginseng and other sexual tonics. Too much coffee over a long period of time could contribute to this pattern, too (many people insist that coffee helps their migraines, and it can, but only temporarily. It may make underlying problems worse at the same time). Acupuncture and migraine for this type might include Liv2, K3, K6, GB39, and GB43.
Migraine pattern #3 – Cold reversal pattern
This migraine features pain at the top of the head, feeling of chill during attack, vomiting clear liquids, and a sensitivity to wind. This is a sudden attack of migraine only. It happens when the influences of stress (liver) attack the digestion (spleen). Acupuncture and migraine here might include moxa on ST36, Ren6, Du20, K7, and needling P6 and Ren13.
Migraine pattern #4 – Phlegm reversal pattern
This headache comes with dizziness, heavy-headedness, the feeling like there’s a tight band wrapped around the head, vomiting of phlegm, stuffiness in the chest, and a lack of appetite. It’s a severe complication of digestive deficiency. Phlegm comes from dampness, which is a diseased fluid problem due to poor digestion. Acupuncture and migraine to remedy this would be points like ST40, Sp9, L5, and ST36.
Migraine pattern #5 – Blood stasis obstructing the network vessels
This is a stubborn, stabbing headache that doesn’t change locations. It may be due to injury to the head, or blood may have stagnated due to qi stagnation. Points that fix this one are LI4, Sp6, SP10, and Liv3.
Acupressure resources- you can check out a free acupressure chart on my website at http://pulsemed.org/free-acupressure-chart.htm. For more help with acupressure, you should buy my book, Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind.
Acupuncturist, herbalist, and medical professor Brian B. Carter founded the alternative health megasite The Pulse of Oriental Medicine. He is the author of the book "Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure" (November, 2004). Brian speaks on radio across the country, and has been quoted and interviewed by Real Simple, Glamour, and ESPN magazines.
Article Source: http://www.BharatBhasha.com
Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/health.php/25728
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Migraine Fact and Myth - Do you believe...
Headaches - Separating Migraine Myths From Fact
Do you believe caffeine relieves a migraine? Maybe it does for a small group of headache sufferers. There are some that caffeine inhibits the onset of a severe migraine headache but for others it is a physical trigger. As someone that has had migraines and tension headaches since childhood, I believed in the caffeine theory because products like Exedrin and Pamprin had caffeine in them. In the 70's alot of kids thought if you took aspirin with a drink of Coca cola you would get a buzz. Funny, now that I think of that but honestly, if you are working toward a full blown migraine don't automatically reach for a cup of coffee. Sugar, caffeine, dairy products can all worsen an impending migraine so keep track of your diet and fuild intake.
If your headaches are not improving then look at your caffeine consumption. I know - I love coffee but there was a time I would sit, hold the side of my head while drinking a cup of coffee and telling myself it would help. It often didn't. Truth be told, I had already had several cups of coffee when the migraine started so it was a mistake on my part to continue drinking drinks with caffeine, sugar and milk after the pain (or even the aura) started.
Keeping a headache diary can help determine whether caffeine helps or hurts your migraine. Caffeine is found naturally and as an additive in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, certain soft drinks, and some pain relieving and acute migraine medications.
To Your Health
Tammy
Do you believe caffeine relieves a migraine? Maybe it does for a small group of headache sufferers. There are some that caffeine inhibits the onset of a severe migraine headache but for others it is a physical trigger. As someone that has had migraines and tension headaches since childhood, I believed in the caffeine theory because products like Exedrin and Pamprin had caffeine in them. In the 70's alot of kids thought if you took aspirin with a drink of Coca cola you would get a buzz. Funny, now that I think of that but honestly, if you are working toward a full blown migraine don't automatically reach for a cup of coffee. Sugar, caffeine, dairy products can all worsen an impending migraine so keep track of your diet and fuild intake.
If your headaches are not improving then look at your caffeine consumption. I know - I love coffee but there was a time I would sit, hold the side of my head while drinking a cup of coffee and telling myself it would help. It often didn't. Truth be told, I had already had several cups of coffee when the migraine started so it was a mistake on my part to continue drinking drinks with caffeine, sugar and milk after the pain (or even the aura) started.
Keeping a headache diary can help determine whether caffeine helps or hurts your migraine. Caffeine is found naturally and as an additive in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, certain soft drinks, and some pain relieving and acute migraine medications.
To Your Health
Tammy
Monday, August 14, 2006
Headaches and Computers - Internet Surfing Really a Pain?
Can Headaches be Caused by Sitting at a Computer?
By Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.
Has it ever occurred to you that while you are happily typing away on your computer for hours on end you are actually creating a problem in your neck that can lead to chronic headaches? If you suffer from migraine headaches or tension headaches it may be something you should investigate.
When a person with migraine headaches or tension headaches visits a chiropractor for their pain what does the chiropractor typically do for that patient? The usual treatment for most headache patients is to manipulate, or adjust, the neck. Chiropractors teach us that most headaches come from neck problems, and that by adjusting or manipulating the neck tension and migraine headaches can be relieved or cured.
Over 80% of headache patients that receive chiropractic treatment show improvement that ranges from slight improvement up to complete elimination of their headache pain. If this is the case then it seems logical that the majority of migraine headaches or tension headaches originate from spinal (neck) problems. It also seems logical that if we knew what was causing these neck problems, and eliminated what was causing them, we could also eliminate the headaches, both migraine and tension.
As a chiropractor for 25 years I have treated many patients with migraine headaches and tension headaches. After examining thousands of patients I discovered that as many as 95% who were experiencing headaches had one thing in common, a reversed cervical (neck) curve. From the side view a normal neck should have a slight curve in it. But in my experience as a chiropractor I estimate that approximately 95% of my patients with headaches had either a lessening of that curve, no curve at all, or a curve that was completely reversed. When these “poor neck curvatures” were treated with chiropractic adjustments most showed great improvement.
Chiropractors know that headaches can be caused by “poor neck posture,” so the next question becomes “can sitting at a computer cause poor neck posture?” If the answer is yes, then it’s obvious that sitting at a computer can and does cause headaches.
People usually develop poor neck curvatures because of poor posture habits. Anything a person does that places their head in a position forward to their body will lessen or reverse their normal neck curve. And poor neck curvatures DO cause headaches. Chiropractors have been teaching this for decades.
The types of activities that can lead to poor neck posture include sitting at a computer for extended periods of time, reading with the head bent forward, sitting while slouching in a chair or on a couch, sleeping with the head or neck in odd positions, or any other activity that places the head in a position forward to the body. So, to answer our original question, yes, headaches can be caused by sitting at a computer. Sitting at a computer can cause an abnormal neck curvature to develop which can cause headaches.
Good posture can surely prevent the development of poor neck posture, which would seem to be the best remedy, but what can be done if the lessening or reversal of the neck curve has already been developed? Obviously, chiropractic treatment is an option that could be considered. But there are many other alternative treatments for tension or migraine headaches.
Most people just take a pain pill. But are pain pills the best approach? They surely are in some cases, but there are many other headache treatment options that don’t require the use of potentially harmful drugs. All drugs have side effects, some of which can end up being worse than the headaches themselves. Before treating your health problems with drugs it is wise to seek the advice of a health professional.
There are many natural remedies for migraine headaches or tension headaches. These include stress and tension reduction, ice therapy (used at the base of the skull), eliminating food triggers, getting the proper amount of rest, biofeedback, headache pillows or cushions, exercise and many others. Some of these may help relieve headaches, both migraine and tension, and could be investigated further.
Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has patented a unique neck pillow that was designed to correct neck problems that cause headaches, both tension headaches and migraines. For information about his natural approach for relieving migraine headaches please visit http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com
By Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.
Has it ever occurred to you that while you are happily typing away on your computer for hours on end you are actually creating a problem in your neck that can lead to chronic headaches? If you suffer from migraine headaches or tension headaches it may be something you should investigate.
When a person with migraine headaches or tension headaches visits a chiropractor for their pain what does the chiropractor typically do for that patient? The usual treatment for most headache patients is to manipulate, or adjust, the neck. Chiropractors teach us that most headaches come from neck problems, and that by adjusting or manipulating the neck tension and migraine headaches can be relieved or cured.
Over 80% of headache patients that receive chiropractic treatment show improvement that ranges from slight improvement up to complete elimination of their headache pain. If this is the case then it seems logical that the majority of migraine headaches or tension headaches originate from spinal (neck) problems. It also seems logical that if we knew what was causing these neck problems, and eliminated what was causing them, we could also eliminate the headaches, both migraine and tension.
As a chiropractor for 25 years I have treated many patients with migraine headaches and tension headaches. After examining thousands of patients I discovered that as many as 95% who were experiencing headaches had one thing in common, a reversed cervical (neck) curve. From the side view a normal neck should have a slight curve in it. But in my experience as a chiropractor I estimate that approximately 95% of my patients with headaches had either a lessening of that curve, no curve at all, or a curve that was completely reversed. When these “poor neck curvatures” were treated with chiropractic adjustments most showed great improvement.
Chiropractors know that headaches can be caused by “poor neck posture,” so the next question becomes “can sitting at a computer cause poor neck posture?” If the answer is yes, then it’s obvious that sitting at a computer can and does cause headaches.
People usually develop poor neck curvatures because of poor posture habits. Anything a person does that places their head in a position forward to their body will lessen or reverse their normal neck curve. And poor neck curvatures DO cause headaches. Chiropractors have been teaching this for decades.
The types of activities that can lead to poor neck posture include sitting at a computer for extended periods of time, reading with the head bent forward, sitting while slouching in a chair or on a couch, sleeping with the head or neck in odd positions, or any other activity that places the head in a position forward to the body. So, to answer our original question, yes, headaches can be caused by sitting at a computer. Sitting at a computer can cause an abnormal neck curvature to develop which can cause headaches.
Good posture can surely prevent the development of poor neck posture, which would seem to be the best remedy, but what can be done if the lessening or reversal of the neck curve has already been developed? Obviously, chiropractic treatment is an option that could be considered. But there are many other alternative treatments for tension or migraine headaches.
Most people just take a pain pill. But are pain pills the best approach? They surely are in some cases, but there are many other headache treatment options that don’t require the use of potentially harmful drugs. All drugs have side effects, some of which can end up being worse than the headaches themselves. Before treating your health problems with drugs it is wise to seek the advice of a health professional.
There are many natural remedies for migraine headaches or tension headaches. These include stress and tension reduction, ice therapy (used at the base of the skull), eliminating food triggers, getting the proper amount of rest, biofeedback, headache pillows or cushions, exercise and many others. Some of these may help relieve headaches, both migraine and tension, and could be investigated further.
Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has patented a unique neck pillow that was designed to correct neck problems that cause headaches, both tension headaches and migraines. For information about his natural approach for relieving migraine headaches please visit http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Tame Migraine Headaches Naturally
Tame Migraine Headaches - Naturally
By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD
New data revealed June 27, 2006 at the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society, migraine headaches cost American employers more than $24 billion a year in direct and indirect healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Can migraine headache suffers find relief for the pain without breaking the bank? A study completed by P.E. Strang, W.H. Crown, R. Bizier, et al suggests preventative approaches are far more effective than is commonly believed. Preventative measures can eliminate the need for pharmaceuticals or natural remedies, as well as pain/suffering and lost work.
The most common prevention techniques include, but are not limited to:
•Decrease stress
• Affirm yourself: “I relax into the flow of life and let life provide all that I need easily and comfortably. Life is for me.”
• Decrease Caffeine--drink decaffeinated tea/coffee and eliminate all other drinks with caffeine
• Discover any food allergies/sensitivities—chocolate, cheese, nuts, alcohol, MSG, eggs yolks, wheat, yeast, beef can trigger—eliminate the foods that trigger allergy or sensitivities
• Eat Right for Your (Blood) Type
• Maintain healthy body weight
• 7 to 8 hours of sleep – preferably at least 1 hour of sleep before midnight
• Exercise—aerobics, calisthenics, power walks, hiking or weight training—at least 2 times a week
• Use a natural Detox system to cleanse the liver, kidneys, and colon. Buildup of toxins and poor liver functioning can be responsible for headaches because of the body's inability to eliminate toxins from the diet or the environment.
• Low blood sugar levels can also bring on headaches, especially if you have skipped a meal. Eliminate all processed sugar and foods with processed sugar or corn syrup. Not only will you eliminate headaches you will lose weight and/or avoid weight gain.
Resource: Stang, P.E., Crown, W.H., Bizier, R., et al. “The Family impact and costs of migraine,” American Journal of Managed Care, May 2004:313-320.
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Author, International Speaker specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening.
By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD
New data revealed June 27, 2006 at the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society, migraine headaches cost American employers more than $24 billion a year in direct and indirect healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Can migraine headache suffers find relief for the pain without breaking the bank? A study completed by P.E. Strang, W.H. Crown, R. Bizier, et al suggests preventative approaches are far more effective than is commonly believed. Preventative measures can eliminate the need for pharmaceuticals or natural remedies, as well as pain/suffering and lost work.
The most common prevention techniques include, but are not limited to:
•Decrease stress
• Affirm yourself: “I relax into the flow of life and let life provide all that I need easily and comfortably. Life is for me.”
• Decrease Caffeine--drink decaffeinated tea/coffee and eliminate all other drinks with caffeine
• Discover any food allergies/sensitivities—chocolate, cheese, nuts, alcohol, MSG, eggs yolks, wheat, yeast, beef can trigger—eliminate the foods that trigger allergy or sensitivities
• Eat Right for Your (Blood) Type
• Maintain healthy body weight
• 7 to 8 hours of sleep – preferably at least 1 hour of sleep before midnight
• Exercise—aerobics, calisthenics, power walks, hiking or weight training—at least 2 times a week
• Use a natural Detox system to cleanse the liver, kidneys, and colon. Buildup of toxins and poor liver functioning can be responsible for headaches because of the body's inability to eliminate toxins from the diet or the environment.
• Low blood sugar levels can also bring on headaches, especially if you have skipped a meal. Eliminate all processed sugar and foods with processed sugar or corn syrup. Not only will you eliminate headaches you will lose weight and/or avoid weight gain.
Resource: Stang, P.E., Crown, W.H., Bizier, R., et al. “The Family impact and costs of migraine,” American Journal of Managed Care, May 2004:313-320.
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Author, International Speaker specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening.
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