Headache
Pain in the head may arise in the pain-sensitive structures within the cranium (meninges and large arteries) or in the extracranial tissues of the head and neck (occipital, temporal and frontal muscle groups, the skin of the scalp, and extracranial arteries). Types of headache include sinus, migraine, cluster, hypertensive, hypoglycemic, tension, brain tumor and temporal arthritis. The latter two require surgery and should not be treated by acupuncture.
One of the commonest types of headache is the tension headache. It is usually occipital in location, but may occasionally be frontal. Such headaches can be identified by their relationship to emotional stress or fatigue and are often accompanied by tenderness of the posterior neck muscles. The headaches of eye strain may be present with similar symptoms, but the cause is usually readily identifiable. Headaches described as being "like a sense of pressure', or like a "tight constricting band" are usually classified ad tension headaches.
Migraine headaches may have an allergic and/or familial component. They usually involve only one side of the head and may be accompanied by nausea, dizziness and visual distortions. Some people refer to these as "histamine headaches" and attempt to treat them by desensitization to histamine or antihistamine drugs. The results of such treatment, however, are usually disappointing.
Many patients with severe headaches have been given narcotic preparations, such as codeine and demerol or aspirin for temporary relief. Belladonna alkaloids and ergotamine (Cafergot) are frequently prescribed. If these are ineffective, dimethysergide (Sansert) may be used. All of these drugs have unacceptable side-effects and are not recommended for long-term use. Even aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and bruising. Acetaminophen (Datril and Tylenol) do not upset the stomach but can cause liver damage. Demerol and Codeine are narcotics which can cause addiction. Caffeine irritates the heart muscle and can cause palpitation as well as anxiety and insomnia. Ergot derivatives constrict the peripheral blood vessels and can cause hypertension and other circulatory problems. An overdose can lead to gangrene, requiring amputation of limbs. Methysergide causes fibrosis of lungs, heart valves, major blood vessels and other vital organs. It can also cause hair loss, edema and hallucinations.
Most patients obtain relief of headaches after six to ten acupuncture treatments. Some require more treatments or a series of 6 treatments as often as every 6 months. Since there is no drug which is safe as well as effective for relieving headaches, acupuncture should be considered the treatment of choice for migraine, tension and sinus headaches.
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Indications:senility,fatigue,
tinnitus,deafness,insomnia
,constipation,night-sweat,
poor memory,anaemia... |
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Indications: general debility, aversion to cold, lumbago, soreness of waist, edema of limbs, fatigue... |
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