What are Migraines?
Migraines are a specific type of headache that lasts 4-72 hours, is throbbing
in nature and moderate to severe in intensity, is one-sided, and is worse
with exertion. Migraines may also be associated with nausea, vomiting,
or sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. In order to be diagnosed as
suffering from migraines, one only needs to experience 3-4 of these symptoms.
Currently it is estimated, that 24 million Americans have migraines.
They occur more in women than in men and mostly between 10-40 years of
age. More than 50% of migraineurs have a family history of this disorder.
What Causes Them?
According to Western medicine, the cause of migraines is unknown and their
mechanisms are poorly understood. Triggers include cycling estrogen,
insomnia, changes in barometric pressure and hunger. While there is a
wide spread belief that certain foods, such as chocolate, cheese, and
red wine, may trigger migraines, research has not confirmed this belief.
How Does Chinese Medicine See Migraines?
In Chinese medicine, most migraines are due to an upward counterflow of
qi into the head. This upwardly counterflow qi is usually due to liver
depression and its various complications. In woman, blood vacuity not
nourishing the liver is often the cause or trigger of this upward counterflow.
As this yang qi ascends to fill up the bony box of the head, it may draft
with it dampness, phlegm, and turbidity. If this congestion recurs over
a long period of time, it may also result in the formation of blood stasis
in the channels and network vessels of the head.
How Does Chinese Medicine Treat Migraines?
Because each patient presents with their own unique combination of Chinese
medical disease mechanisms, the first step in treating migraines with
acupuncture and Chinese medicine is to do personalized pattern discrimination.
It is professional pattern discrimination which allows the Chinese medical
practitioner to determine the exact right combination of therapies for
each patient. This combination of therapies may consist of acupuncture,
Chinese herbal medicine, or both. It will be typically also consist of
diet and lifestyle modifications to treat the underlying root of the
condition. Acupuncture may be used either to preventively or remedially
during an acute attack. Often, acupuncture can abort or decrease migraine
pain within minutes of insertion of the needles. Chinese herbal medicine
may be administered in the form of desiccated, powdered extracts or bulk
herbs brewed and drunk as a tea several times per day.
Reference: Blue Poppy Press