Headaches
What type of headache are you experiencing?
Within the context of Chinese medicine there are several distinct types of headache, each which correlates to a different organ system. Understanding the root causes of your headache will provide you the information needed to treat it properly and resolve it efficiently.
By Quality
Dull / Aching - This is a deficiency type headache, often caused by cold or qi deficiency
Sharp / Throbbing - This is an excess or stagnation type headache, usually caused by heat or wind
Fixed & Stabbing - This relates to blood stasis; the more fixed the pain is, the more likely it is blood stagnation
Moving / Pulling - This relates to wind
Heavy / Muzzy - This relates to dampness and is rooted in the intestines
By Region
Frontal Headaches -These are headaches which are experienced in the sinuses and forehead and they related to the Stomach channel. This type of headache is most commonly from either dampness which has compromised the spleen function, leading to a chronic dull frontal headache, or from heat in the stomach channel leading to dehydration and a throbbing aching frontal headache which is centered around the eyes.
Temporal Headaches - These are headaches which stem from the Gallbladder channel and nearly always result from heat in the Liver. This is the most common type of stress headache and it very often manifests as a migraine, which characteristically has the accompanying symptoms of nausea, visual disturbance, dizziness, and photophobia. Tinnitus is very often an accompanying symptom with headaches which stem from Liver heat.
Occipital Headaches - These are associated with the Urinary Bladder channel and generally stem from contracture of the muscles on the upper back and neck. This may come secondary to a viral infection (rhinovirus/common cold, influenza, or another), which stimulates a contraction of these muscle groups. It may also come following exposure to cold or windy weather or from overuse of these muscle groups.
Vertex Headaches - These are associated with the Liver and are either related with deficiency of Liver Blood, when accompanied by corroborating signs such as mild dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, thin pulse, pale tongue, or with overactivity of the Liver or heat in the Liver (confirmed by the presence of heat signs).
Whole Head Headaches - This may be associated with deficiency of the Kidneys, when it is an empty feeling that is chronic and made worse by activity, or it may stem from exposure to wind or cold / viral infection as was described with occipital headache patterns.
Treatments
Treatment for headaches involves a combination of:
Removing triggers - this means stressful life factors, environmental irritants, alcohol, dietary triggers, etc.
Addressing the affected organ specifically to return it to a state of balance
Acupuncture, Herbs, Massage to relieve muscular tension and clear inflammation where it is present
In general if you are experiencing headache it is a good idea to make sure you are well hydrated and especially drinking high electrolyte beverages. Gentle stretching to open the neck, shoulders, and back will help to relax the pressure in the head. If your headache feels throbbing and sharp you should lie down to rest and drink plenty of water and make sure you eat plenty of nourishing food. Small amounts of peppermint essential oil applied as a dilution to the temples can help to relieve this pain at home. If your headache is dull and heavy, you should do some light movement like walking and avoid eating too much. Heat applied to the abdomen or low back may be helpful or some ginger and honey tea.
If you are experiencing a headache which has come on suddenly with severe pain accompanied by any of the following symptoms: Confusion, numbness, difficulty speaking, changes is facial features, weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, visual disturbance, or deviated gaze, this could be a serious medical emergency (stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia, etc.) and you should immediately go to a hospital for evaluation.