Using Acupuncture to Treat Chronic Headache
-- by NZ Acupuncturist Eric Wang --
Most people that suffer headaches turn to pain killers for relief, yet there are many side effects associated with painkillers, especially with long term use. Acupuncture treatment is an excellent pain relief method that can quickly resolve your chronic headache without side effects. Practiced for over 1000 years in ancient China, acupuncture has been accepted worldwide as a method for treating not only pain relief but a range of other ailments.
The TCM theory, “When you suffer pain on certain parts of your body you have a blockage trapping your energy flow causing you to suffer pain”. The Acupuncturist uses very fine needles placed at certain points on the body to help ease many medical problems. Acupuncture can regulate Qi(life energy) and blood circulation. Qi flows through the body in channels known as meridians. When the Qi is disturbed or unbalanced or blocked this is when you feel and unwell and suffer pain. The aim of acupuncture is to restore the balance of Qi allowing the energy to flow smoothly through the body.
With
varying causes of chronic headache the ‘root reason’ is still an energy blockage, this often
affects those with a stressful life. By combining methods such as the Gua
Sha method (using a special plate to scrape the skin to help remove toxins from
the body), along with the cupping method (using special cups to suction the
toxins from the body), or the Moxibustion method (the use of a special herbal
roll named ‘Moxa’ to warm your body, and massage therapy to relax muscles and
tendons. Using a combination of these produces good results and helps
reconnect your self-healing energy to repair any injury. In
my clinical practise,
I have found some patients who suffer from chronic headache with the area too
sensitive for the use of needles. I often use distal points to help
them alleviate and guide the stuck energy away form the head towards the feet.
Patients with the most chronic headaches, I often choose the Liver
and Gallbladder meridian to regulate energy and alleviate pain. The typical
combination is point GB8(Shuigu), EX-HN3(Yintang),
L14(Hegu),GB40(Qiuxu),LIV3(Taichong). These points include local points and
distal points. L14 (Hegu) combined with LIV3 (Taichong). This combination has
the special name “open four gates” it can give a strong function to regulate
the energy blockage. After
acupuncture treatment I often choose either “Gua Sha”, Cupping or “Moxibustion
method” to detox or warm up patients’ meridians. Finally I give
a gentle massage to relax the patients’ stress and tension on the head area.
Generally speaking the combination of the acupuncture treatment gives a very
satisfying result. If
you have further inquires please contact “Eric Wang Acupuncture & Herb
Clinic” phone (09)
2986686, mobile 0211063668 Address: 111 Great South Rd, Papakura, Auckland,
New Zealand
Email[email protected] Website:
www.ericwangacupuncture.co.nz
