Headaches
Citrus Alternative Medicine
By: Joseph E. Samuels, D.O.M.
Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Oriental Medicine is very effective for treating patients who suffer from headaches. The key to success lies in the way Doctors of Oriental Medicine diagnose a patient. From an Oriental medical perspective, people suffer from headaches for many different reasons. Listed below are a few examples of why people suffer from headaches as well as some of the therapeutic actions of Oriental Medicine.
Structural abnormalities of the head or neck: which can be seen through medical imaging.
- Intra-cranial pressure due to brain tumors, aneurysms, or cerebral stenosis
- Misalignment or deterioration of the cervical area of the spine
- Muscle tightness, spasms, cramps, swelling or inflammation of the head or neck
Internal organ disharmonies and external pathogenic factors: which in part are determined by the location of the headache as well as the quality of pain the patient is experiencing.
Location of Pain:
- Top of the head
- One side of the head
- Both sides of the head
- Temporal area of the head
- Back of the head
- Front of the head
- Whole head
- Pain behind the eyes
Quality of Pain:
- Dull headache
- Feeling of heaviness in the head
- Distending pain in the head
- Pain and stiffness in back of the neck
- Stabbing pain in the head
- Feeling of emptiness in the head
Other factors also include:
- The time of day a person gets a headache
- Headaches that get worse with activity and better with rest
- Headaches caused by certain weather conditions (hot, cold, damp, wind)
- Headaches that manifest from stress or anger
- Headaches due to poor posture and improper positioning of the head
- Headaches caused from toxic poisoning
- Headaches caused by different menstrual disorders
The therapeutic actions of Oriental Medicine include:
- Analgesic effect to relieve pain
- Anti-inflammatory effect to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Muscle relaxant to relieve stiffness, spasms and cramps
- Improves peripheral and micro circulation to relieve and prevent cerebral ischemia
- Invigorates blood circulation and clears blood stagnation
Diet and lifestyle instruction are also addressed in addition to acupuncture and Oriental Medical pharmacology
From a Nutritional Perspective:
Avoid foods that contain (Tyramine) such as alcohol, chocolate, banana, citrus fruits, avocado,cabbage, potato, coffee, tobacco, most dairy products and junk foods.
From a Lifestyle Perspective:
Avoid direct exposure to air condition, fans and wind. Also avoid stressful situations whenever possible. Regular exercise, adequate rest and good sleeping habits are also essential.