By Andrew Gaeddert
This is the second part of an article on the traditional Chinese medical approach to treating pain of various kinds.
The typical American response to a headache is to take a pain medication such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The common analgesics, while effective for the occasional headache, are not suitable for long-term use. Aspirin and ibuprofen can lead to digestive complications; ibuprofen can strain the kidneys and contribute to male infertility; and acetaminophen can harm the liver, particularly in those who already suffer liver damage, such as alcoholics.
Headache is a symptom of an underlying problem. According to biomedicine, up to 90% of headaches are due to tension. Such tension can occur in the muscles of the head, neck, and scalp in response to physical and/or emotional stress. Depression, eyestrain, and poor posture can also lead to tension headache. This type of pain is usually characterized by a dull ache in the temples, back of the head or neck.
Migraine and cluster headaches are in the realm of vascular headaches, and are caused by dilation or constriction of the blood vessels in the head. Migraines are characterized by severe pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. Cluster headaches can occur over days, weeks, or months, and then suddenly stop. There is severe pain behind one eye and the nasal passages are often congested. (See case history)
Inflammatory headache is caused by an infection or inflammation of the eyes, ears, or nasal passages. The pain usually disappears when the infection or inflammation has cleared. Internal traction head ache is caused by tumor or other growths, and should always be ruled out. This brings us to another important point – biomedical diagnosis is essential, particularly if the patient suffers several headaches per week, or if the headaches are especially severe.
Intolerance to certain foods can lead to headache as well. Items that are known to give rise to headache include alcohol, caffeinated beverages, dairy products, wheat, artificial flavorings, fermented products such as sour cream and vinegar.
Additional foods that have been implicated are chocolate, citrus fruits, and eggs, among others. Withdrawal from caffeine is also known to induce headaches.
Headache can also be the result of a long-term improper diet. This type of headache is often due to rising Phlegm veiling the head. A diet that is too rich in sweet and/or greasy foods, or one that consists of an overabundance of spicy hot foods, can lead to an accumulation of Phlegm. (See case history)
Other causes of headache can include medications such as birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy. Withdrawal from certain pharmaceuticals can also have headache as a side effect. Hormonal fluctuations, too much or too little sleep, sudden changes in daily routine, and exposure to smoke or toxic chemicals can trigger headache as well. Thus, before instituting a treatment plan, practitioners should take a detailed medical history of the patient in order to ascertain the exact cause of the headache. Practitioners should also learn whether the pharmaceuticals the patient is taking can have headache as a side effect.
TREATMENT
In treating headache, patients should be encouraged to take a holistic attitude toward addressing the condition. Certainly, a natural and non-pharmaceutical treatment regimen is helpful; however, if the source of the problem is not resolved, in the end, no amount of herbs will help. For example, with tension headache, exercise and stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, qi gong, and progressive relaxation are advisable so as to reduce the occurrence of and eventually prevent headache. For headache caused by an intolerance to certain foods, avoidance of the offending product(s) is in order. And headache due to an improper diet should be addressed by a change in dietary habit.
Health Concerns has several formulas that are quite effective in addressing headaches of various kinds. Of course, before administering these formulas, the correct traditional diagnosis must be made.
One such formula is Ease Plus which is beneficial for stress headache. The ingredients in this formula are aimed at relaxing the Spirit and spreading constrained Liver Qi. Combine this formula with Head-Q (three to five capsules of each formula, three times daily).
Another common headache is that due to Liver Yang, characterized by a tugging type of pain in the temples and vertex. Other symptoms can include dizziness, restlessness, easily angered, disturbed sleep, and a wiry pulse. For this type of headache, Coptis Purge Fire is a suitable remedy. One case example is an investment banker who worked long hours and suffered Liver Yang rising headaches. He received considerable relief by using a combination of Coptis Purge Fire and Ease Plus (three capsules of each formula, three times daily). After three weeks his headaches were much improved and he was then switched to a stress-relieving protocol of Ease Plus combined with Calm Spirit (two v of each formula, four times daily).
Food intolerance headache is often seen in individuals who have multiple allergies. Those affected by Qi deficiency usually suffer low-grade headache; the formula Quiet Digestion (two capsules, three times daily) can be used to harmonize the Spleen and Stomach. When Dampness is less of a concern, tonifying formulas such as Six Gentlemen or Source Qi (tiredness and loose stools) (three capsules of each formula, three times daily) can be administered.
Headache caused by rising Phlegm is characterized by pain that resembles having a tight band around the head; in addition, many patients indicate that they feel as if there is a blanket over their heads, or that they are “foggy headed.” Because Liver Wind is also a factor in these patients, the therapeutic regimen should be a combination of Lucid Channel– for Phlegm, and Gastrodia Relieve Wind– for Liver Wind (two capsules of each formula, four times daily).
In women, headache is common around the time of menstruation. A pattern that is often seen is deficiency Heat that results in rising Liver Yang. For this type of headache, Three Immortals (three capsules, three times daily) to address the deficiency Heat is a suitable remedy. (See case history below.)
Headache due to acute sinus infection and nasal congestion can be treated with Nasal Caps 2 and Isatis Gold (two capsules of each, every few hours daily). Chronic sinusitis causing nasal congestion can be relieved with Nasal Caps 2 and Coptis Purge Fire (two capsules, every few hours).
HEADACHE CASE HISTORIES\
MIGRANE HEADACHE
Mary is a 30-year old editor who had a 15-year history of migraine headaches. She was aware of and avoided the triggers, such as red wine and chocolate, that set off the headaches, yet they persisted. She averaged three to five migraines a week. I referred her to a colleague who practices acupuncture, since acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraine headache when applied two or more times per week. However, Mary decided not to undertake my suggestion because she is afraid of needles. Her pulse was wiry and excessive, and her tongue was red around the edges.
To start, I suggested a general exercise and stress reduction program. She also began taking the formulas Ease Plus and Head Q (three capsules of each, three times daily). A follow-up two weeks later revealed little change in symptoms. Mary had begun to exercise, but was not able to follow through with the progressive relaxation exercises that I had recommended. She was also not taking the correct dosage of the formulas because she had misunderstood my instructions. I reminded her not to work while eating, and to do some walking following meals so that she would not plunge back into work after eating.
At her one-month follow-up, Mary reported that she was now experiencing only one migraine a week. She had started attending a yoga class which helped her relax, and was taking the herbal capsules more consistently. She was also exercising more faithfully. Six months later I ran into her by accident, and she said that she now suffered headaches only occasionally. For these attacks, the Ease Plus and Head Q were usually effective in relieving headache. She was practicing yoga daily, and going to the gym a few days per week.
DISCUSSION
Although I have encountered individuals whose headaches are completely resolved after a short period of treatment, Mary’s case is more typical in that there is a reduction in the number rather than a complete elimination of migraine attacks. In terms of administration of Head Q, I have recommended an initial dosage of up to five capsules, three times daily for some patients. This is an excellent base formula for addressing headaches. However, Head Q is only used to treat the branch of the pattern, i.e., the headache, whereas other formulas must be administered to treat the root.
HEADACHE DUE TO IMPROPER DIET
Pedro is an auto mechanic in his early forties who usually worked outdoors. Almost every weekend, he had headaches all weekend long. He also suffered occasional joint pain and frequent upset stomach. His pulse was sinking and wiry, and his tongue had a sticky white coating. When asked if he drank alcohol, he replied that he was not a heavy drinker, and only had hard liquor on the weekends and a couple of beers every evening after work. I also ascertained that he ate a great deal of spicy foods.
I indicated to him that his headaches and other symptoms were due to his alcohol consumption as well as to his overeating of spicy foods. He answered casually. “Maybe.” I then recommended that he take Quiet Digestion and Mobility 3 (two capsules of each, four times daily). Quiet Digestion was indicated to transform Dampness and food stasis, and the Mobility Three to dispel the Wind and Damp-Cold symptoms. I also suggested that he cut down on his alcohol and spicy food intake. Four weeks later, he reported that the headaches had disappeared and that his digestive symptoms were much improved. He also indicated that he had reduced his alcohol and spicy food consumption. He continued to take the Quiet Digestion (two capsules, twice daily) for another month.
MENSTRUAL HEADACHE
Arleen is a claims adjuster in her mid-forties. Her primary complaint consisted of the following symptoms: headache during menstruation, dysmenorrhea, hot flashes, fatigue, cold hands and feet, water retention, and acne. She was also slightly overweight. Her pulse was sinking and slightly fast, and her tongue was pale and dry.
I recommended the following regimen: Three Immortals (three capsules, three times daily) for deficiency Heat and Six Gentlemen (two capsules, three times daily) for Qi deficiency and stagnation. In addition, during menstruation she took Head Q (four capsules, three times daily), which is aimed at moving the Blood and treating the headache symptomatically, and Cramp Bark Plus (three capsules, three times daily), which invigorates the Blood to treat dysmenorrhea. I also suggested that she stay warm, particularly during her menstrual period, in order to protect against invasion of Cold.
After three months, Arleen had considerably more energy, no longer felt so cold. The Six Gentlemen was discontinued and Coptis Purge Fire (one capsule, three times daily) was substituted instead, so as to address the hot flashes. The headaches during menstruation were greatly reduced in incidence, although not entirely eliminated, so she was maintained on the Two Immortals, and she took Cramp Bark Plus and Head Q (dosages as before) during menstruation.
The third part of this article will address other types of pain such as that due to herpes and other conditions.
For part 3 of this series, click here.
REV 2022