Acupuncture and Herbs Relieve Headaches

November 2000

Instead of reaching for aspirin to relieve a headache, let's try acupuncture and herbs. This ancient Chinese therapy can take pain away, has fewer side effects and may completely resolve the problem. The following two case studies provide a good example.

Barbara Barat: She has had headaches for 25-30 years. They have been severe for the last 2-3 months. She has a headache everyday. It's located in the forehead. She was taking 4-6 pain pills a day. Her tongue was pale with a thin, white coating and pulses weak. According to the above information, the differentiation falls to blood deficiency. Treatment consisted of acu-points: Yin Tang, Tai Yang, B2, SO, Du23, G14, LI4, St36. Herbal formula: Shu Di, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Chuan Xiong, Shou Wu, Suan Zao Ren, Ye Jiao Teng, Fang Feng, Fu Ling, Lu Man Cao, Dang Sheng, Gan Cao

After the first acupuncture and herb treatment her headache was relieved for 5 days. The same acupuncture treatment was offered. Following the second treatment she decided she didn't like the needles. After this I only gave the herbal remedies to support her body. Her initial visit was 1/17/98. After about 3 months of regulation her headache was under control. She still comes to my office once in awhile to have some herbs to maintain the results.

N.K.: She has suffered a constant headache for about one and a half months. It's located in back of the head and neck area. When the pain was severe it gave her nausea. She put some ice on which seemed to help. Sometimes the pain was combined with dizziness. This headache was caused by excess heat combined with Yin deficiency. Her tongue was red with a yellow coating and pulses thin. Bp 120/80. Acu-points used: Dul4, 620,21, B10, Ashi, LI4, 11, 15, SJ5, SI3. Herbal formula: She Joe Ming, Sheng Di, Dang Gui, Bai Ji Li, Dan Pi, Huang Qin, Ze Xie, etc.

Four days later she came for another acupuncture treatment. She told me that 80% of the headache was gone. I offered the same treatment. After a total of five acupuncture treatments the headache was resolved.

According to Chinese medical theory, headaches have different causes and should be treated individually. The above two cases show how acupuncture and Chinese herbs are used to effectively regulate the body, control headaches and bring lasting relief.