Chinese Herbs Or Remedies For Occipital Headaches

Herbs and other natural treatments have been used for centuries to treat headaches. Both Chinese herbs and acupuncture help relieve occipital headaches along with a wide range of related symptoms and diseases. Both modalities are encompassed under the umbrella of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, and practitioners of this art are doctors of Chinese medicine. Using a licensed practitioner of TCM is the best and safest way to obtain relief from your headaches.

Occipital Neuralgia

The term occipital neuralgia describes the pain-spasm-pain cycle occurring in the back of the head that is responsible for occipital headaches, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. These headaches can prevent proper movement of the head and neck and often radiate to the front and sides of the head as well as down the back and shoulders.

Causes

Nervous tension is among one of many causes for occipital headaches. Women are more disposed to getting this type of headache than are men. Other causes are trauma, such as a whiplash or injury experienced during exercise. Additionally, you may experience occipital headaches resulting from pinched nerves, tumors, arthritis and gout and diabetes as well as inflammation of the blood vessels in the shoulders, neck and back of the head.

Symptoms

The pain associated with occipital headaches can radiate into the shoulders and upper back and up into the head starting near the base of the skull and moving along the top side of the head to the eyes and temples. They can be felt on either side of the head or on both sides. Your scalp may be tender to the touch and you may feel nausea or dizzy, or you may experience light sensitivity and pain in the eyes, forehead and at the base of the nose.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture shows great promise in the treatment of occipital headaches, according to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Acupuncture is a system of Chinese medicine where fine needles are inserted into places on the body believed to hold the body's qi, or energy, in place. Upon insertion of the needles, it is thought that the trapped qi is released to flow freely in its natural pattern throughout the body. By releasing the trapped energy, much of the patient's pain is released in the process. Acupuncture helps induce muscle relaxation and stimulates the body into releasing pain. Many types and styles of acupuncture exist and finding the best one for your condition is important. Interview the doctor before engaging in the session to find out ahead of time what you may experience. Acupuncture is ordinarily safe when practiced by a trained doctor of Oriental medicine, or OMD. This therapy is best suited to people who prefer not to use medicines and oral drugs to pacify their pain.

Chinese Herbs

Specific Chinese herbal formulas are often prepared by an OMD to complement the acupuncture session and treat occipital headaches. One of these formulas is called Cang Er Zi San. It contains the Chinese herbs Xin Yi, Cang Er Zi, Bai Zhi and Bo He. These are available at the doctor's office or at apothecaries specializing in Chinese herbal mixtures. If you choose to purchase these herbs individually, you can combine them into an herbal tea by grinding the dried herbs in a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle and making a fine powder of each. Mix 2 g of each herb to green tea or tea made from Cong Bai and drink three times daily. Because certain herbs can causes side effects, it is better to consult an OMD for a specific formula designed individually for your condition.