Headaches are commonplace. Everyone gets a headache at one time or another. Statistics show that more women than men have headaches.

There are two main types of headaches. The first is the tension headache, which come s from muscular tension. The second type is the migraine, which is the result of a disturbance in the blood circulation to the brain.

Headaches can be dull or severe. The severe cases are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, speech disorders, weakness, and/or tingling and numbness in the limbs.

Several reasons are given by Western medical practitioners as the root cause of headaches: stress, tension, anxiety, hypertension, allergies, constipation, excess caffeine consumption, eye problems, hunger, nasal problems, muscle tension, spinal misalignment, hormonal imbalances, TMJ syndrome, trauma to the head, nutritional deficiencies, over indulgence in alcohol, taking drugs, overdoses of vitamin A, smoking, virus, and fever.

Traditional Chinese medicine agrees with the above, except that the headaches are attributable to a certain disease. Traditional Chinese medicine also holds that headaches may be the result of attacking of pathogenic wind into the meridians; an upsurge of liver-yang; and from a deficiency of Chi and blood. Attacking of pathogenic wind into meridians usually occurs when a person does not have a strong immune system, or when the person is exposed to wind after sweating, or goes with wet hair.

Another cause is an upsurge of liver-yang generally related to imbalance diet, drinking alcohol, smoking, taking drugs, liver problems, hypertension, hormonal disorder or stress. A deficiency of Chi and blood really is brought about by having an imbalanced diet or from low energy of the organs, occurring when the body is unable to absorb nutrition from the healthy food.

Whatever the root of the headache, it will usually be relieved with only one to three acupuncture treatments. If it is due to a sinus infection, acupuncture may be used to heal the sinus infection as well. When sinus infection is cured, the headache will disappear automatically. If constipation is the problem, acupuncture points are selected to promote proper bowel movements, and then the headache will be gone.

Headaches can be caused by a variety of health problems. It is dangerous to simply take a pill. It is better to see a doctor to find out the cause of the headache and get treatment early to avoid the development of serious health problems in the future.

Contact Li Hua L.Ac. TCMD at Atlanta Acupuncture Center or 404-250-9903 or e-mail lihua@aac2000.com or surf her web site at www.aac2000.com