Headaches and Migraine

Headaches are a cripplingly painful condition that has plagued mankind since ancient times. Originally thought to represent a punishment from the gods, in the Middle Ages they were believed to be caused by an accumulation of 'bad humours', while by the beginning of the 20th century they were thought to have psychological causes. We now think that headaches may have their origins in our evolutionary past, in our transition to bipedal status. Although we are gradually discovering more about headaches and how to treat them, unfortunately a complete cure still eludes us.

Headaches and their less common form, migraines, are one of the most frequent reasons why people consult their doctor. Migraine sufferers two­thirds of whom are women - tend to live with the condition over a long period of time, consult numerous doctors, swallow many different medicines that often cause unpleasant side effects, and anxiously await any new developments in treatment.

Quite clearly migraine is a very particular and multifaceted condition, which is painful occasionally incapacitating, and difficult to treat. Doctors now have a better grasp of the illness and its seriousness, but standard tests rarely show any abnormality and we still do not understand its true cause.

Acupuncture and mesotherapy

It makes sense that these two treatments should have a role to play here because of their soothing action and because of their undeniable effectiveness against pain. They are just as helpful for headaches originating in the neck as for tension headaches or migraines, whether at the onset of the pain or as part of an ongoing course of treatment.

Treatment Schedule: the number and timing of the sessions is a personal choice, depending on the frequency and severity of the attacks. You may opt for weekly, monthly, or even quarterly appointments;

These two methods may be used indivisually or in combination. They are also recommended in cases for which manipulation is unsuitable or if the patient does not want it.

Osteopathy and chiropractic

If you are dealing with headaches that have recently developed, and that do not respond to simple treatments, it can be helpful to consult an osteopath or chiropractor. There might be an osteopathic lesion or something 'out of place in the spine that could be resolved by the appropriate manoeuvre. You should, however. consult a doctor before undergoing any manipulation, just to rule out any contraindications to this treatment.

Treatment Schedule: three sessions, ten days apart, are generally enough to solve the problem.

Manipulation of the spine is the preferred treatment for cervicodorsal (neck and upper back) pain that can bring on headaches It is obviously not the right treatment for migraines, but tension headaches that are brought on, aggravated or prolonged by one's state of nerves can be improved by osteopathy or chiropractic treatment. So once again, an accurate diagnosis is essential, as is the choice of the most appropriate technique.

Homeopathy

Cyclamen is helpful for migraines with visual disturbances, Iris versicolor is best for those that bring on a stomach upset, and Belladonna is good for the common forms of migraine with throbbing pain.
Treatment Regime: four 5c tablets of any of these treatments, to be sucked slowly three or four times a day, between meals.

Cyclamen europaeum

- Vegetable origin: the plant's knob shaped tuber is used for this remedy
- This is the homeopathic treatment for visual disturbance migraines
- A specific indication: the headache comes on at menstruation

Iris versicolor

- Vegetable origin: the whole flag iris plant is used, with its blue, purple, or white flowers
- The homeopathic treatment to use for migraines accompanied by acid, burning vomiting
- The specific indication: everything feels as though it is on fire - the tongue, mouth, stomach, anus...

Belladonna

- Vegetable origin: the fresh leaves and flowers of the deadly nightshade plant
- The homeopathic treatment to use for throbbing pain
- A specific indication: the violent, sudden onset of the symptoms

• You can also use Spigelon@ (Heel), containing Belladonna D3, Spigelia D3, Bryonia D3, Gelsemium D3...
• Available in boxes of 50 and 250 tablets. Also available in drop bottles of 30 and 100ml
• Tablets: In general, one tablet to be dissolved under the tongue three times daily, In acute disorders, one tablet every 15 minutes
• Drops: In general, ten drops three times daily, in acute disorders, ten drops every 15 minutes

Homeopathy is an approach that pays a lot of attention to the symptoms of the individual, to the causes that trigger an attack, to the small details and particular indications normally overlooked by conventional medicine. It is a worthwhile treatment to use if you wish to tailor your management of headaches, and especially migraines, to your own needs, but it does require an in-depth consultation with a professional homeopath to determine the constitutional remedy that will get to the root of the problem.

If you are keen to try self-treatment, however, the following remedies may be helpful:

• Ignatia: for headaches that come on after a setback; the pain feels like a nail embedded in the skull; most common in patients who are anxious by nature and prone to changeable moods .
• Gelsemium: for headaches that come on following a fright; the pain feels like a vice tightened round the head; it occurs mainly in patients who are emotional and given to attacks of nerves.
• Nux vomica: the headache is brought on by eating the wrong foods, or by consuming too much coffee or alcohol; the predominant symptoms are of stomach upset. This sort of headache affects mainly angry and authoritarian personalities.

- Four 7c tablets of one of these treatments, to be sucked slowly, once or twice per day.

Oligotherapy

Magnesium is an almost automatic recommendation in the treatment of headaches. This trace element usually comes from the diet, which should be varied and of high quality. In cases of deficiency, which often occurs with magnesium, it can be given as a medicinal supplement.

Dietary sources of magnesium

Present in almost all foods, but mostly in the calorie-rich ones, unfortunately. The best sources of magnesium are: citrus fruits, bananas, whole-grain cereals (oat or bran flakes), cocoa and chocolate. shellfish (winkles, shrimps, oysters. and clams) and oily fish, figs, hard cheeses, nuts (almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts and walnuts), vegetables (spinach, dried and green beans, maize, split peas, and soya beans), and whole­grain bread.

• Magnesium treatment: this is available in various brands and formats. such as Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  -Available in 946ml bottles
  - Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  - Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):
-Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

• You can also take higher doses of magnesium by using remedies such as Magasorb@ (Lamberts) containing 150mg of magnesium (as citrate):
  - Available in containers of 60 and 180 tablets
  - one to three tablets daily

Possible Prescription: one dose of magnesium twice a day, for several days or weeks.

Herbal remedies

Feverfew, St. John's wort

- Ask your herbalist to make up 20 capsules containing 200mg of dried St. John's wort extract; take one capsule twice a day with a little water

Feverfew

This herb's beneficial properties are comparable to those of aspirin: its leaves bring down fever, help headaches and migraines, reduce rheumatic symptoms. and stimulate menstrual flow.

St. John's wort

Used during the Middle Ages in cases of dementia to ward off 'evil spirits', it is currently one of the few plants known to have antidepressant properties. But it has also long been known for its effectiveness in dealing with pain

• You can treat yourself with 'Nature's Plus' Feverfew; each capsule contains 250mg of feverfew:
  - Sold in containers of 60 capsules
  - One capsule to be taken daily
• Another alternative is Petadolex @ (Thorne). which contains butterbur (another important herb in the treatment of migraine):
  - Available in containers of 50 gelcaps
  - 1 gelcap twice daily with meals

Several other groups of plants can be suggested for alleviating different types of headache.

• Plants that soothe the nervous system, such as angelica, hawthorn, and birdsfoot
• Plants that act on circulatory problems, such as garlic, ginkgo, and melilot
• Plants that act on the gallbladder, such as artichoke, milk thistle and fumitory
• Plants that act on the digestion, for example, mint and fennel

- You can ask your herbalist to make up a 30ml vial of mother tincture of one of these plants. Take 25 drops in a little water, 2-3 times per day;

Sample Herbal Prescription: ask your herbalist make up a 60ml vial of one of the following plants in a whole fresh plant suspension. Take half a teaspoonful in a little water, twice a day.

Ginkgo

This plant increases blood flow to the brain, which brings better concentration and memory, and increased vitality. It also helps in treatment of headaches and migraines.

Mint

This is one of the main ingredients of Tiger Balm, a Chinese product which has very good local effects on headaches.

The whole fresh plant formulation restores the full natural therapeutic effect of the plant. Artichoke, hawthorn, and melilot are available in this form.

Plant essential oils

True Lavender

Herbal Prescription: one or two drops applied locally

Lavender

This herb is grown all over the world, mostly for its delicate perfume. But it is also known for its therapeutic benefits in soothing, aiding digestion, and combating infection. Its essential oil provides very effective pain relief.