Feeling like you can’t function well because of tension headache? Discover how acupuncture for migraine and headache can be used as a natural remedy for prevention, relief and avoid conventional anti migraine drugs.
WHAT IS MIGRAINE
Migraine is a neurological disorder that can be defined as a very severe headache. Migraine may cause throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, especially on one side of the head. Other symptoms of migraine attacks are nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine is considered a leading cause of disability and significantly contributes to individual and societal burdens owing to pain and environmental sensitivities. Around 1 in 4 people suffering from migraine needs preventive therapy, which is usually a pharmacotherapy. The medicines that are usually prescribed for migraine have often lots of side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and gastrointestinal intolerance. People who excessively use these drugs often cause an increase in headache frequency.
When traditional medicine hasn’t helped ease migraine pain, many migraine patients are eager to explore alternative method of treatments, such as acupuncture. The goals of acupuncture are usually both the relief of pain during migraine (acute effect) and the prevention of future migraine attacks (long-term effect).
Acupuncture for migraine and headache does not have any side effects, so more and more people are trying this therapy to support their wellbeing and find an alternative to these anti migraine drugs.
Further, you can also rest assured there will not be any adverse drug interactions with your current medications. This is thanks to the research conducted on the efficacy of acupuncture for migraine in the last years. A recent study involving 4985 people found that acupuncture treatments helped to drop the frequency of headache by 50% and this effect can persist for more than 6 months. This result was similar to what we observe with preventive medications, with the difference that with acupuncture for migraine we don't have unwanted side effects.
Another study found that Acupuncture would help to relieve the chronic headaches, migraine in particular. Researchers analysed 15 studies involving over 2,000 patients and found that seven out of 10 had less frequent and less intense headaches.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE FOR MIGRAINE AND HEADACHE WORK?
The treatment of Acupuncture for Migraine has ancient roots in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which believes that the body can be divided into a series of zones and pressure points. According to TCM, Migraine and headaches are a manifestation of stagnant energy, called chi, which get stuck along the body’s energy pathways. Acupuncture aims to restore the smooth flow of energy, releasing blockages in order for the pain to subside.
Acupuncturists insert needles into different pressure points, depending on the symptoms that the individual presents. The acupuncture points are usually near nerves in your body.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes and some research also has shown with infrared therapy and other resources that the inserted needle can stimulate the nerves to release hormones, such as endorphins, that trigger a response from your body which is usually to feel relaxed, euphoric and happy. The release of these “natural pain killers” creates an immune and circulation system stimulation that help relieving migraines and tension headaches, while naturally reducing inflammation and pain as well, which can both increase with chronic stress.
Acupuncture for migraine can provide relaxation time that is so needed. Since you will lay down for at least 30 minutes with your eyes closed, listening to soft music, chances are that you may fall asleep, feel calmer and more relaxed. It is priceless to take time for self-care and be in charge of our own healing. Scheduling and attending an acupuncture session means adjusting your focus back on yourself, which is very different from popping a pill and soldiering on. One of the most important part when trying to reduce stress that cause migraine and headache is changing our mindsets and habits.
Acupuncture for migraine and headache can help you not only to change your internal stress-induced chemistry but also maintaining a consistent treatment schedule helps you make time for yourself and re prioritize your stressful habits.
WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM EFFICACY OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR MIGRAINE?
A recent study found that acupuncture for migraine helped patients with migraine without aura to significantly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in a 24-week clinical trial, compared with those who received sham acupuncture and being placed on a waiting list for treatment.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR ACUPUNCTURE FOR MIGRAINE AND HEADACHE IN LONDON
Your session will start with an in depth consultation so that we can decide what are the best points to needle, depending on the symptoms you present on the day of your treatment and your goals. The best acupuncture points for migraine and headache are usually along a person’s back or neck where they can slow pain transmission. This activates pathways in the brain that are responsible for turning pain off.
We often do a gentle head massage when someone receive acupuncture specifically for migraine and headache. accompanies the placement of the needles.
We advise to book at least an hour for first time clients and we will probably suggest a course of treatments if you have recurrent migraine episodes or cluster headaches. That’s why we offer up to 20% discount on treatment packages. Expect gradual changes, more subtle but surely with effects lasting more long-term than anti migraine drugs.
We may also suggest some lifestyle and dietary changes and explain you what you could do in order to get the best out of your treatment. For example, did you know that Caffeine can exacerbate migraine?
ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC LONDON FOR MIGRAINE AND TENSION HEADACHE RELIEF
Book today your first appointment, and make migraine and headache a distant memory as you embrace a new life of tranquility and balance.
Please share your experience if you had acupuncture for migraine with us and whether you believe acupuncture can help getting relief and prevent migraine symptoms.