If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine headache, you know how debilitating the symptoms can be. From throbbing pain to extreme sensitivity to light and sound, the effects of a migraine can severely impact your daily life. While there are some pharmaceutical treatment options that may provide some form of relief, frequent use may lead to rebound headaches and other unwanted side effects. For a more natural and long-lasting approach to migraine relief, consider acupuncture. The causes of migraines are many. A knowledgeable acupuncturist can work with you to address the root of the problem and encourage your body to heal itself. Now that elective medical appointments are once again available in Oregon, this is a great time to seek the healing treatments you need in order to achieve migraine relief.
Signs You’re Suffering From a Migraine
While most people have experienced the symptoms of a headache, those who have suffered from a migraine understand the uniqueness and severity of migraine symptoms. Common ailments include an intense throbbing or pulsing sensation, typically on just one side of the head. Nausea, vomiting, or increased sensitivity to light or sound can also be symptoms of a migraine. Some people also report experiencing a warning symptom that includes visual disturbances, such as seeing bright spots or flashes of light, before the migraine begins. The migraine itself may last anywhere between 4 to 72 hours in total.
Causes and Treatments
The causes of migraine headaches are still not fully understood, but some common triggers have been identified. Hormonal changes, emotional stress, muscular tension, poor sleep, consuming alcohol, caffeine or certain foods, taking certain medications, and environmental triggers, such as flickering screens or loud noises, may provoke a migraine attack.
Treatments for migraine will depend on understanding and managing your migraine triggers. While there are prescription drugs that may prevent migraines, taking them too often can lead to rebound headaches and other unwanted side-effects. Over-the-counter painkillers can be used in some cases, but long-term use also has side-effects.
Long-term management and prevention of migraines without drugs depends on self-care and lifestyle changes. For more natural treatment options, people may be advised to exercise, eat a nutrient-dense diet of whole foods, and focus on getting enough sleep. Acupuncture, combined with lifestyle changes, can provide the additional support you need to achieve migraine relief.
Finding Migraine Relief Through Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatments for migraines are showing promise, although more comprehensive clinical studies are needed. According to a 2016 review of 22 clinical trials, acupuncture treatments reduced the frequency of migraine headaches by 50 percent or more in nearly 60 percent of subjects who received acupuncture. Additionally, the relief lasted for more than six months for many people, indicating that acupuncture treatments for migraines can provide long-lasting relief. Although the exact process through which acupuncture addresses migraines is not fully understood, it’s widely believed that acupuncture sessions help to activate brain pathways that essentially “turn off” pain. For most individuals, it’s recommended that they receive at least six acupuncture sessions at a minimum of once per week in order to achieve relief..
Schedule Your Five Element Acupuncture Treatment Today
If you are looking for a core-level approach to healing that promotes balance between your physical and emotional health, consider Five Element acupuncture treatments. As tension and stress are running high during these uncertain times, it may be harder to manage your migraines on your own. When you arrive for your first appointment, you’ll work with your acupuncturist to evaluate your health history, your migraine symptoms, and your long-term health goals. Based on this information, your acupuncturist will customize a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs, and recommend lifestyle and nutritional changes that can help you identify and avoid your migraine triggers.
