Headache & Migraine Treatment
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, headaches fall into two main categories: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are a medical condition and not a symptom of another medical disorder. Cluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches come under the primary category. Secondary headaches occur due to medical conditions such as brain tumors, head injury, dental disorders, allergies, and sinus disease. Acupuncture is quite effective in treating migraine and tension headaches, which are quite common.
Why is Acupuncture effective in treating headaches?
The framework Traditional Chinese Medicine uses for headache pathophysiology, diagnosis, etiology, and treatment is effective and philosophical. For thousands of years, people have been using acupuncture to treat headaches. One of the greatest advantages of opting for acupuncture over Western medicine is the fact that it is harmless. When you compare synthetic drugs to acupuncture, the latter doesn’t have any side effects. Also, the procedure in acupuncture for treating headaches is minimally invasive.
Using Acupuncture to treat migraines
To treat migraines, the specialist will insert fine needles into certain points on your body. To stimulate the needles, the specialist will either do it electrically or manually. As a result of this, the small blood vessels around the needle dilate and blood flow inside the tissues increases. While this is the general procedure to treat pain, it won’t be useful in treating migraines. The pain that comes with migraines occurs because the blood vessels in the head dilate. Trying to increase blood circulation in the head can worsen the situation. In Acupuncture of Colombus, we use a different approach to treat migraines. We avoid points in the upper body, neck, and head. Instead, only the points in the lower body will be used to stop dilation of blood vessels in the head. To make it easy, the patient has to lie down during the course of the treatment. When a patient lies down, the dilation of blood vessels minimizes significantly.
Using Acupuncture to prevent migraines
One of the major triggers for migraines is emotional stress. The autonomic nervous system of people living in the city will be imbalanced. As a result of this, the nervous system will be unable to relax as it is constantly under stress. If the system continues to be in this state, it will lead to premenstrual syndrome, hypertension, insomnia, and heart disease.
In Acupuncture of Columbus, the acupuncture technique is effective in keeping migraines at bay as it keeps the system in a relaxed state and it decreases muscle tension. For this technique to work, acupuncture points on the lower legs and forearms are chosen.
People suffer from migraines because of the muscle tension in the upper back and neck increases. As acupuncture reduces muscle tension, it is effective in preventing migraines.
Also, to reduce the occurrence of migraines, Acupuncture of Columbus, asks you to follow these recommendations:
- Avoid alcohol (red wine in particular), caffeine, dairy, corn, wheat, spices and chocolates as they trigger migraines
- Avoid mental and physical fatigue
- Sleep for at least seven to eight hours every day
Why don’t you come to Acupuncture of Columbus for treating your headaches? We have over 11 years of experience in this field!
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.