Acupuncture & Migraines: Proven Remedy & Speedy Recovery

October 23, 2024

Headache

Acupuncture & migraines: Proven Remedy & Speedy Recovery

Michel, a 40-year-old female, visited my acupuncture clinic with a pressure headache and migraine every day that has persisted for 28 years without improvement. Her story was like this.

Since she got her first period at 12, she’s been dealing with daily headaches in her temporal and frontal lobes. On her worst days, these headaches turn into migraines without aura. They can be triggered by light, weather changes, or even tiny things. The pain is really severe and sometimes makes her feel sick and unable to function. She tried pain medication, but it didn’t help. Her doctor suggested acupuncture, so she came to my clinic.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our migraine Specialist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

Call or text us to get Free Consultation at 972-777-0836

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a complex neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. While headaches are a common symptom, migraine involves more than just head pain. Other possible symptoms include nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, tingling or strange sensations in the skin, visual changes, hunger pangs, and slurred speech.

Migraine headaches are typically experienced on one side of the head, although this is not the case for everyone. Some people may feel pain on both sides of the face or head, on the top of their heads, or in the back of the head or neck.

30 million people in the United States experience migraines. Almost half of them have never received a migraine diagnosis, and another 25% have been misdiagnosed with other conditions.

Who has more risk of Migraines?

According to a recent study from UCLA, women’s brains may be more susceptible to excitation, which can make them more reactive to stimuli compared to men. This heightened reactivity is believed to potentially lead to the chemical chain reaction responsible for causing migraines, with women being three times more susceptible than men. While some of this susceptibility may be linked to women’s menstrual cycles, the study emphasizes the overall heightened reactivity of women’s brains.

One in 20 elementary school children experience migraines, including “abdominal migraines” without headaches, while 15% of high school students are affected.

Migraines often run in families, with studies showing that 70 to 80% of people who experience migraines have a family history of the condition. This is likely due to differences in brain chemistry that can be inherited from one or both parents. It’s possible that someone in your family experiences migraines without realizing it, as many cases go undiagnosed or untreated.

How to diagnose Migraines?

Migraine cannot be detected on an MRI or other diagnostic test. It is a complex illness with varying symptoms and frequency. Some people experience visual or sensory disturbances, while others do not. Additionally, migraine frequency can range from every two months to daily. Head pain can occur on both sides of the head, which may confuse medical professionals who expect it to be one-sided. Furthermore, triggers for migraines can differ from person to person, such as stress or hormonal changes.

Migraine Treatment

Migraine medications can help with head pain and nausea, but some people still experience pain if they don’t take them. Certain complementary treatments have been very effective for many patients. There is scientific research supporting their safety and usefulness in treating migraines. These treatments include biofeedback, yoga, meditation, massage (including ice massage), nutritional supplements, energy healing, and acupuncture.

For many patients, the integrative approach works better than a traditional Western medical approach alone.

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Is Acupuncture Effective for Migraines?

During Michel’s initial acupuncture session, we examined her head and neck muscle tightness. She had tenderness when touching her neck and head, which is tender to touch, especially around the C1 and C2 areas, which pinch to her vertebral arteries. We agreed on a treatment course for acupuncture twice a week for a month.

The treatments focused on reducing the inflammation and relaxing her neck and head muscles. Many studies have shown that acupuncture is incredibly practical in reducing pain and inflammation due to its ability to stimulate the body to release its natural painkillers.

After her first acupuncture treatment, Michel began to show improvement. Her headaches became less painful, and by the end of the third week, her migraines occurred less frequently and didn’t last as long. As a result, she no longer needed to take migraine medication.

Within two months, Michel no longer experienced any headaches or migraines. She had nearly 90% recovered from the headaches and migraines, and her treatment became as needed.

When Should I start Acupuncture?

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner one receives treatment, the better the prognosis. Some patients come for migraine treatment months or even years after the initial onset, and these chronic cases are often more complex and take a much longer time to achieve results. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed.

How Often Should I Schedule Acupuncture Sessions?

The frequency of acupuncture treatments is determined by how often you experience headaches and migraines. If you have daily headaches, you may be advised to have 2-3 treatments per week initially for the best results. As your headaches and migraines improve, the frequency of treatments will decrease to once a week or once every two weeks.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with headaches and migraines and want to learn more about acupuncture and whether it’s appropriate for your case, send us a message through our contact page. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post! I appreciate your interest and hope to see you again for future posts.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our Migraine Specialist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.