Migraine Headaches
A migraine is one of the worst kinds of headache that one might experience. A migraine is characterized by a throbbing pain, which initiates on one side of the head and may spread to other parts of the head. A migraine attack is usually preceded and accompanied by other symptoms.
What Causes Migraines?
Genetic Factors
Migraine headaches are more common in women and tend to have genetic roots. The frequency of the attack varies from a lifetime to several per week. A first migraine attack usually occurs after puberty before age 40. Studies have shown that abnormalities of serotonin (neurotransmitter) may be responsible for migraines.
A migraine headache can happen at any time; however, its onset is very common during periods of relaxation after a stressful day. In general, the intensity and frequency of migraines tends to subside with age in most people.
Other Factors
Some other trigger factors of migraine headache are menstruation, lack of sleep, fatigue, birth control pills (estrogen) and certain foods. The kinds of food that can generate migraine headaches are alcohol (especially red wine), peanuts, chocolate, aged cheese, caffeine, and fermented foods.
Migraine Symptoms
Prodromal Phase
Whether it is acute or chronic, migraines can interrupt an individual’s daily routine and bring misery to their lives. Some people go through the Prodromal phase, which involves experiencing the following symptoms hours or days before the onset of the headache: sensitivity to light, lack of appetite, fatigue, nausea and depression. At Zahra’s acupuncture clinic, we always advise patients to reach out for help during this phase. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work best during this phase to control the symptoms and prevent the occurrence of the headache.
Migraine Aura
Some individuals experience the Aura phase, which immediately precedes and accompanies a migraine attack. During the Aura phase, symptoms like weakness on one side of the body or tingling on one side of the face could occur. During the Aura phase, the symptoms respond to acupuncture treatment very well.
Headache Phase
During the Headache phase, individuals experience a throbbing headache that starts on one side of the head and then spreads to both sides. This phase lasts from 30 minutes to three days. Numerous individuals who suffer from migraines experience the following symptoms: nausea and/or vomiting blurred vision, diarrhea and difficulty concentrating.
Acupuncture for Migraines
Migraine Treatment
According the traditional Chinese medicine, migraine headaches mainly occur due to imbalances of the energy flow in the liver/gallbladder meridians. In some cases, cold or blood stasis in the bodily meridians can cause migraine headaches as well.
Acupuncture has proved to be very effective in treating migraine headaches. Certain acupuncture points in the body are stimulated based on what is causing the headache after going through the initial assessment. The pulse and tongue diagnosis are the keys to laying out a treatment plan that specifically targets the underlying causes of the headache.
The most common cause of migraine headaches seen at Zahra Acupuncture is stress. At our clinic, we usually combine dry cupping along with acupuncture to help relax the upper back and neck muscles and relieve the headache. This approach has proved to be very effective in relieving the symptoms right away. In addition, the individual’s diet plays an important role in triggering the migraine. Making even little changes in diet has a significant impact in individuals who are susceptible to migraines.
It is never late to try acupuncture – even if you are suffering from chronic migraines and have been consuming conventional medications to control the migraine symptoms.
Our Acupuncture Clinic
If you would like to learn more about acupuncture for migraines, Zahra will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Book a consultation now to learn whether acupuncture treatment is suitable for you.
Our Downtown Vancouver acupuncture clinic is conveniently located and our acupuncture treatments are covered by extended health benefits.
