Using Acupuncture to Prevent and Cure Migraines
With roughly 12% of the United States suffering from regular migraines, the severe pain, nausea and other negative effects can be devastating. While there are some pharmaceutical medications available to assist in dealing with migraines, they often come with a wide range of side effects that can make the patient even worse.
This has led to many Americans turning to acupuncture to relieve migraine symptoms. The all-natural therapy has proven to be a useful tool over the course of studies conducted in those suffering from migraines. A 2016 study shows that a course of six acupuncture treatments were effective in relieving some or all of the negative impacts of migraines on patients.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the ancient technique consisting of inserting tiny needles into specific pressure points throughout the body. Dating back over 3000 years to traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncture has been used in modern western medicine for several decades to assist with a wide range of ailments.
The healing principles are that we have a flow of energy inside our bodies called the “qi”, which can become congested by various ailments. By adding acupuncture needles in specific parts of the body to create reactions from related organs, acupuncture releases hormones in our body and can remove blockages, such as those causing migraines.
Acupuncture as a Migraine Treatment
While acupuncture has long been considered an ‘alternative’ medicine in the United States, there have been many cases of medical boards giving much more credit to its ability to prevent common health issues.
One major benefit that acupuncture offers migraine sufferers is that it can be used as a proactive solution, rather than reactive. The insertion of needles into key pressure points by acupuncture professionals has produced evidence that it can lead to a reduction or even elimination of migraines.
The 2016 study concluded that acupuncture can be considered a valid, usable preventative measure for migraine sufferers based on the results that it offered. They compared ‘real’ acupuncture with a placebo control (sticking needles into non-pressure points) and verified that patients that received the true acupuncture sessions saw a significant reduction in migraine occurrences.
In addition to being used as a preventative measure, acupuncture has also shown the ability to stop migraine attacks in patients. These small studies have included an acupuncture professional administering the treatment during a migraine attack, resulting in the patient seeing the effects diminish or even having the migraine stop altogether.
The ability to lessen or completely stop migraines through acupuncture treatment is being further explored by researchers, but at the moment there is a wide range of evidence to suggest that acupuncture has the ability to help migraine sufferers.
Treating Migraines Naturally with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
In order to effectively help those feeling the negative effects of migraines, it is recommended that they undergo a treatment ranging from six to ten acupuncture sessions. Each session can take between 30 minutes and one hour, giving the acupuncture professional enough time to expertly place the needles on the pressure points to have an impact.
The treatment includes the acupuncture specialist places the needles in specific areas that can include the arms, legs, back and even head, helping to release the hormones that can prevent the blockages which can contribute to migraines.
Risks of Acupuncture Treatments for Migraines
As with all acupuncture treatments, there are virtually no risks to the patient. As the treatments are completely natural and organic, the only potential downside could be some soreness or bruising at the points of needle insertion.
However, working with a professional acupuncture specialist will alleviate these risks, as they will be in tune with your experience during the treatments to ensure that you are comfortable and can get the maximum benefit without excessive pain.
If you are ready to discover the incredible benefits that acupuncture can have in preventing or reducing your migraines, then we encourage you to contact us at Rocky Mountain Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine today!
Schedule your acupuncture appointment today!
