Acupuncture For Migraines: Here’s What You Should Know

A migraine is a neurological disorder. It causes a throbbing, pulsating headache and is usually accompanied by nausea and increased sensitivity to light. Migraine affects around 40 million Americans. It can negatively impact a person’s productivity and ability to focus and concentrate. Studies show that migraine is a common cause of missed workdays.

Certain foods such as chocolate and cheese, dehydration, and change in sleep patterns can trigger a migraine attack. Though migraine headaches are rarely life-threatening and usually do not cause long-term brain damage, they can interfere with your daily activities and affect your quality of life.

A migraine headache usually feels like a dull ache initially and grows into throbbing pain with time. The pain usually gets worse during physical activity. It can move from one side of the head to another. Many people with migraines feel pain in the front of their head, and others may feel it’s affecting their entire head.

What Causes Migraines?

The exact cause of migraine is unknown. Many health experts believe that changes in the brain that lead to abnormal brain activity affecting nerve signals, chemical balance, and blood vessels can increase one’s risk of migraine. Chronic migraine tends to run in families, and women are 3X more likely to suffer from migraine than men.

Some Common Migraine Symptoms  

There are four stages of migraine attacks: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. Here are some common symptoms that people with migraine experience during these stages:

• Prodrome: Constipation, increased urination, neck stiffness, food cravings, and mood swings. These symptoms could signal an impending attack.
• Aura: An aura might occur before or during an attack. Aura symptoms include temporary vision loss, difficulty speaking, arm or leg pain, and facial weakness or numbness. Each symptom can last up to 60 minutes.
• Attack: The severity and frequency of attacks can vary from person to person. They might occur occasionally or several times a month. During an attack, you may experience throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head. A migraine attack can cause heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting can occur during migraine attacks.
• Post-drome: After an attack, it is common to feel drained, confused, and washed away.

How Can Acupuncture for Migraines Help?

Studies show that acupuncture for migraines in Santa Rosa can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks by stimulating the body to produce feel-good or happy hormones such as serotonin and endorphins. These hormones promote positive feelings and can help fight stress, a common migraine trigger.

Acupuncture stimulates neural pathways and releases migraine trigger points or knots to reduce pain. Studies show a link between inflammation in the brain and migraine attacks. Acupuncture can relieve tension and pressure in the neck, allowing nerves and muscles to relax.

Are you struggling with chronic pain or migraines? Acupuncture Mama can help. We use tried and tested TCM techniques to help treat various pain conditions and symptoms like migraines. To learn more, contact our team of experts by calling (707)303-7200.