Headaches - How Acupuncture Helps

If you suffer from headaches, you are not alone. Over 50 million of us experience some form of a severe headache at some point in our lives. Whether you experience minor head pain or severe migraines, headaches can take valuable time out of your day and your life, and leave you searching for relief.

Many seek relief by reaching for drugs and other medications. This may work temporarily and can help you get out of pain fast. Unfortunately, common headache medications do not address the root cause(s), and when used over long periods of time can cause unwanted side effects.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a safe and effective approach to relieving headache pain without causing harmful side effects. These healing modalities provide a comprehensive diagnostic protocol that can help your acupuncturist understand and address the root cause(s) of your headaches.

Causes of Headaches: There are many factors in TCM theory that may play a key role in the root cause(s) of a headache. These include body constitution, emotional health, excessive work, social activities and exercise, improper diet, physical trauma and hormones. Headaches can also be diagnosed according to specific symptoms, times of occurrence, location, type of pain, and triggers.

A natural path to relief: Acupuncture and TCM take a holistic, or whole-body approach to health. Your practitioner will take a detailed health history, and perform a physical exam to determine how and why your body’s vital energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), is out of balance and identify what type of headache you are experiencing. To determine the most effective care, he/she will focus on illuminating the root cause(s) of the problem. 

---

Slow and Steady Wins the Headache Race

It is important to remember that acupuncture is not a quick fix. Changes may occur quickly or over a longer period of time, depending upon your overall constitution and health.  An average course of treatment in China is 10 treatments in 10 days and then we reassess. In the US we find this largely unnecessary and virtually impossible - I see most patients once a week for 6 treatments to begin and then we reassess.


Your course of treatment, however, will always be unique. Whether it is one visit to address an acute problem, or several visits to address a chronic problem, it is suggested to closely follow care recommendations of based on your individual diagnosis to maximize your healing potential.

Simple Ways to Alleviate Headache

Below are a few ways that you can make simple lifestyle changes that may help alleviate or even prevent headaches:

• Track your triggers - Try to keep track of when your headaches start. Migraine sufferers may find it especially helpful to keep a diary of symptoms. Certain types of foods and hormonal changes can be possible causes.
  
• Stress relief - Stress can contribute to many types of health concerns, including headaches. Talk to your practitioner about healthy ways to handle stress.
  
• Exercise - Physical activity is an important part of any healthy lifestyle and is a great antidote for stress.
  
• Healthy habits - Do your best to eat healthy, organic foods, stay hydrated and get enough sleep every night.

• Acupuncture care - is extremely effective in reducing the frequency and severity of many types of painful conditions, including headaches and migraines, naturally. By working with your acupuncturist and adopting some simple lifestyle changes, you will be on your way toward a healthier, happier, pain-free life.
  

Want to Know More? Contact me!

If you want to know more or have questions about Acupuncture for Headache relief, feel free to contact me or book an appointment or free consultation. You can also leave questions in the comments section below and I'll be happy to answer you to the best of my ability!

Until next time, Yours In Health,
~Rebecca