Acupuncture as a Complementary Therapy to Help Headaches & Migraines
Posted on 19th September 2024 at 16:02
Acupuncture therapy for headaches and migraines offers a natural, effective, and well-tolerated option for many sufferers.
A Case Study: Acupuncture for Migraine Relief
Lisa, a 42-year-old woman, had been experiencing debilitating migraines for years. She had tried various medications, but the side effects were unpleasant, and she found the relief was temporary. After researching, Lisa decided to see how acupuncture could help her.
Consultation: Lisa’s initial acupuncture consultation focused on capturing her medical history, lifestyle, and migraine patterns. Her migraines typically started with visual disturbances (aura) followed by intense throbbing pain on one side of her head.
Treatment Plan: Lisa received weekly acupuncture treatments over several months, and after 3 to 5 treatments she noticed improvements:
Reduced Frequency: Her migraines occurred less frequently.
Less Intense Pain: When she did experience a migraine, the pain was less severe.
Improved Sleep: Her sleep quality improved, which further helped her to manage the migraines.
Overall Wellbeing: She felt more relaxed and less stressed.
Maintenance Plan: Lisa’s treatments continued monthly, sustaining the benefits she was experiencing. She also made lifestyle changes to help alleviate stress, improved her hydration and began regular exercise.
Lisa’s Perspective: Lisa believes that acupuncture played a significant role in her migraine management and reports that with her migraines now occasional and infrequent, they are less disruptive to her life.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is found to:
Stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, providing relief from headache pain.
Improve blood flow and circulation, reducing vascular issues often associated with migraines.
Reduce muscle tension and relax tense muscles in the neck and shoulders, common contributors to headaches.
Further Reading:
The Migraine Trust: Information about Acupuncture for Tension Headache and Migraine.
Cochrane Review (2016): 22 clinical trials involving approx. 5,000 people found that acupuncture reduces the frequency of migraine attacks and is as effective as prophylactic drug (pain killers) treatment, with far fewer adverse effects.
Read our Acupuncture page.
Struggling with Headaches & Migraines?
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For more information or to book an appointment call or email the Breakspeare Clinic
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