How Acupuncture Works for Headache and Migraine Relief

Headaches are no fun.  Migraines are even worse!

Fortunately, acupuncture offers some relief.  Within about 5 minutes of needle insertion, most people start to feel better.  The needles change how certain nerves are firing, allowing the blood flow to return to a healthier pattern.

TCM looks at headaches differently than Western Medicine. First, we check where – what part of your head – they are. Next, we use palpation (gently pushing around) to assess the pattern.

Some of the areas and things I check for headaches include:

• pressure on the eyebrows (could be sinus pressure or a pituitary imbalance)
• pressure on the temples (what we call a “Gall Bladder Headache” related to Qi stagnation)
• tenderness or a feeling of loose skin on the top of the head (to diagnose Blood Stagnation)
• pressure around the sinuses
• soreness or tightness at the base of the skull (Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis, or cervical compression)
• soreness behind the angle of your jaw (parietal bone problem related to chronic fatigue and stress)
• jaw tension or pain

And those are just the tip of the iceberg! Someone could have a combination of any of those patterns.

We look into the whole picture of your health: other conditions going on, medical and family history, and what makes the headaches better or worse. The way we treat the body is: when you’re in balance, you won’t have headaches. It’s just a matter of figuring out what’s causing the imbalance.

STRESS HEADACHES

If the cause of your headaches is mainly stress, acupuncture is the best bet for relief.  Acupuncture eases tension in your body by temporarily relaxing your sympathetic nervous system, your “fight or flight system.” 

Other ideas for relieving stress include

• Take a break from TV or computer use
• Meditation 
• Submersing in water (a warm bath with 1 full cup of Epsom salts or 10 drops of lavender essential oils, or swimming in a natural body of water are ideal)
• Going barefoot outside (especially on the grass, rocks, or sand)
• Anointing your temples with peppermint essential oil mixed in with a carrier oil (sesame, almond, or olive oild are fine)
• Laying down to rest 
• Deep breathing
• Be OK with saying “No” to things that overwhelm (or under-whelm) you
• Bending or yielding instead of pushing and resisting 
• Let go of outdated ideas and people who no longer fit the life you want for yourself
• 15 minutes of exercise (even just walking around the block or stretching counts) every day
• Instead of reaching for more caffeine, take a nap instead

Side effects may include better sleep, more energy during the work day, and improved moods.  

TENSION HEADACHES

Some headaches are due to poor posture or imbalanced muscles (especially in the neck, upper back, or jaw).  

In addition to the acupuncture points that relieve the headaches, we also chose points that ease tension in the neck, jaw, and back.  We’ll also make recommendations for better posture and exercises that can re-balance your muscles.  

MIGRAINES

We target the root cause(s) of your migraines with acupuncture.  Certain points connect via your nervous system to the areas where you’re experiencing pain – even if it’s your whole head.  Not only is the pain relief instantaneous, but over time, most of our patients notice less intensity and less frequency of the migraines.  

Migraines are a type of “Liver Yang Rising” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  Your Liver regulates the flow of Qi (energy) in your body.  Things that lead to Liver Yang Rising include:

• Nutritional deficiencies, including but not limited to, anemia
• Recent or intense blood loss
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Extreme fatigue
• Stress, anger, and unchecked emotions
• Toxicity

Things you can do to root your Liver Qi include:

• Acupuncture
• Eat nourishing foods like root vegetables (sweet potatoes, onion, carrot, beets, etc.) and protein
• Include healthy fats and oils in your daily diet
• Detox: with a nutritional cleanse
• Do what you need to do to keep your stress in check
• See an herbalist for specific recommendations

CLUSTER HEADACHES

We treat cluster headaches with other acupuncture points.  This is one of the easiest types of headaches to treat. Cluster headaches could be from injuries, stress, or unknown factors.

When we can pinpoint where the pain is coming from, we can find acupuncture points that relieve the pain area.

ALLERGY HEADACHES

If your headaches are due to allergies, acupuncture offers relief from the sinus pressure, itchy eyes, congestion, and drainage.  Also, there are some herbal remedies and nutritional remedies that support healthy sinuses.  

BRAIN INJURY

After a concussion, people who get acupuncture heal around 2 or 3 times faster.  Acupuncture speeds along the healing process of injuries.  It works by improving the circulation patterns. 

A typical response is that people feel about 40% improved after 3 or 4 treatments.  Some people respond faster, and other slower.  It depends on the extent of damage and also your overall health.  Either way, acupuncture helps!   

Migraines a Thing of the Past

I’ve been seeing Dr. Nicole for over a year and she and her practice have done miracles for my health and wellbeing! Migraines and pain all gone! She has a completely new approach to wellness and healthcare, and it comes with real results. If you’re looking for a safe, holistic approach, look no further than Natural Health Center.

~ Madelyn

Bye-bye Meds!

“I started with some very horrible neck pain and headaches. After taking herbs, vitamins, and cupping sessions, I feel like a different person. I enjoy knowing that one day I may be Rx free. I was on Lexapro for approximately 8 years and I have not been on it for a month and feel 100% better than when I was on it. NHC has changed my life!”  

~ Alicia