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Migraine and Headache Sufferers
--Acupuncture Can Help
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The pain that headache and migraine sufferers endure
can impact every aspect of their lives. Acupuncture
can offer powerful relief without the side effects
that prescription and over-the-counter drugs can
cause. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have
been used to relieve Headaches and Migraines, as
well as their underlying causes, for thousands of
years and is a widely accepted form of treatment
for headaches in our society. There are acupuncturists
that specialize in the treatment of headaches and
migraines and can help you manage your pain with
acupuncture and Chinese herbs alone, or as part
of a comprehensive treatment program. |
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Diagnosis with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recognize
migraines and recurring headaches as one particular
syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific
symptoms that are unique to each individual using
a variety of of techniques such as acupuncture,
Chinese herbs, tui-na massage, and energetic exercises
to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore,
your diagnosis and treatment will depend on a number
of variables: Is the headache behind your eyes and
temples, or is it located more on the top of your
head? When do your headaches occur (i.e. night,
morning, after eating)? Do you find that a cold
compress or a dark room can alleviate some of the
pain? Do you describe the pain as dull and throbbing,
or sharp and piercing?
How Acupuncture
Works
These questions will help create a clear picture
on which your practitioners can create a treatment
plan specifically for you. The basic foundation
for Oriental medicine is that there is a life energy
flowing through the body which is termed Qi (pronounced
chee). This energy flows through the body on channels
known as meridians that connect all of our major
organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness
arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians
becomes unbalanced Acupuncture is the stimulation
of specific points located near or on the surface
of the skin which have the ability to alter various
biochemical and physiological conditions in order
to achieve the desired effect.
The
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture points to treat headaches are located
all over the body. During the acupuncture treatment,
tiny needles will be placed along your legs, arms,
shoulders, and perhaps even your big toe!
There seems to be little sensitivity to the insertion
of acupuncture needles. They are so thin that several
acupuncture needles can go into the middle of a
hypodermic needle. Occasionally, there is a brief
moment of discomfort as the needle penetrates the
skin, but once the needles are in place, most people
relax and even fall asleep for the duration of the
treatment.
The length, number and frequency of treatments will
vary. Typical treatments last from 50 to 60 minutes,
with the patient being treated one or two times
a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first
treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments
often require multiple treatments. Look for an acupuncturist
with formal training and experience in the treatment
of menopause. About
Lisa Ma |
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