Migraine and Tension Type headaches make up around 90% of all headaches reported and can often exist together.
Migraines have characteristics such as throbbing pain, photophobia, nausea and can often result in fatigue once the headache goes away.
Tension- type headaches are described as a ‘band’ tightening around the head’ often made worse with stress, muscle spasm or strain.
Any headache that comes on suddenly and explosively (thunder-clap), worse with postural changes, with accompanying fever, visual or speech issues etc are red flags for serious medical investigation.
What if there was a magic wand to wave that all away?
Many of my patients experience tension-type headaches and a smaller proportion have been diagnosed with chronic migraines. Acupuncture has been shown to help alleviate the signs and symptoms of headaches and migraines. Acupuncture is no ‘magic wand’ but it can have magical results!
Studies show a reduction in intensity and frequency of headaches after following a course of regular acupuncture treatments. Most sufferers will agree that in the absence of a ‘cure’ or ‘miracle’, a reduction in frequency and intensity is absolutely life-changing. Acupuncture reduces the inflammatory nature of some causes of headaches as well as providing pain relief. In the case of tension-type headaches due to muscle spasm, acupuncture relieves muscle tension, reduces anxiety and mitigates the stress response. In all cases, acupuncture activates the ‘rest and digest’ part of the autonomic nervous system which induces relaxtion and restfulness.
One of the best things you can do is start taking notes about your headaches in terms of when you get them. Is a certain activity/food/alcohol a trigger? Are they weather-related or coincide with certain times of your menstrual cycle? What makes them better/worse? All these things help build a picture of what’s going on and how small lifestyle changes can make your headaches better.
At Cranford Acupuncture we have a great track record in reducing the number of headaches experienced and how severe they are. Many patients are able to reduce their reliance on pain pharmaceuticals under their pain doctor’s supervision. Most patients regain a sense of control of their lives and renewed wellbeing since they are less anxious, less stressed and experience less pain than before.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing headaches or migraines, please let them know that acupuncture could help.
Comments