There is nothing worse than trying to work with a headache! Thankfully, Acupuncture can be a safe, natural and effective tool to treat and eliminate that annoying throb in your head.
The reality is that conventional medication is just not that effective in dealing with headaches and in most cases merely mask the symptoms. The most common treatment for chronic headaches is over-the-counter non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The problem with medication is the unwanted and dangerous side effects including stomach ulcers, constipation and nausea. And even then, the relief provided by these medications is only temporary. Once you stop taking them, the headache returns!
Thankfully, Acupuncture can offer powerful relief without the side effects that prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause. Studies have shown that acupuncture can not only decrease the intensity and frequency of headaches but also decrease and limit the amount of medication you are taking.
How does it work? There is actually no conclusive evidence of the exact mechanism in which acupuncture can relieve headaches and it is important to look at the type of headache you are treating before trying to answer that question. I recommend and have seen great success with acupuncture for 3 most common headaches and here is why:
1) Tension Type Headaches: These headaches are usually characterized by pain on both sides as if something is being wrapped around your head and squeezed tightly. I have seen acupuncture be effective in these cases by targeting points in the head to increase blood flow as well as targeting the cervical spine muscles to decrease tension and tightness while improving mobility.
2) Cervicogenic Headaches: These are headaches caused by neck pain. As mentioned above, acupuncture is a great tool to target stubborn muscular trigger points in the neck and improve blood flow to the joints of the spine. By identifying and treating these problems in the neck we can eliminate the headaches!
3) Migraines: The latest research is pointing to great results when using acupuncture for Migraines. Migraines are thought to be caused or triggered by many things, including sensitivity to certain environmental factors and foods. Many researchers believe the root cause is a chemical or hormonal imbalance that makes certain people more susceptible. Other theories point towards issues with blood flow in and around the head as well as an over active nervous system. These are all things acupuncture can help well! Acupuncture has had great success in bringing the body “back to balance”. I often equate it to pushing CTRL-ALT-DEL on our bodies internal computer and resetting the system.
I have seen success vary from patient to patient in my practice and it is important to know which patients will respond well. As with any condition we treat at OMNI Health and Rehab, Acupuncture treatments for headaches always includes a through diagnosis of your condition. This is what allows us to develop a customized and unique treatment plan to address your specific complaint and let you know what type of results to expect.
Depending on the location of your headache, distal acupuncture points on your hands and feet can be used to relieve your headache pain. Additional acupuncture points will be included in the treatment to balance your body and prevent future headaches. All methods of acupuncture, such as auricular and scalp acupuncture may be included in the treatment to help manage and eliminate your headache. In some cases, Acupuncture can instantly relieve the pain caused by a headache. In chronic conditions, it is best to receive acupuncture treatments between acute episodes of headaches, especially for migraines headaches.
To learn more book your complimentary consultation for acupuncture in Milton or Burlington today!
