Migraines can be incredibly painful and can severely impact one’s quality of life. Seeking treatment is always a challenge as most prescription medications that tend to ease the pain often come with their own set of side effects. 

Many migraine sufferers are turning to alternative medicine for relief — and they are finding it with acupuncture. 

How does it work and how regularly should you get acupuncture for migraines? Let’s talk about it. 

What Causes Migraines? 

Migraines have been hard to define for researchers. After years and years of studies, there still isn’t a clear answer to what causes them. 

For some, migraines just happen sporadically. For most, however, there are triggers involved. A few common triggers include: 

• Stress
• Lack of sleep or feeling unrested
• Too much caffeine
• Alcohol
• Certain foods, especially chocolate or salty foods
• Seasonal or weather changes

What are the Symptoms of a Migraine? 

There are many different symptoms of migraines that one can experience and they tend to vary from one person to the next. The more migraines you have, the more you will be able to tell when one is coming on based on the symptoms you usually experience. 

The headaches associated with migraines are much more intense than normal headaches. They can impact the front of the head, one side, the back, and even move from side to side. Some even say that it feels like the entire head is throbbing or pounding. 

Other migraine symptoms include: 

• Loss of appetite
• Upset stomach, including nausea and vomiting
• Excessive tiredness
• Pale skin
• Sensitivity to sounds, lights, and even smells
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

From the time of onset, migraines tend to last at least a couple of hours but have been known to last days. 

How Acupuncture Helps Migraines

Acupuncture can treat migraines by stimulating the nerves and pressure points in certain areas of the body. Very thin needles are inserted into these specific points and allow the energy within the body to begin flowing freely again – giving the body a chance to find balance. 

With regular acupuncture treatments, you will find it helps migraines by: 

• Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
• Getting the blood flowing again
• Easing the tightness in the neck and shoulders 
• Encourage the release of endorphins 

Over time, acupuncture begins to reduce the inflammation in the body and promote a healthier immune system. This can also help to keep migraine pain at bay. 

How Regularly Should You Get Acupuncture for Migraines

Generally, you should plan on having acupuncture sessions twice a week for about one to two months. Though this could be more or less as you get going. 

Acupuncture is different from traditional treatments found in Western medicine. It isn’t something you pick up at a pharmacy with specific instructions. Rather, your acupuncturist will discuss your migraines with you, as well as your medical history, and the details of your current lifestyle and habits. From there, a plan will be developed for your sessions.

How often you need to come and for how long will depend on the severity of your migraines and your body’s response to the treatment. And your treatment plan can change at any time based on your personal needs. 

Ready to Get Relief from Your Migraines? 

At Thumos Health Center we offer relief from migraines using acupuncture, whether alone or in tandem with traditional medical treatments. To learn more or to get started, contact us today at (323) 372-5150.