Acupuncture for Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches stop some people in their tracks.   They come with pain, congestion, and pressure in your head around your eyes, forehead, and cheeks.  Sometimes, people with sinus headaches know when it is going to rain, because they feel so painful.  If the headaches become chronic, it can really get you down— literally, your head can feel like a million pounds.  Acupuncture has shown that it is effective to treat sinus headaches.

Why does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture works to relieve pain by regulating the pain patterns in the brain, stimulating the release of natural pain relieving chemicals, and reducing inflammation.  As acupuncturists, we say this is stimulating the body to heal itself.

Acupuncture theory states that acupuncture works by correcting the root imbalance causing the disease.  Healing can only happen when the body is in balance.  Acupuncture works by correcting imbalances in your body.  Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself.

How does Acupuncture treat sinus headaches?

Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment is individualized to your specific symptoms.  Although not for everyone, one key imbalance for sinus headaches is often dampness.

In acupuncture, characteristics of the weather can also be pathogens that causes disease.  Because sinus headaches make your head feel dull, foggy, heavy, and full, and sometimes get worse in the rainy weather, they can caused by dampness.  This is not all cases, and it is important to get diagnosed by an acupuncturist.  For example, if there is an infection or more intense pain, the diagnosis may also include heat or energy deficiency and the treatment will be very different.

What is acupuncture treatment like?

An effective acupuncture treatment is based upon a specific and accurate diagnosis of the imbalance.  I like to combine acupressure with the acupuncture to create greater results and a stronger sense of relaxation.  Usually people will feel relief after only a few weekly visits.

Photo:edupics.com