5 Reasons Acupuncture Works to Treat Migraines

This is the second post in a series on headaches.  Today I am going to focus on migraines, how acupuncture can treat them, and some tips you can do on your own.

Everyone knows, migraines are terrible.  But more people are finding that acupuncture can help them.

As an acupuncturists, all my friends and patients want to know why it works.  Here are five major reasons acupuncture works to treat migraine headaches.

Acupuncture seems very magical, how does it work?

Acupuncture is quite amazing at treating migraines, but it is certainly not magic.  The practice is rooted in a clinical history of over 2000 years, in which physicians and scholars wrote and discussed the best way to heal their patients.  There are also many physiological reasons acupuncture regulates the nervous system to relieve pain.

Top Five Reasons

1.  Correcting the root imbalance:   Healing can only happen when the body is in balance.  Acupuncture works by correcting imbalances that are in your body.  Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself.  Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment is individualized to your specific symptoms. For example, in women, migraines are often associated with your period.  So characteristics of your period, such as bloating, breast tenderness, and abdominal pain will factor into the diagnosis.

Correcting the root imbalance is certainly the most powerful reason that acupuncture works for migraines. But there are compelling physiological reasons as well.

2.  Regulate areas of brain for pain- Studies of acupuncture show that acupuncture works to regulate pain centers of the brain.  In one study of acupuncture and carpel tunnel syndrome pain, an fMRI scan of the brain showed that acupuncture actually changed the way the brain perceived pain and regulates parts of the brain that are in charge of controlling pain.  So in fact it changes the way we perceive the pain.

3.  Release of Neurotransmitters that relieve pain- Acupuncture also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters which relax the body and decrease pain.

4. Relax the body- In migraine headaches, there is a terrible cycle of tension and pain.  The muscles tense up in reaction to the pain and then the pain causes the muscles to tense up more.  This cycle of pain further exasperates the decreased blood flow to and from the skull, which is one of the causes of migraines.  Acupuncture cuts off this cycle of tension and pain by relaxing the muscles and relieving tension.

5. Relax the mind- Acupuncture is a very relaxing experience.  Most people feel very calm during the treatment and this lasts for a period of time afterwards.  Over time, treatment helps influence you to be a calmer person and increase your ability to deal with stress. This is because Chinese medicine does not separate the body and the mind.  The mind influences the body, and the body influences the mind.  So in treating the body we also relax the mind.

If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.  If you are not in the New York City Area, please go to Acufinder.com in order to find someone in your area.