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Acupuncture for Migraines


Migraine, a whale of a headache 


A drug-free therapy that can help to relieve and prevent migraine symptoms? Acupuncture.

Migraines are a neurovascular headache disorder with traits such as:

  • one-sided throbbing or sharp headaches

  • bilateral headaches

  • eye/eyebrow tension

  • vision changes

  • face or hand tingling

  • intense or throbbing headaches

  • nausea & vomiting

  • abnormal light, noise, and smell sensitivity

  • skin sensitivity

  • muscle tenderness, neck tension

I see how migraines can reduce your quality of life and restrict your ability to work, exercise, socialise, and partake in your hobbies. They are not just "bad headaches" - they are a neurological condition with an array of triggers and factors.

Why do migraines happen?

Genetics, environmental stressors, habits, and sensitivities all play a role. Recent theories show an electrophysiological hyperactivity followed by a wave of vessel constriction, inflammation in the brain's outer membranes, and an increased sensitivity of sensory nerves.


Medical treatment options often include anti-inflammatories, triptans, antiemetics, and beta-blockers… yet these medications have numerous side effects. Acupuncture can be an effective and safe alternative to relieving headaches and migraine-related symptoms without the side effects. Acupuncture for migraines works on the neurovascular system. The following sections expand on evidence for acupuncture for migraines. 

Acupuncture for Migraines

Traditional Chinese medicine views migraines as an imbalance in the body.

Each person may experience migraines for various reasons: different body imbalances, different lifestyles, and/or different genetics. Therefore, acupuncture for migraines can differ from patient-to-patient. Treatments are personalised in order to achieve the most effective results. Acupuncture sends signals to the body to promote healing and regulate imbalances.

Alleviates symptoms

Acupuncture can reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of migraine episodes and accompanying symptoms

Reduces medication use

Acupuncture may reduce the need for migraine medication, therefore lessening potential medication side effects

Targets specific areas for healing 

Acupuncture prevents excess inflammation through nerve and chemical mediator regulation


TCM approach to treatment 

External Wind Cold/Heat/Damp invasion

Caused by sitting under an air-conditioner, going out with wet hair, not wearing a scarf or enough clothes in the wind


Can be accompanied by runny nose and sneezing, sore throat, heavy body, heavy head, chills and fever, or coughing

Liver Yang rising

Feels like: throbbing headaches, triggered by heat or stress, tendency towards anger/frustration, dizziness, dry mouth, red itchy eyes, dark yellow urine

Blood Stagnation

Localised sharp piercing pain, throbbing headaches, sharp eye pain, worse with pressure, dry skin, dry mouth

Liver-Qi stagnation

Feels like: expanding and throbbing headaches, triggered by stress, frustration, or anger, mood swings, loss of appetite, PMS, irregular bowel movements

Blood/Yin deficiency

Feels like: dehydration, throbbing headaches, fatigue, dry skin and mouth, thirst, dizziness

Phlegm accumulation

Heavy pulsating headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, irregular bowel movements


Are there pressure points to relieve headaches?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into specific therapeutic points in the body by a licensed professional, whereas acupressure uses firm pressure to massage the same points to elicit a similar effect. Acupressure, if performed correctly, may reduce headache tension. However, acupuncture for migraines can reach deeper points and achieve a stronger stimulation to activate the body’s innate healing process than that of acupressure. 


What about menstrual migraines?

Period-related or PMS headaches can arise at different times of the cycle. For example, when there is an estrogen drop during the menstrual cycle. This happens around the second half of your cycle. In this phase, decreased estrogen causes serotonin production to drop. Certain nerves in the head release peptides which are known to cause migraines! Period-related headaches can be more intense due to the decrease in activity of the body’s natural opioids (the feel-good chemicals). Acupuncture decreases migraine peptide-production and increases serotonin and natural opioid levels. Acupuncture for migraines can prevent and reduce headaches that escalate during menstruation.

Explore migraine symptoms further:

Headaches

Headaches negatively impact your quality of life, causing both physical and emotional distress. 
Anti-inflammatory and tryptamine medications are commonly recommended for migraine headaches. However, they also produce side effects such as indigestion, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, chest/throat tightness, muscle aches, and fatigue; long-term use can also negatively impact the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver.

Chinese Medicine may assist by: 

  • Priming the gastrointestinal tract to better tolerate the effects of medication

  • Regulating elevated levels of peptides present during the headache stage of migraines, which has been associated with symptom improvement

  • Stimulating the secretion of natural endorphins at inflammatory sites through nerve signalling

  • Mediating vagal stimulation and dopamine levels through both parasympathetic and sympathetic pathways


Photo and Phonophobia

Many migraine episodes are triggered by light or sound, interfering with daily activities and reducing quality of life. 
Acupuncture for migraines works to regulate the neural system and pain mediators to prevent episodes brought on by light or noise from occurring. 

Chinese Medicine may assist by: 

  • Regulating the chemical mediators responsible for causing photophobia

  • Stimulating changes in the neural pathways, especially those influencing pain

  • Calming the vascular and nerve reflexes around the eyes

  • Regulating elevated levels of peptides present at light-induced migraines, which has been associated with symptom improvement


Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can be induced by migraine episodes.
Antiemetic medications are commonly prescribed for migraine-induced nausea and vomiting, however they can cause headaches, constipation and dry mouth. 

Chinese Medicine may assist by: 

  • Reversing the upward flow of energy caused by the onset of a migraine

  • Regulating the neuronal signals to the brain responsible for initiating nausea and vomiting

  • Priming the gastrointestinal tract to better tolerate future episodes

  • Strengthening the digestive system to better receive food and medication



Dizziness

Acupuncture for migraines aims to reduce the frequency and intensity of dizziness to improve daily functioning. 

Chinese Medicine may assist by: 

  • Balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity to reduce episodes of dizziness

  • Releasing neck muscles and tissues and promoting both velocity and volume of local blood flow 

  • Improving cerebral blood supply to nourish the brain

  • Suppressing sympathetic nerve activity and regulating vascular pressure

Fatigue

Fatigue can arise alongside migraines and slow the recovery process. Acupuncture for migraines aims to reduce fatigue to provide more energy for both healing and daily activities.

Chinese Medicine may assist by: 

  • Regulating immune function

  • Reducing general and local inflammation, allowing energy for other processes

  • Balancing nervous system regulation and hormone levels

  • Reducing the stress resulting from fatigue

  • Improving sleep


Feel stronger physically & emotionally

Acupuncture for migraines can relieve headache-related symptoms and the physical side effects of medication, allowing you to feel stronger and in control of your life.

I aim to reduce the number of times you take medication, cancel plans, and take sick days.

Your first visit is a 60 minute initial consultation, acupuncture treatment, & personalised herbal formula.

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I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, the traditional owners of the land on which my clinic stands and on which I practice. I extend my respects to their elders, past and present, and to all First Nations peoples and elders.

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