Alleviate Your Migraine and Headache Pain
Are you plagued by chronic headaches? More than 45 million Americans (one in six) suffer from chronic headaches, and 20 million of them are
women. Scientific research shows that acupuncture can be more effective
than medication in reducing the severity and frequency of chronic
headaches.
The pain that headache and migraine sufferers endure can impact every
aspect of their lives. Acupuncture is a widely accepted form of
treatment for headaches, and can offer powerful relief without the side
effects that prescription and over- the-counter drugs can cause.
Headaches and migraines, as well as their under- lying causes, have been
treated successfully with acupuncture and Oriental medicine for
thousands of years. They can be used alone in the management and
treatment of headaches, or as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine do not recognize migraines and chronic
headaches as one particular syndrome. Instead, these approaches aim to
treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a
variety of of techniques including acupuncture, tui-na massage, and
energetic exercises to restore balance in the body. Therefore, your
diagnosis and treatment will depend on a number of variables. In
diagnosing your individual issues, you may be asked a series of
questions, including:
- Is the headache behind your eyes and temples, or is it located more on the top of your head?
- When do your headaches occur (i.e. night, morning, after eating)?
- Do you find that a cold compress or a darkened room can alleviate some of the pain?
- Is the pain dull and throbbing, or sharp and piercing?
Your answers to these questions will help your practitioner create a
treatment plan specifically for you. The basic foundation of Oriental medicine is that there is a life energy flowing through the body which
is termed Qi (pronounced chee). This energy flows through the body on
channels known as meridians that connect all of our major organs.
According to Oriental medical theory, illness or pain arises when the
cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced.
Acupuncture stimulates specific points located on or near the surface of
the skin to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions that
cause aches and pains or illness. The length, number and frequency of
treatments will vary. Some headaches,migraines and related symptoms
are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic
ailments often require multiple treatments.
Do you or someone you know suffer from headaches or migraines? Call (904)448-0046 today to find out how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you!
Relief, Naturally!
Here are some natural alternatives to ease your aching head:
The Headache Point - Large Intestine 4 is such a powerful
acupuncture point for headaches that it is often referred to as "the
headache point." It is located on the padded area of your hand between
the thumb and index finger, between the first and second metacarpal
bones. Massage this point with your thumb on both hands for
approximately 30 seconds.
Peppermint Oil - It
has a calming and soothing effect on the body, and is often used to
treat headaches. Rub peppermint essential oil across your forehead and
temples to relieve a tension headache or inhale a peppermint steam treatment to treat a sinus headache.
Adding 10-15 drops of peppermint oil to a warm bath is another great
way to relax, reduce muscle tension and relieve a headache.
Ginger - Numerous clinical studies have shown that ginger can be
used to re- lieve headaches. Researchers believe it does so by relaxing
the blood vessels in the head and diminishing swelling in the brain.
Ginger also activates natural opiates in the brain that relieve pain,
and reduce prostaglandins, which are responsible for causing
inflammation.
Acupuncture- for headaches and migraine prevention:
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a very consistent and philosophically- based
framework for headache etiology, physiology, diagnosis and treatment strategy.
Acupuncture, as an effective treatment modality, has been applied to headaches
from the earliest beginnings of TCM.
Acupuncture is not only effective for migraine headaches, but also works
very well with tension headaches, cluster headaches, post-traumatic headaches, and disease-related headaches that might be due to sinus problems, high
blood pressure or sleeping disorders. The greatest advantage of acupuncture
over Western medicine is that it does virtually no harm. Some medications
can have serious side effects and can (in some instances) actually lead
to patients experiencing a "rebound" headache. Unlike synthetic
drugs, acupuncture has virtually no side effects, and the procedures for
treating headaches are much less invasive with acupuncture than with surgery.
Healthy Habits
Headache sufferers can reduce the intensity and frequency of their
headaches or migraine episodes by following these healthy habits:
Nutrition
Eat regular meals, and avoid foods and drinks that are known to trigger your headache attacks.
Sleep
Practice good sleep habits. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule,
including weekends and vacations. If you have insomnia or have
difficulties getting a restful sleep ask how acupuncture can help.
Stress
Implement stress reduction techniques into your daily life. If you are
having difficulties managing your stress, acupuncture provides a number
of tools to help keep it in check.
Be a Partner in Your Care
Stay informed, so you can be a participant in your treatment and an advocate for improving your own headache treatment.
Headache Journal
Keep a journal of when your headaches occur, along with any triggers, and share the information with your healthcare provider.
Education
Stay apprised of the latest treatment options and headache relief news.
See Your Healthcare Provider
Call now (904) 448-0046 take an appointment to specifically discuss your headaches and available treatment for them!
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