The most common over-the-counter drugs used by migraine sufferers are Acetaminophen and NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Some popular migraine medications combine the two and add caffeine to the mix. Upset stomach, constipation, itching, rash, and anxiety are only a sample of the minor side effects associated with these medications. Acute liver failure, gastric ulcers, and kidney failure are among the severe and disturbingly common risks posed by these drugs.
Why am I sharing this? So many migraine sufferers rely on these medications and prescription medications for years before seeking alternative therapy. Even as migraines persist and disrupt daily life, they continue their pill-popping ways at the risk of serious health consequences. Yet, acupuncture predates our synthetic drugs by thousands of years, produces virtually no side effects, and is minimally invasive. It has been used to effectively treat pain throughout the centuries.
Acupuncture & Migraine Relief
Did you know that acupuncture is no longer the exclusive domain of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its practitioners? In 2012, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a review of 29 legitimate acupuncture studies that included 17,922 test subjects. The authors concluded that there is robust evidence that acupuncture is a reasonable option for patients with chronic pain.[1] Modern science is making great strides in understanding the neurophysiological and anatomical effects of acupuncture.
So you realize that acupuncture could help relieve your migraines, but the idea of a head full of acupuncture needles terrifies you. Don’t worry. That is not how migraine relief acupuncture works. Insertion of acupuncture needles at painful areas causes blood to flow to that location. An experienced acupuncturist will know that increased circulation may lead to pain relief in most cases, but increased blood flow to the head can mean trouble for migraine sufferers.
Your acupuncturist will probably take a different approach. She or he will most often use ‘distal’ acupuncture points located on the arms and legs, thus avoiding the very dilation of blood vessels in the head which often causes migraines. The ultimate goal is to stimulate the body’s self-regulating system and raise the threshold for migraines triggers.
Acupuncture & Migraine Prevention
Migraine pain is often described as a freight train barreling through the head. In contrast to its intensity, a migraine can be triggered by seemingly insignificant things such as specific foods or even changes in the weather.
Overall health also plays a significant role in migraine frequency. Insomnia, heart disease, and hypertension are common health challenges found in conjunction with migraines. What do these conditions have in common? They all are associated with chronic stress. An overactive sympathetic nervous system — that constant state of fight-or-flight — wreaks havoc on our health. Acupuncture excels in shifting the body out of a sympathetic state and into a resting mode. De-stressing is vital to migraine prevention.
Acupuncture & The Migraine-Free Lifestyle
No matter what philosophy your acupuncturist adheres to, you should expect him or her to be committed to your overall well-being, not merely scribbling on a prescription pad. In other words, you should expect common sense. Here are just a few recommendations for a migraine-free lifestyle:
- Sleep seven to eight hours a day and avoid fatigue.
- Avoid alcohol. Sorry, red wine fans!
- Avoid caffeine.
- Avoid foods known to trigger migraines, especially foods that contain the amino acid tyramine. These foods include aged cheeses, cured meats, pickled foods, and chocolate. Sorry again!
- Relax through meditation or breathing exercises. Learn what it feels like to feel calm even for a few short minutes each day.
Know your own triggers. Surely, on some instinctive level, you will want to know where that freight train came from and how to avoid stepping in front of it. For migraine prevention or relief, make an appointment with your local acupuncturist today.
[1]http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1357513
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