- The causes ¹ of migraines are unknown at this point after many years of medical researches. However, there are some factors that might lead to the development of this medical condition. The most common factors known today or at least associated in Migraines are the following: Genetics, Chemical imbalance in the brain, age, gender (most common in women), emotional stress, Food, sleep pattern changes (Insomnia), hormonal changes, weather changes, too much medication (side effects included) and many others. It is extremely important to have a clear definition and to know a connection with your migraine episodes and their possible factors. Therefore, knowing your body and knowing the factors, this can lead you to reduce the episodes of this medical condition. But what if you have no control of certain factors that leads to your migraines episodes such weather changes, emotional stress, hormonal imbalance, genetics, sleep changes such Insomnia?
- Acupuncture has been around for about 3000 years. For this type of medicine the whole body is taken as one whole system. Unlike western medicine, they have defined each major organ as individual systems. For example, they have the Nervous system, the pulmonary system, the Cardiovascular system ect. Therefore, in western medicine you can find specialists for each of these systems. As an acupuncturist, I have learned that the body is one system. As in western medicine, Chinese medicine teaches that the major organs have specific physiological and defined functions. In addition to this knowledge, Chinese medicine also teaches that each major organ travels within the body and connects and influence the other organs. Therefore, each organ has different numbers of points or locations in the body. Each organ also has a different pathway within the body. The Liver has 14 different points² or locatios within the body. Each point has a function or multiple functions that regulates this organ and the body. In Chinese medicine the liver also controls the emotional aspect in our lives such Anger and Stress. In terms of Migraines, if the patient tells us that He/She suffers from Headaches located at temporal or vertex side of the head than we know this is related to the Liver. However, If the person tells us that the location of the headaches are frontal than we relate this type of headache to the digestive system. It is very important for a chinese medicine practioner to pay special attention to details what the person is reaveling to us during evaluation. I have experienced in the clinical setting amazing results for many different medical conditions among them Migraines. The results have varied per individual. Some cases the migraines are gone for weeks and some case months. Other cases, the migraines has lessen and the pain level has dropped dramatically from 8-9/10 to a 2-3/10 on a pain level scale. Each individual has different results and each one is treated based on the root/origin of the individual. There are many scientific studies about Migraines and Acupuncture. One of them was listed on the Global advances in Health and Medicine³
- The approach of a medical condition such migraines in Chinese medicine might be different from western medicine. Our approach is always finding the root/origin of the condition. We will treat the medical condition but also its root/origin. By attacking both, it is less likely that the condition may worsen and the episodes are much tolerable and in some cases the migraines might disappear for days, weeks or even months ³. One of the first things I do during treatment is to include acupuncture points so the person is able to sleep deeply. I will also include acupuncture points to reduce the stress. As results of this approach, the person is more relaxed during daily activities and less likely to stressed out and emotionally more stable. As it is known that emotional stress and sleep changes are some factors that triggers Migraines. Once I have included these acupuncture points, I also include specific points for Migraines. We can also offer chinese herbal Medicine prescriptions for this condition, depending on each individual. The world Health Organization has included Acupuncture to approach Migraine/headache as an alternative treatment. If you feel that you have tried western medicine and it has not helped you or if you are concerned about the side effects of the medication that you are currently taking than you should give Acupuncture a try. It might be the solution you been looking for.
1 https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-causes#1
2 A manual of Acupuncture by: Peter deadman, Mazin Al-Khafaji and Kevin Baker
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921614/
Heaven's Touch Acupuncture 