Acupuncture for Migraines & Headaches

An acupuncturist learns a lot about which energetic organ system and meridian pathway are involved based on the location of discomfort or pain. For example, forehead headaches relate to the stomach and gall bladder meridians often stemming from insufficient nutrition or poor eating habits. Presenting symptoms and signs are combined with internal and external causative factors and woven together into a “pattern of disharmony” – identifying where a lack of energetic harmony exists within a person’s body and using it as a basis for treatment.

Internal causes arise from something already existing within the body. For example, a Chinese medicine diagnosis known as “liver yang rising” is yang pushing upward and collecting in the head. In this case, pain is predominantly on one side of the head or at the temples – typically impacting vision and due to external stress or internal emotional tension.

External causes are derived from the environment and weather including sudden changes in temperature or conditions the body can’t adjust to quick enough. Possible triggers include a sudden change in temperature or air quality due to air-conditioning and central heating as well as the dust or allergens it may carry. A headache or migraine might also be set off by getting hit with external wind while driving in a convertible, enjoying a boat ride or simply putting the window down while driving down the road.

Here are some helpful suggestions:

• When extreme fatigue is present, avoid overworking, make special time to rest and relax, eliminate caffeine and other stimulants from the diet and refrain from sexual activity until feeling more energized.
  
• When liver yang is rising and heat symptoms present themselves, avoid spicy and greasy foods and be conscientious about reducing stress.
  
• When blood or qi is deficient, incorporate more whole grains, beans, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables and eat mostly cooked foods and warming drinks. Small amounts of grass-fed red meat or a hearty soup with a bone broth base also have a blood building effect.
  
• When an emotional component exists, sort things out by taking long walks, journaling, talking things out with loved ones or try talk therapy with a psychotherapist.
  

Daily Centering Exercise

• Sit up straight on a comfortable chair with soles of feet resting on the floor and palms on your belly.
  
• Take a few deep breaths and look within.
  
• Then place your fingertips on your temples and gently massage them in circles six times in one direction and six times in the opposite direction.
  
• When you are ready, place your palms on your belly and take a few deep breaths once again.
  
• Then stand up and shake yourself off and get on with the rest of your day.
  

Allow yourself to find better balance and seek help from acupuncture and other holistic modalities when you are ready. Always keep in mind that your body possesses an innate capability for healing. It’s just a matter of time and finding the right methods to help you get there.