A migraine is more than just a headache. It can turn into an all-encompassing pain with a range of other symptoms. Our understanding of migraines is limited, and while progress has been made in managing symptoms, there is still no definitive treatment. An acupuncture treatment for migraine may allow you to reduce the impact of migraines on your daily life.
What are migraines?
Migraines are classified as a neurological disorder. The main symptom is a severe, throbbing headache. They may also cause sensory disturbances like flashing lights, increased sensitivity to light or sound, fatigue, and nausea. Everyone experiences symptoms differently. Some people experience auras or other symptoms before the headache starts. Duration can also vary, from a few hours to a few days, and some people experience multiple migraines in a week, while others have them very rarely. Menstrual migraines occur before or during your period. A severe migraine can make it almost impossible to interact with the world and participate in regular daily activities until the symptoms resolve.
How are migraines managed?
We do not know what causes migraines, but they are often triggered by particular stressors, from hunger and lack of sleep to chocolate or coffee. This means that migraine prevention often involves avoiding certain sights, sounds, foods, and other potential triggers. Diet, exercise, sleep habits, stress levels, and sensory exposure all have a role to play.
When a migraine starts, you might reach for painkillers or anti-nausea medication to help manage the symptoms. You may use other medications preventatively to try and stop migraines from happening. Whether a medication is right for you depends on several factors. These include other health conditions you’re managing, any medications you’re already taking, how severe the side effects may be, and personal circumstances like pregnancy. This means there is no one course of treatment suitable for everyone, and often people turn to acupuncture and other alternatives.
How can an acupuncture treatment for migraine help?
Acupuncture works well on its own and can also complement other migraine treatments. It is particularly popular because it does not have the same side effects and contraindications as medication. The main risks include redness or soreness at the needle sites. There’s also a small chance of infection if the needles aren’t properly sterilized. Both issues are manageable with safe, professional care.
Acupuncture treatment for migraine starts not with the acupuncture itself, but just stepping into the acupuncture room. It will be set up to aid your relaxation, meaning you are unlikely to encounter bright lights, loud noises, or other potential triggers. Start by discussing your migraine symptoms—how often they happen, how intense they feel, and any patterns you’ve noticed. Share your full medical history too. This gives your acupuncturist the information they need to tailor the treatment to you personally.
Once the treatment begins, its benefits come in two forms: pain relief and stress reduction. Your body detects the needles and prepares to start repairing the injury, even though there is no damage. This process boosts circulation, helping oxygen and nutrients reach your body and especially your brain. It also triggers the release of endorphins, which ease pain and lift your mood. This will help you feel brighter and more energized, counteracting the pain and fatigue associated with migraines.
Acupuncture can help shift your body from the stressed, high-alert state of the sympathetic nervous system to the calm, restorative mode of the parasympathetic system. This switch encourages relaxation, eases tension, and supports your body’s natural healing processes. This includes reducing the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. Stress is a major trigger for migraines, and this switch should alleviate its symptoms, helping to regulate your heart rate, breathing, sleep habits, appetite, and more. By the end, your muscles should be less tense, and you should be better able to relax.
Feeling more relaxed helps reduce your chances of getting future migraines. Acupuncture also supports key lifestyle changes like better sleep and more regular, healthy eating. These changes can help reduce how often migraines occur and how intense they feel. Similarly, better hormone regulation doesn’t just impact migraines directly, but may also lead to more regular, less painful periods, which could have a direct effect on menstrual migraines in particular.
Conclusion
Managing migraines is a complex process that involves balancing different factors. Acupuncture for migraine relief has a low risk of side effects and is unlikely to interfere with other health conditions or medications. It can ease pain, reduce triggers, and help you relax, making it easier to get back to your daily routine.
Migraine Relief at Blue Tortoise Acupuncture
At Blue Tortoise Acupuncture, we offer gentle, Japanese-style treatments designed to ease migraine symptoms and support long-term relief. Each session is tailored to your needs, helping reduce pain, calm your nervous system, and restore balance, without the side effects of medication.
Whether migraines are disrupting your daily life or you’re simply looking for a more natural approach, we’re here to help you feel better.