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Do you suffer from migraines or know someone who does?
Most people that have migraines will turn to over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs to get relief from this horribly debilitating condition.
But, as you know, medications have side-effects that can be potentially dangerous. Complications that can occur include possible liver damage, ulcers, poor kidney function and even rebound headaches. Thankfully, there are natural holistic approaches that can ease headache and migraine pains and even prevent them.
Have you ever tried acupuncture?
Acupuncture may not be the first thing that pops into mind when you think of ways to ease your nagging migraine headache, but, you might be surprised to find that it should be. According to a recent medical study, when it comes to migraines and other types of chronic headaches, acupuncture can provide better lasting relief than conventional medical care.
In a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers have discovered that acupuncture greatly helps in improving the quality of life, as well as, preventing headaches for patients who suffer from chronic migraines. The study involved around 400 adults, half of whom were given only conventional medical treatment, while the other half received twelve sessions of acupuncture along with conventional care for a full three months.
After their treatments were completed, all participants who received the acupuncture reported that they were having fewer days with headaches and migraines than before the treatments began. Three months after the treatments, these people continued to report a significant decline in migraine intensity, frequency and days of onset.
A year after the study concluded, researchers discovered these findings for those who had the twelve sessions of acupuncture:
- Reduced their usage of medications by 15%.
- Experienced fewer days with migraines and headaches (an average of 22 days).
- Had 25% less visits to their doctor than before the study.
- Had 15% less sick time taken off at work than the group that did not have acupuncture treatments.
The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture can be more effective than other types of treatment without acupuncture, as far as, reducing headache severity and frequency.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
As a treatment for chronic migraines and headaches, this ancient Chinese practice involves the injection of tiny needles into particular body points, followed by a gentle electrical or manual stimulation of these needles.
This procedure facilitates an instant flow of blood in the tissues by way of a mechanism called axon reflex that augments the blood vessels surrounding the needle areas. As the blood flow increases, the circulation improves, removing stagnation (poor blood flow in Chinese medicine) in the body. This, in turn, prevents and eases the migraine.
Acupuncture In Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a practice that balances a person’s chi, a life force or a flow of energy that runs through the meridians or pathways of the body. The use of and believed effectiveness of acupuncture for headaches has been a standard in TCM since its beginnings in China more than 2,000 years ago.
As the needles are inserted into the specific acupuncture points, the energy in the body is restored into perfect balance, easing and even preventing headache pain, and actually helping other conditions too.
Western medical practitioners, on the other hand, consider these points as areas to stimulate muscles, nerves and connective tissues. They believe that the practice’s stimulation activity increases blood flow and boosts the activity of natural painkillers in the body. Whichever way it works, the fact remains that acupuncture does help with various types of headaches, including, migraines.
How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will You Need?
The frequency, number and length of acupuncture treatments will vary from one person to another. But, for the most part, a session of this ancient Chinese treatment lasts between five minutes to half an hour once or twice per week.
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