Acupuncture for Migraines

The Mladenoff Clinic of Arizona provides effective, natural treatment that is clinically proven for fast relief and long-term prevention for migraines and headaches in Phoenix Arizona.

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, this neurological disease affects nearly 39 million Americans. Below are reasons why you should consider getting acupuncture for your migraine headache and other helpful information.

• Digestive Health: Irregular bowl movements, gas & bloating, Cohn's Disease, IBS.
  
• Stress Management: Anxiety, Insomnia, Panic attacks, Depression. 
  
• Inflammation: Allergies, Acne, Arthritis, Eczema, Dermatitis, Muscle & Joint Pain, Fatigue, Gout, Weight Gain, Type 2 Diabetes.
  
• Women's Health: Menstrual Irregularities, Hormone Irregularity, Yeast Infection, Fertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause. 
  
• Immune Support: Colds & Flus, UTI, Chronic Infection.
  
• Paid Management
• Respiratory Health
• Cardiovascular Health

What Are The Migraine Causes and Symptoms?

Whether you have chronic headaches or the worst migraines associated with neurological symptoms, including light and noise intolerance, pain behind eye, nausea, vomiting, depression, and irritation, the cause may be associated with a structural issue. When the nerves are irritated or compressed, they send disturbing sensory messages to the brain. This disturbed or heightened sensitivity of the nervous system can lead directly to acute headache or migraine.

Because modern medicine doesn’t completely understand this neurological phenomenon, the typical treatment is somewhat hit or miss. One way to seek relief is by reaching for drugs and other medications. Unfortunately, common medications do not address the root causes and can cause unwanted side effects when used over long periods of time. Common side effects of medications are sleepiness and fatigue, racing heartbeat, nausea, difficulty thinking, and trouble functioning.

There is an alternative migraine treatment, and this alternative is acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Because TCM treatment is customized to the individual’s conditions, it can do much more than just relieve pain. Here are seven reasons why you should consider getting acupuncture:

1. Acupuncture has been proven to relieve migraine pain.  This is the number one reason why people seek acupuncture. Thousands of studies have shown acupuncture treatments can effectively relieve and reduce pain for acute and chronic pain. When acupuncture is combined with chiropractic care, the results can be instant and even longer lasting.

2. Acupuncture reduces inflammation.  While migraines are not completely understood, it is agreed upon by most professionals any headache involves some sort of inflammatory response by the body. Acupuncture promotes the release of vascular and immune-mediating factors that actually decrease inflammation.

3. Acupuncture can reduce serotonin levels.  Serotonin is a chemical the body produces. Many scientists and neurologists believe serotonin may be linked to triggering migraines. Because acupuncture can be used for preventive medicine, it can also help to balance serotonin levels on a long-term basis. Thus you may have less frequent migraine attacks.

4. Acupuncture can help with the symptoms of migraines.  Acupuncture can treat not only pain but also the symptoms of migraines. Studies have shown symptoms like nausea, dizziness and vomiting can all be reduced with regular treatments.

5. Acupuncture improves blood circulation.  When you experience pain, it is because of a lack of proper blood flow and decreased oxygen. This is as true for migraines as any other type of pain. Acupuncture can improve blood circulation, which also increases the amount of oxygen that reaches the tissues.

6. Acupuncture Provides Fast Pain Relief.  Yes. There is an effective, natural treatment that is clinically proven to provide fast relief and long-term prevention.

7. Leading National and International Health Organizations recognize acupuncture to be effective in the treatment of headaches.

An important part of acupuncture and TCM is the concept of Qi. Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the vital energy that animates the body and protects it from illness. It flows through pathways called meridians and provides nourishment to all the body’s organs. When there is an imbalance or blockage in the flow of Qi, physical symptoms may result. Stagnation of Qi may be the cause of your headaches.

During acupuncture treatment for migraines, in order to restore the balance and flow of Qi, Dr. Diana will insert fine sterile needles at specific acupuncture points along the meridian pathways. Based on your unique symptoms, Dr. D will choose to concentrate on acupuncture points related to specific organs. Afterwards, she may prescribe a variety of self-care techniques further expedite your healing process.

It is important to remember that acupuncture for migraine or headache is not a quick fix, but most patients experience (almost) instant relief. Changes may occur quickly or over a longer period of time, depending upon your overall constitution and health. It is also important to closely follow the care recommendations suggested by Dr. D. Whether it is one visit to address an acute problem, or several visits to address a chronic problem, a migraine acupuncture specialist like Dr. Diana will create a treatment protocol for your migraine headache symptom that will maximize your healing potential.

• Neck Pain
  
• Stress
  
• Headaches
  
• Allergies
  
• Back Pain
  
• Anxiety
  
• Digestive Issues
  
• Fertility
  

1. Balances hormone levels and regulates the menstrual cycle.
2. Reduces inflammation including the intensity of menstrual cramps and severity of endometriosis.
3. Improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
4. Thickens uterine lining (endometrium) and helps with endometrial receptor expression.
5. Promotes ovulation in anovulatory patients such as women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or hypothalamic amenorrhea.
6. Improves semen quality and sperm count in men. 
7. Improves embryo implantation rates.

Reference:

1. Otesa,Miles.  Migraines and family history. Migraine.com, Nov 2010. 
2. Nelson, C. F., Bronfort, G., Evans, R., Boline, P., Goldsmith, C., & Anderson, A. V. The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for the prophylaxis of migraine headache. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 1998 Oct: 21(8), 511-9.
3. “Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine,” The Cochrane Review, published June 28, 2016.
4. Migraine and cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis, BMJ 2009;339:b3914.