Treating Headaches & Migraines
Safe & Natural Treatment
Are you suffering from severe headaches or chronic migraines? Have you struggled to find treatments that work? Are you looking for a different option?
At Village Acupuncture, we know just how profoundly headaches and migraines can affect a person’s quality of life.
Over the years, we have successfully treated hundreds of patients suffering from headaches and migraines. And that’s what sets us apart—experience. We always begin treatment by investigating root causes to determine whether they are medical, environmental, or a combination of both. Our treatment plans are personalized for every patient, but they typically entail a blend of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle changes.
Learn more about Our Approach and Our Services.
Migraines are the third most common disease globally, affecting one out of every seven people.
Headaches Are More Common than You Think
Unfortunately, headaches and migraines are more common than most people realize. Researchers estimate that one out of every six Americans regularly experiences either severe headaches or chronic migraines.
In 2018, the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found that women were nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from recurring headaches or migraines. A quarter of women in the United States between the ages of 18–44 reported experiencing some form of headache compared to only 12% of male respondents.
In addition, more than 37 million Americans suffer from migraines, according to the American Migraine Foundation, and it’s the third most common disease globally, affecting one out of every seven people. And more than 90% of people who suffer from migraines report that the illness has a negative impact on their education, career, or social life.
Thankfully, Acupuncture Can Help
The good news is that acupuncture and Chinese medicine can provide both immediate and lasting relief for many patients.
A 2016 review of 22 high-quality medical trials involving nearly 5,000 participants found “consistent evidence that acupuncture is beneficial in the treatment of acute migraine attacks and that the available studies suggest that acupuncture is at least as effective as prophylactic drug treatment and has fewer adverse effects.”
The findings indicate that more than half of patients could experience a 50% reduction in the frequency of their chronic headaches or migraines after receiving acupuncture treatments and that this reduction in symptoms could persist for up to six months or longer.
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Studies have found more than half of patients could experience a 50% reduction in the frequency of their chronic headaches or migraines after receiving acupuncture treatments.
Our Approach to the Treatment of Headaches and Migraines
In most cases, we recommend that patients who are experiencing recurring headaches or migraines begin with one or two acupuncture sessions per week for at least a few weeks to a month. We like patients to rest and recover between sessions, and it can also take time to determine the impact that acupuncture treatments have on a patient’s symptoms. In addition, we usually prescribe a regime of herbal therapy and other recommendations to complement the treatments.
Acupuncture has few or no adverse side effects for most patients, and it can be safely administered alongside other medical treatments and medications. We always encourage our patients to consult their primary care doctor, and we have had a lot of success treating headaches and migraines in patients who continue to take both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Over time, however, many of our patients become less dependent on prescription medication as their symptoms decrease, and some have even been able to discontinue medication altogether.
During an attack or between treatments, there’s also a lot that patients can do to manage headache and migraine symptoms on their own:
Comfortably rest or lie down in a quiet room with the lights off and blinds closed.
Place a cool cloth or ice pack on the forehead.
Drink a lot of fluids.
Use stress-management strategies such as exercise, meditation, stretching, yoga, nature walks, or breathing and relaxation techniques.
Keep a journal to identify and track potential causes, such as specific triggering foods, medicines, life routines, or environmental factors. It also helps you figure out what you should do, such as establishing a consistent sleep schedule and eating regular meals.
Consider hormone therapy if the migraines appear to be connected to your menstrual cycles.
Migraines are a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurring headaches and related symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.
Tension headaches can be caused by eyestrain, hunger, stress, anxiety, and other emotional, psychological, or physical factors. Tension headaches can feel like the skull is being squeezed in a tight and unrelenting grip.
Cluster headaches, one of the most excruciating forms of acute headache, often manifest as intense, spiking, or radiating pain behind the eyes or in one side of the head. Cluster headaches typically come and go in cycles, but attacks can persist for days, weeks, or even months for some patients.
Post-traumatic headaches result from concussions and other brain injuries. Millions of people suffer traumatic brain injuries each year in the United States alone, and headache symptoms typically appear in the days following an incident. The intensity of a post-traumatic headache can be mild, moderate, or severe, and some patients may experience unsteadiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, memory problems, depression, and other debilitating symptoms.
Sinus headaches, which are typically caused by an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis), often present as throbbing pain or pressure below, between, or above the eyes.
Common Forms of Headache
Common Causes
Alcohol and drugs, including some prescription medications
Anxiety, stress, and depression
Menstruation, menopause, and hormonal disruptions
Pregnancy and postpartum conditions
Insomnia and sleep problems, including oversleeping
Dehydration, hunger, malnutrition, or certain foods and beverages
Substance withdrawal, especially the elimination of caffeine
Overexertion and excess physical exercise
Teeth clenching or grinding
Exposure to strong smells, sounds, or visual stimuli
Changes in the environment or weather, including seasonal affective disorder
Common Symptoms
Pain in one or multiple areas of the skull or around the eyes
Watering eyes, congestion, or sensations of pressure in the face or sinuses
Heightened sensitivity to bright light, loud noise, or strong odors
Nausea and vomiting
Referred pain in the face, neck, or shoulders
Fatigue or exhaustion following an attack
Neurological issues such as dizziness, numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or vertigo
Disturbances in the visual field, including flashing, pulsing, or zigzagging lights, halos, or blind spots