Headaches
Tension headaches affect almost everyone at some point during their lives, and migraines strike up to 17% of the population.
What are headaches and migraines?
Although people use the terms interchangeably, headaches and migraines are two separate medical conditions with varying symptoms that affect everyone differently.
Headache
Headaches cause achiness or dull pressure on both sides of the head. They’re usually caused by tension and don’t have any accompanying symptoms.
Migraine
Migraines are intense throbbing headaches with accompanying symptoms like aura, tingling, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, or nausea and vomiting. Migraines tend to affect just one side of the head and interfere with daily functioning.
What causes migraines?
The scientific community still has a lot to learn about the cause of migraines, but it’s theorized that people with these conditions inherit sensitive nervous systems. Changes in internal and external environments, like hormones and weather, seem to trigger migraines.
Nervous system sensitivity also seems to affect serotonin metabolism. Serotonin levels drop during a migraine and return to normal afterward.
How do you treat migraines and headaches?
The process begins with a thorough intake exam and sometimes laboratory testing to identify any underlying factors that could be contributing to headaches or migraines. From there, we create a treatment plan for you which might include acupuncture, functional medicine testing and treatments, and Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese herbal medicine
Herbal medicines with analgesic (painkilling), vasodilating (blood vessel dilating), and stress-reducing properties treat migraines and headaches at the source.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture stimulates serotonin and dopamine release to counteract the serotonin drop that happens during migraines. The treatment also helps stabilize the nervous system and lower your body’s stress response to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of headaches.
Massage, relaxation techniques, and other soothing activities may help reduce the stress-related causes of headaches and migraines. Family Acupuncture & Wellness can help you identify your headache triggers, offer preventive advice, and implement a treatment program that treats the cause of your pain.
If you’re looking for a new way to treat your migraines or headaches, contact us online or over the phone for a consultation.
Hear From Our Patients
I had terrible TMJ pain for months. The doctor told me to take several Ibuprophen per day and put a hot compress on my jaw. Instead, I chose acupuncture and I am glad I did. After 6 treatments my pain is gone. I would recommend Family Acupuncture to anyone suffering from TMJ pain.
-Shari
I have suffered from migraines for the past 8 years and tried every prescription medication to manage and combat the pain. I finally decided to try acupuncture after a friend shared with me that it had worked successfully for her in managing her headaches. I started seeing Adam Learner in August of 2007. I started with twice weekly appointments and gradually have found that seeing Adam or Betsy about once every 3-4 weeks is what it takes to keep my migraines under control. I am happy to say that over the last year since I started acupuncture I have only experienced maybe 4-5 total very mild migraines. I used to suffer at least one moderate to severe migraine per month. As a bonus the acupuncture also strengthened my immune system and I didn’t catch a single bad cold last winter at all which was a wonderful side effect of the treatments. I would recommend Adam and Betys, and acupuncture to my friends and family without hesitation.
-Kristin, Rochester, NH
