Acupuncture for Migraines

More than 39 million people in America struggle with migraines headaches. Symptoms of migraines are quite intense, with sufferers experiencing debilitating headaches in addition to nausea, vomiting, and/or extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Unfortunately, traditional migraine treatments aren’t always enough to manage the headache pain and other symptoms. Migraine medications also typically come with unwanted side effects such as nausea, fatigue, depression, drowsiness, dizziness, tingling, dry mouth, hair loss, confusion, shakiness, weight changes, difficulty concentrating, and other negative effects. 

The good news: Many migraine sufferers find relief from acupuncture!

Research on acupuncture for migraines has found that this ancient healing modality successfully reduced the frequency of headaches by roughly 50% in migraine sufferers. In some cases, acupuncture can even prevent migraines from happening in the first place, which can be a major quality of life improvement for people struggling with them. The World Health Organization as well as the American Migraine Foundation recognize the value of acupuncture for migraines, as do countless patients. 

To understand how acupuncture helps migraine sufferers, you first have to understand that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), migraines are believed to arise from an imbalance in the flow of blood and energy. Thus, in order to treat your migraine headaches, your acupuncturist must relieve the tension by inserting needles into specific points on the body to improve blood flow to the brain. This in turn reduces the pain experienced during a migraine attack.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny, hair-thin needles to promote balance. In particular, acupuncture helps the body balance serotonin levels, which affects blood vessels and mood in addition to playing a role in migraines. Acupuncture also promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. 

The best part? There are no side effects and acupuncture is virtually painless!

Acupuncture has been practiced in China for over 2,000 years. Although it has only been used in the United States for a fraction of that time, decades, it has already made quite the impact. Clinical studies have shown how effective it can be to treat chronic conditions including migraines, insomnia, pain, anxiety, and other issues. Additionally, acupuncture is scientifically supported for the treatment of a number of issues, including pain management, stress, digestion, sleep, pain – and migraine headaches. 

If you are struggling with migraines, be sure to check if acupuncture is covered by your insurance. Many insurance providers cover all or part of the cost of acupuncture treatments. Click here to verify your benefits!

Schedule an acupuncture appointment now!