Acupuncture as a Treatment for Headaches

Many individuals suffer from headaches, and often also the more severe form, migraines. Chronic headaches and or migraines can be debilitating, and some patients struggle to find effective treatments for their recurrent headaches. Acupuncture, which is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used in history to treat physical ailments, such as headaches and migraines. Current research on acupuncture is sparce, however, it seems to suggest that it can be used to effectively treat headaches and migraines. Due to its minimal risk, I think that acupuncture is a promising alternative treatment for chronic pain disorders.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture may be used to treat tension headaches, cluster-headaches, post-traumatic headaches, sinus related headaches, pressure headaches, sleep-disorder related headaches and migraines. This is based off their philosophy that the body exists in homeostasis and in order to treat a physical or mental aliment it is important to discover the root of the imbalance. I believe that this philosophy should be applied to more modern medicine practices which often focus on treating symptoms as opposed to root cause. According to TCM, acupuncture can be used to relieve tension and retore a healthy vital energy flow, or Qi, which is essential for good physical and mental health. As modern medicine does not always work to treat chronic pain conditions such as persistent headaches and migraines, acupuncture is a well sought out alternative treatment.

Acupuncture may not benefit all suffers of persistent headaches or migraines and as such it is important to consult with a physician if interested in this treatment and to find a licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture is primarily used to treat migraines and headaches caused by tension. As acupuncture generally involves the insertion of a thin needles into specific zones in the body to invoke an endorphin response that promotes healing, there are acupuncture treatment plans designed to relieve the pain caused by tension headaches and migraines. Often an individual requires multiple treatments, and those suffering with chronic pain may receive treatment indefinitely. When done by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture is an alternative with little risk, and current research on acupuncture as a suitable treatment for headaches and migraines is promising.

I hope this blog was informative to anyone interested in acupuncture as an alternative treatment for persistent headaches or migraines. TCM has incorporated acupuncture as a treatment for chronic pain disorders for eons, suggesting that this treatment can both relieve and prevent chronic pain disorders. Although there is a dire need for increased research into the benefits of alternative medicinal practices such as acupuncture, current research is promising and suggests that acupuncture can be used to relieve pain caused from tension headaches and migraines. Always consult with a physician if interested in receiving acupuncture as a treatment even though this procedure generally poses no risk to an individual when done by a licensed acupuncturist. This treatment has brought relief to many sufferers of persistent headaches and migraines, and I hope as more research is invested into alternative medicine, the more we will understand why acupuncture has been so effective at treating chronic pain.