Migraines, it’s easy to not take them seriously because its not a visible symptom but they can have a bigger impact than meets the eye!
Migraines can feel like a never-ending battle – forcing you to either avoid the activities you love or be stopped in your tracks from the severe pain and debilitating symptoms. Tasks that should be simple feel impossible, and the impact can span career, social, and both physical and mental health.
What are Migraines and do I have them?
Migraines are intense, recurrent headaches that may come with a few other unpleasant symptoms. They often arise due to genetics, lifestyle, habits, external stressors, and sensitivities. Theories include an electrophysiological hyperactivity followed by a wave of vascular constriction, inflammatory changes in the brain’s outer membranes, and a hyper-sensitisation of sensory nerves.
Migraine headaches may include but are not limited to the following symptoms:
Symptoms of Migraines
- one-sided headaches
- bilateral headaches
- throbbing, pulsing pain
- intensifies over time
- sharp pinpoint pain
- pain into eye
- nausea / vomiting
- light/noise/smell sensitivity
- visual disturbances
- limb numbness
- prodrome (mood swings, neck stiffness, or cravings leading up to a migraine)
- aura (flashing lights, zigzag, tingling sensations)
- postdrome (post-migraine drained/achy/foggy feeling)
They are not just “bad headaches”— they are a neurological condition with a range of triggers and factors. Everyone’s triggers are different and in traditional Chinese medicine, the root cause of your migraines are also likely different. This makes migraines a highly personal challenge and asks treatment to have a personalised and multi-faceted approach.
Common triggers of Migraines
- high stress or anxiety
- menstruation
- fasting
- weather (winds/altitude)
- too much/little sleep
- certain foods
- nitrates
- obesity
- neck tightness/pain
- squinting + eyebrow tension
- heat
- sexual activity
- alcohol
- smoke
- exercise
- caffeine intake/withdrawal
- bright lights/loud noises/strong odours
- MSG
How do I prevent or alleviate my migraines?
Many people find relief in dark quiet environments, aspirin, sleep, prescription medications, avoiding triggers, managing stress, and modifying diets.
Acupuncture for migraines not only can relieve symptoms, it also aims to prevent your migraines from happening again. By targeting your personal root cause, acupuncture treatments can work to undo the migraine web that entangles your daily life. By addressing underlying imbalances, acupuncture treatments have an opportunity to work on other life aspects that may also be migraine triggers, such as stress, tension, and sleep. We also look at circulation, nutritional deficiencies, cycles, and organ systems’ functions.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine offers a natural, whole-body approach to managing and preventing migraines. Let’s take back control and improve your quality of life.
– Michelle
