Acupuncture for the relief of headache and migraine

Drug free relief for headache sufferers

Acupuncture for the relief of headache and migraine. First up, what constitutes a headache? Headaches are pain in the head or face, often times either throbbing or constant. A headache can be one of many types & caused by many things; stress, fatigue, hunger, dehydration, sinus issues or hormone imbalances. In Western medicine, treatment for headaches include taking pain killers (analgesics), rest, external application of heat or cold, lifestyle changes or stress reduction methods.

Amongst other types of headaches, tension headaches are when you experience constant pressure or tension in your forehead, back of the neck or even your shoulders.
Migraines are severe headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light & sounds.
Cluster headaches are sharp, burning & feel like you have something stabbing you in the eye, they occur for multiple days, off & on, & can last up to 3 hours at a time.
You may also experience a red or weepy eye, drooping or swollen eyelid, a runny or blocked nose & facial sweating. 

If you have a sudden severe headache, or if your headache occurs with vomiting, neck stiffness, confusion, slurred speech, fever or changes to your vision, go to your nearest hospital emergency service.

If you have ongoing issues with headaches it is recommended to see your Doctor to find out what is the cause of your headaches. They will ask you many questions about where the headaches are, what circumstances surround your headaches are, & may even result in the Dr ordering blood tests & medical imaging, especially if your headaches are protracted, occur frequently, or even come about after a serious blow to your head.  

Headaches according to Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine we take not just the symptoms of your headache into consideration, but the location as well. Just like in Modern Medicine, our role is to discover the cause of your headaches and not just treat the symptoms and in that way, we’re not JUST using acupuncture for the relief of headache and migraine, our intention is to ultimately resolve what’s contributing to them in the first instance.

Types of headaches according to TCM;

Headache that ois located at the back of your head & neck & is felt like a tightness rather than a sharp pain, this represents the Tai Yang & is often associated with stress, poor posture & muscle tension. 

Yang Ming headaches are on the forehead, & often associated with sinus issues, dizziness, vertigo & stomach complaints. 

Shao Yang headaches are generally experienced by pounding or throbbing pain that is one sided, around the eye & temple/side of the head. These are typically migraines or cluster headaches. They can also be associated with nausea & vomiting. Shao yin headaches are generally felt deep inside the head, & has sensation of almost being empty headed, they are often associated with significant fatigue & insomnia.

Jueyin Headaches are often felt at the top of the head or around the eye, & is dull in nature, without symptoms of being tense or throbbing pain. You can often feel dizzy & nauseated, without the ability to vomit.

Shao Yin headache often occur with deep, chronic pain, often affecting the whole head, accompanied by exhaustion, low back pain & feeling cold.

Tai Yin headaches are experienced as a dull throbbing pain at the top of the head, often alongside by dizziness, blurred vision & a feeling of emptiness.  

What does the research say?

The research is overwhelmingly positive in the search for non opioid alternatives for chronic headache sufferers. Acupuncture presents as a suitable option for pain relief for headaches and even migraines. Not only does it reduce the length & severity but also improves the overall quality of life of a patient by reducing the debilitating symptoms as well as reducing the need for further analgesia.
Take a look at the below article for more evidence supporting acupuncture’s efficacy for Headache HERE…https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11810648/

Migraine resources & research

And also as referred to by Migraine Australia as a suitable treatment option for those wishing to discover a drug free treatment option – pain relief with out the sedation and days off… https://www.migraine.org.au/acupunctur

Curious as to how Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine can support your headaches or migraine pain? Every persons experience health history is different and it is our firm belief that a holistic approach using Acupuncture for Perth people in pain is valuable for every patient in our community.