A migraine is a throbbing headache that can cause light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Auras or visual disturbances, such as flashes of light, are also experienced by some people.
Migraines are distinguished from headaches by the intensity of the pain, which is usually centred on one side of the head. Learn what causes migraines, what triggers them, and how acupuncture for migraine can be highly effective. Natural migraine relief allows you to live your life to the fullest.
What Causes Migraine
Research has been conducted on migraines, but the exact cause has yet to be determined. However, hormonal changes and nerve signalling are thought to influence blood vessels in the brain and how the body responds to pain.
When blood vessels in the brain dilate (widen), more blood and oxygen flow to the brain, causing prostaglandins to be released. Prostaglandins are responsible for regulating pain and inflammation in the body; high levels of prostaglandins can cause pain.
Estrogen regulates the chemicals in your brain that control pain sensation. Due to a drop in estrogen levels, some women may experience migraines around the time of their period.
What Triggers Migraine
- Hormonal medications such as oral contraceptives can aggravate migraines as well. However, some women report that taking these medications makes their migraines less frequent.
- Drinks: These include alcohol, particularly wine, and excessive caffeine consumption, such as coffee.
- Stress: Migraines may be triggered by stress at work or home.
- Stimuli to the senses. Bright or flashing lights, as well as loud sounds, can cause migraines. Strong odours, such as perfume, paint thinner, and secondhand smoke can cause migraines in some people.
- Lack of sleep: Some people can get migraines from not sleeping enough or sleeping too much.
- Weather changes can also trigger a migraine. The pressure changes brought on by storms, “heavy” grey days, and high humidity has been attached to chemical brain changes that can aggravate nerves and worsen inflammation.
How Does Acupuncture Relieve Headaches?
Acupuncture for migraine is an extremely effective treatment because it stimulates nerves and pressure points in the body, relieving symptoms. An acupuncturist will insert thin, tiny needles along pressure points to restore body balance.
Acupuncture helps to-
- Reduce neck tightness by inserting needles into trigger points where muscles are constricted.
- Endorphins that reduce pain and create feelings of well-being are stimulated.
- Encourage proper blood circulation by reducing inflammation and modulating brain chemicals that control blood vessel constriction and dilation. Migraine symptoms are relieved when blood vessels constrict (narrow).
- Help reduce stress levels by regulating hormone levels Cortisol, serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine are hormones that play a role in how the body reacts to stress; when these hormones are balanced, your body adapts to stress more efficiently. The onset of migraines has been linked to a serotonin imbalance in the brain.
- Improve immune function, which aids in the regulation of inflammation and prostaglandin production (pain-promoting hormones).
Acupuncture can be very helpful in the treatment of migraines. The number of acupuncture sessions you’ll need is determined by your personal constitution, medical history, the severity and frequency of your migraines, and how quickly your body responds to the treatment.