How Potent Is Acupuncture For Treatment Of Headache And Migraine?

How potent is Acupuncture for the treatment of Headaches and Migraines?

Daily headaches are a persistent problem that affects around 5% of the Indian population. There are plenty of medications available in the market that claim to cure headaches and migraines. The effect is insignificant in the long-run. Acupuncture is commonly prescribed by physicians as an alternate way of treating migraine and headaches.

Factors that trigger headaches/migraine -

Headaches are a shockingly common ailment. Irrespective of age, sex, weight it affects us all. A World Health Organization report says that more than half the population of the world experience headaches at some point of the year.

• Around 90% of the population suffers from a tension headache. Other factors that may lead to a headache include lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, hypertension, sinus etc. A headache that results from hypertension normally affects the sides of your head or the temple regions.
• In more serious conditions, headaches are triggered by some other causes like a brain tumour, a blood clot in the brain, dehydration, glaucoma or influenza.
• Migraines are the most aggressive and complex form of a headache, characterized by intense headaches. Researchers believe that the cause of a migraine is due to changes in the nerve pathways and brainstem.

  Genetic and environmental factors may also induce migraine attacks that can last for over 4 hours.

  Mostly pain medication is prescribed for relieving headaches. But pain medication comes with a plethora of side effects like constipation, nausea, heart and kidney problems. Acupuncture is a safe and secure practice and you do not have to fear any side effects wreaking havoc with your health.

  What is acupuncture?

  Acupuncture is a medical practice that originated in China almost 8000 years ago. In acupuncture, hair-thin needles are inserted at or heat is applied to pressure points. Acupuncture releases our body's natural vital energy by unclogging the blockages in the path of 'chi'(energy).

  Based on the symptoms of a headache, an acupuncturist inserts needles. This is a risk-free procedure when performed by an acupuncturist who is licensed.

  How can Acupuncture fight headaches?

• When the needles are inserted in pressure points, certain nerves are stimulated which triggers the secretion of endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins make our brain perceive less pain. It can reduce the spread of the electrical wave in our brain that causes a migraine.
• If a headache is caused by inflammation in the brain, then acupuncture can help reduce the swelling by prompting immune-modulatory secretions.
• Most importantly, acupuncture increases blood flow, which is the best way to cure headaches.

Experts in the medical field believe that six treatment sessions are required for the benefits of acupuncture to kick in. Keeping in mind the high rate of success, more and more doctors are asking their patients to undergo acupuncture for the treatment of headaches and migraines.