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Acupuncture for migraine

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migraine1If you suffer from migraines, you will know how disabling these headaches can be, especially if they happen frequently. Many sufferers find migraines very disruptive to work and free time — it’s not often convenient to take the evasive action they call for, like lying in a darkened room. However, Western pharmacological treatment often does not bring the results hoped for or causes side-effects. In addition, overuse of painkillers can actually worsen the severity and frequency of headaches (“medication overuse headaches”), and this has recently been recognized as a huge problem.

The good news is that acupuncture can be very effective in treating migraines. A 2009 Cochrane review (an overview of many studies, 22 in this case) found acupuncture to be effective in treating this type of headache. In fact, the studies in this review that compared acupuncture to drug therapy found acupuncture to have better results with fewer side effects. Interestingly, the studies also suggest that acupuncture that does not penetrate the skin (similar to many Japanese techniques in which the needles are inserted only a couple of millimeters), was just as effective as stronger forms of acupuncture.

This is great news for migraine sufferers. Traditional Chinese Medicine is deeply rooted in ancient philosophy, and while reports of the effectiveness of acupuncture date back 200 years, it’s comforting to note that modern research is confirming these clinical observations.

 

Are you a Migraine/Headache sufferer?

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MeditatingA New Study Shows Acupuncture to be More Effective than Western Medication.

Migraines are a major health and disability problem and are one of the main reasons headache patients will visit a doctor for treatment. A recent survey of migraine patients found Western pharmacological treatment options to be unsatisfactory in their results. Latest studies have shown that Acupuncture has been found to be more effective for treating and preventing migraines than most Western medications.

Frequency of migraines can range from daily headaches to once/month. The symptoms, occurrence and cause of migraines vary widely between each case and it is quite common for patients to be prescribed incorrect medication. This is a serious concern that is linked to development of chronic daily headaches. Interestingly, patients who have received preventative Western medication often report using more over the counter painkillers than those not receiving any preventative medication.

Acupuncture is a safe, effective and pain free alternative to medication. A recent Cochrane systematic review found Acupuncture to be as effective, or possibly more effective than preventative migraine medication. These results were demonstrated through a number of small and large scale randomised trials. Researchers were met with positive results, agreeing that Acupuncture was more superior than the only evidence-based, oral drug for treating chronic migraines. This is great news for migraine sufferers and also practitioners of Acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine is deeply rooted in ancient philosophy whilst always results driven. Although reports of Acupunctures’ efficacy dates back 2000 years, it’s comforting to note that modern, evidence based research is confirming these clinical observations.

 

Chiropractic for Headaches

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Chiropractic HeadacheChiropractic is an ideal alternative therapy that works not only to relieve headache pain but to also restore normal functioning to the nervous system and spine. Please read on for more information.

 

What is a Headache?

A headache is when someone feels pain or discomfort in the head and/or face. It is a symptom of many different conditions, and physiologically may be caused by a disruption to pain-sensitivity structures in the head.

Headaches may be classified as either primary or secondary. Primary headaches develop on their own, whereas secondary headaches develop as a symptom of another disease, condition or illness.

 

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is an alternative form of medicine that aims to diagnose, treat and prevent mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system via manipulation and realignment of the spine and other bodily structures.

 

How Does Chiropractic Help Alleviate Headaches?

Most good chiropractors employ the use of physical, orthopedic and neurological tests to pinpoint potential causes of the headache. The practitioner will then use spinal manipulation to treat the headache, thus:

  • Improving spinal alignment.
  • Reducing nerve irritation.
  • Reducing muscle tension.
  • Improving blood flow and circulation.

A chiropractor may aim to reduce headache symptoms with massage and Trigger Point Therapy, and may even use x-ray to determine whether abnormal positioning of the shoulder and neck are causing the headaches. They may also recommend a suitable lifestyle plan including relaxation techniques, daily stretches, changes in posture and other exercises.

 

Chiropractic and Tension Headaches

Tension headaches result from muscular tension in the head, neck and shoulders. This tension ultimately leads to changes in normal posture and movement in order to compensate, which itself results in even more muscular tension, thus creating a vicious cycle that causes an increasingly painful headache.

Chiropractic aims to resolve and break the vicious cycle by releasing any muscular tension, and by realigning skeletal structures. Relief is often experienced from tension headaches minutes after Chiropractic treatment, after which muscle tension has eased and nerve irritation has been reduced.

 

Chiropractic and Migraine Headaches

Certain triggers cause a sudden dilation of blood vessels in the head to occur, thus producing a painful migraine.

Recent scientific studies have shown chiropractic may play an important role in treating migraines in its subtle manipulation and realignment of the spine. The adjustments also improve blood flow by reducing any irritation to nerves rooted in the spine which themselves are responsible for vascular system tension control.

If you are interested in trying chiropractic to relieve your headaches, please speak to a professional chiropractor for more information.

 

Can Chiropractic help reduce headaches?

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