How Does Migraine Acupuncture Help
Migraine is a type of headache that is usually accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. It can cause mild to severe throbbing pain or pulsing sensation usually on one side of the head. It can affect and disrupt the daily life of a person and the pain could last from a few hours to even days.
Did you know that there are four phases of migraines? The first phase is prodrome, and then aura which is a warning symptom for migraines, next is the attack/headache itself and the post-drome. Since migraines can affect both children and adults, not everyone can experience all stages, and some might only suffer mild pain.
Migraine is a common disease and the exact cause is unknown. However, it can be triggered by several factors including dietary, environmental, physiological, emotional, hormonal, and physical elements that can affect nerve signals and blood vessels in the brain which in turn, causes it to experience a temporary abnormal brain activity.
Most people experiencing migraines, even milder ones would automatically reach for those over-the-counter painkillers to get rid of the pain. Though this might be ideal for a one-time migraine attack, more frequent episodes would mean taking more drugs to ease the pain which can, in turn, trigger medication overuse headaches, and other side effects from drug dependency. Check out Acupuncture Broomfield on a safer way to treat migraines.
There are several at-home or natural remedies for reducing migraine symptoms that are drug-free and can help people who have onset mild migraine attacks. Here are some of those natural remedies which could help reduce the severity and duration of a migraine attack:
1. Do yoga or any stress management activities
According to studies, most migraines are caused by stress which is a biological and psychological response of our bodies when we encounter a certain stimulus or threat. As stress is sometimes inevitable, learning how to manage it would be beneficial in reducing the possibility of a migraine attack.
If you experience something stressful, learn to take deep breaths and meditate to keep your mind and body relaxed for you to be able to go through that stressful experience. Listening to relaxing music might also help to save a good relaxation music playlist on your phone. When you’re feeling stressed, migraine acupuncture can also help.
2. Maintain a healthy diet and avoid certain foods
As mentioned earlier, migraines can be triggered by your diet and certain foods and beverages can cause your migraine to act up. If you have an onset migraine attack, it is best to avoid processed foods and stick with whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Also, consumption of alcohol is not ideal and could worsen the symptoms. Also, you can keep a migraine journal with you and list down foods that you consumed that triggered your migraine so you can avoid it in the future.
3. Apply an either cold or warm compress
Some people have certain preferences when it comes to applying a compress during migraine attacks. Many would prefer a cold compress as the cold has a certain numbing effect that blocks the pain. Some would choose a warm compress since the idea of heat therapy to relax tense muscles is more appealing. Either way, both methods can ease the pain brought about by migraine attacks.
4. Try migraine acupuncture
Acupuncture has been proven to be as effective as most medications used to treat migraines. It is also safe and has more long-lasting effects for patients experiencing onset migraine attacks. Since acupuncture is a practice that only uses thin needles inserted at certain points of the body, it is a drug-free way of reducing migraine symptoms. It can even help in your overall health and get rid of other chronic pain in your body. Ask experts in Acupuncture Broomfield how you can start managing your migraine symptoms more holistically.
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