Recently I have seen some increases in migraine patients at our clinic.
Migraines are a debilitating condition that affect millions of people worldwide. For some, the intensity of migraines can be so severe that it disrupts their daily life, making even simple tasks feel impossible. Migraines affect more women than men, and many patients I have seen have experienced increased severity of migraines around their period or when their stress levels go up. While conventional treatments like Botox and pain management strategies are often used, acupuncture has gained recognition as a powerful alternative, particularly for those whose migraines are related to muscle tension, sinus issues, or hormonal changes. Some patients were referred to me by neurologists because their migraines were so severe even repetitive Botox shots were ineffective, and acupuncture treatment has helped their symptoms.
Understanding Migraines: Causes and Conventional Treatments
Migraines are a complex condition with various triggers, including stress, hormonal changes, muscle tension, sinus pressure, and even infections. Many people begin to experience migraines in their teens or early adulthood, with symptoms often intensifying during stressful periods or hormonal fluctuations, such as menstruation or menopause.
In addition to Botox, neurologists and pain management clinics often recommend a combination of exercise, proper nutrition, and lifestyle changes to help manage migraines. These strategies aim to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote overall well-being, which can significantly decrease the frequency and severity of migraines for some individuals.
However, not all migraines are caused by muscle tension, some muscle tension does not easily subside with Botox or exercise. Some tension could be linked to sinus pressure, ear infections, or inflammation in the head, which can be more challenging to treat with conventional methods. In these cases, patients may seek alternative therapies like acupuncture.
The Role of Acupuncture in Migraine Relief
Acupuncture is a holistic approach to migraine relief, particularly for those who have not found success with conventional treatments. The practice involves inserting thin acupuncture needles (1/100 thinner than the vaccine needles) into specific points on the body to restore balance, alleviate pain, and promote healing.
Acupuncture works by reducing inflammation, relieving muscle tension, improving circulation, and restoring balance. For those whose migraines are triggered by sinus pressure or infections, acupuncture can help alleviate these symptoms by reducing inflammation and promoting drainage. By addressing the underlying causes of migraines, acupuncture offers a more comprehensive approach to pain management.
Acupuncture for Migraine-Related Symptoms
Migraines often come with a range of related symptoms, including visual sensitivity, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating these symptoms as well, offering relief from the overall discomfort that migraines can cause.
For example, acupuncture can help reduce dizziness and visual sensitivity by improving circulation and relieving pressure in the head and sinuses. It can also alleviate nausea by addressing underlying digestive issues, making it a valuable tool in managing the full spectrum of migraine-related symptoms.
Case study:
Female, 36, with migraines 2-4 times/week, pain severity is an 8/10 and starts from the eyes and radiates towards the back of the scalp and occipital area, accompanied by tinnitus, vertigo and nausea. Migraines started after COVID 2 years ago. Patient also has an irregular period.
Patient has repetitive Botox shots to her neck and shoulder muscles, the migraine severity decreasing slightly after Botox, but still severe enough that the patient needs to lie in bed for 24 hours until the pain reduces to a level that she can get up again. Referred to our clinic by a neurologist.
The first acupuncture treatment released occipital muscle tension, making her tinnitus and vertigo less severe.
The second round of treatments relaxed the abdominal muscles and her periods were more regular. At that point, the pain level of the migraines also lowered to about 6/10, and the patient could get out of bed and do things while having the migraines. This is a significant improvement for the patient’s life quality.
The following treatments lowered the frequency of the migraines from 2-4x/week to 1x/week, and sometimes 1 week without migraine.
With these improvements, the condition started to stabilize, and continued to lower both the pain level and frequency of migraines with follow up treatments.
At this point, patients typically can maintain migraine-free for 1-3 weeks without treatment, and when migraines start, the pain is only on the occipital area, no longer from the back of eyes. The pain level usually is 3-4/10 and the patient can go on with her daily life without too many issues.
Conclusion:
For those suffering from migraines, particularly when conventional treatments have failed, acupuncture offers a promising alternative. By targeting the root causes of migraines—whether they stem from muscle tension, TMJ problems, sinus pressure, or hormonal changes—acupuncture can provide relief from both the pain and the associated symptoms. Whether used alone or alongside other treatments like Botox, acupuncture is a powerful tool in the fight against migraines, offering hope to those who have struggled to find effective relief.
