Out of all the conditions that I commonly treat with acupuncture, migraines are the most disruptive to my patients' lives. Often, they start with some kind of visual disturbance like halos or sensitivity to light. The pain is severe, throbbing and usually one sided. Too often, the only thing that helps is to get into a dark room wait it out.
You don't have to live them!
Medications and other drugs can be a major cause. Even the medications that treat migraines can cause another headache to come on afterward. Stop all nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol. Ask your doctor if you can stop taking your prescriptions for a few weeks to see if the headaches improve. Food sensitivities are another likely culprit. The most common are fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, nuts, alcohol, and chocolate. Consider avoiding these completely for a couple weeks. If the headaches don't get better a more strict food elimination diet might be worthwhile. You'll want to have the guidance of medical provider that has experience with this.
Stress is a huge trigger. We all have it but if it is causing health problems like headaches, it's time to get it under control. The best thing to do is make changes in your life that make you happier. Exercise is a great stress relief. You should be averaging 20 minutes every day. Yoga and meditation are some of my favorite stress relievers. Take time for yourself every day to relax without too many interruptions. Here is a great link to some online relaxation exercises.
If the migraines continue to be a problem try acupuncture. We'll come up with a treatment plan to help you with your headaches and improve your overall health. Most of my patients come in about once a week and start to see improvements within their first few sessions. The best part is that after a full course of treatment, the results are usually long term or even permanent.
If you want to find out more about acupuncture. Call the office today to schedule a free consultation.
Acupuncture of West Michigan
www.wmacupuncture.com
616.855.7718
