Can acupuncture help treat migraines? |
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Yes, acupuncture can help treat migraines. This fact was discovered after study was done comparing it with the conventional medical healthcare treatments. In some cases, it is even capable of preventing it from happening which will ultimately help improve the quality of life for the patient.
Acupuncture has been practiced in the US for more than 20 years. Although tests and studies have shown how effective it can be in the treatment of chronic conditions and certain addictions, more studies still need to be done to find out where else it can be useful. Even though one study has proven that acupuncture can help with migraines, other studies still must be done to prove this is true. But until such time that other results are published, patients will still rely on the conventional medicine as prescribed by a doctor. But the truth is that you don’t have to wait for that to happen, if you think it’s worth a try, just go for it. Ask for a referral from your doctor, as many have accepted the fact that alternative forms of medicine can also help their patients. Or you can find someone online, just make sure they are certified, for that they must be recognized by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. So how does it work? For you to understand how acupuncture can help migraine sufferers, you’ll have to recognize that in traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed that an imbalance in the flow of blood and energy in the body is the cause for illness to happen. In order to treat the migraines, the acupuncturist must relieve the tension. This is accomplished by inserting the thin needles into specific body points to improve the blood flow to the brain consequently reducing the pain experienced during an attack. The needles used will help the body balance its serotonin levels, and since this is a neurotransmitter that affects blood vessels, it has a major role in migraines. But the fact is the more frequent the sessions are the better it will be. It might even come to a point where the specific point of contact is no longer needed but only the general stimulation itself. In the end the result of undergoing acupuncture treatment is amazing. If you have experienced in the past 15 or 20 straight days of agonizing pain, this may be cut down in half. You won’t need to use so much medication as you did before. For those who are employed, this is also a good thing, as they aren’t absent from work as frequently there won’t be that much deductions in their salary. But even though acupuncture does well for one patient, the results may be different with another. This will depend on the condition of the individual and the attack itself. But one of the best features of acupuncture is that there are no side effects and it’s painless. Any skillful professional can do it in a manner so you don’t suffer from hematoma or pneumothorax. With needles another potential danger is HIV or hepatitis which can be prevented of course, providing the needles used in the procedure are properly sterilized. However it will be much safer if the specialist uses disposable needles, just like in any tattoo shop. You should also consider making some lifestyle changes as there are several trigger factors that have been known to cause migraines. Stress is probably the number one on that list, so you’ll need to get enough rest, and do some exercise as well as a balanced diet. Those who suffer from migraine should also check if acupuncture treatments are covered by their HMO. Today most insurance providers and HMO’s cover all or part of the costs, but there may be restrictions so you should check what is covered by your policy. |
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