Acupuncture has been found to treat headaches and migraines

You must be familiar with a treatment that uses needle prickles in the body. Yes, acupuncture techniques. Even though it sounds scary, this traditional Chinese medicine technique does not cause pain, so it is often an alternative choice for treating a number of ailments. A recent study found that one of the benefits of acupuncture is that it helps with headaches and migraines.

Acupuncture technique is reported to prevent migraine recurrence

Acupuncture techniques are reported to reduce the frequency of migraines and headaches within a month, quoted from the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The study involved nearly 500 adults who were treated with the acupuncture technique by inserting acupuncture needles into non-specific points on the body. However, participants were previously unaware of the type of acupuncture treatment they received during the four weeks of the study.

At the start of the study, most participants experienced migraines for an average of six days a month. After undergoing the acupuncture technique until the end of the study, participants reported that the frequency of their migraines had decreased to three times a month.

These amazing results are similar to other studies reported by the American Migraine Foundation which found that acupuncture can reduce the frequency of headaches by up to 50-59 percent. In fact, these effects can last more than six months and may have the same effect as taking migraine medications.

So, how can acupuncture treat headaches and migraines?

Acupuncture treatment technique uses the principle of maintaining the flow of energy (which is called qi) in order to stay balanced along the meridians. This principle can then eliminate negative energy as a cause of pain in the body.

When you do acupuncture, your body will be divided into pressure points where the acupuncture needles are located. These needle points are usually located near the nerves in your body, which are along the back and neck where the pain is blocked. Then, you will be given manual stimulation or a gentle electric current through the needle. This stimulation will trigger the nerves to release endorphins that trigger a response from the body.

Meanwhile, migraine is a disturbance in the flow of electricity in the cerebrum that affects blood vessels and causes neurogenic inflammation. The acupuncture technique releases endorphins and activates nerves in the brain that are responsible for reducing pain. In addition, inflammation that occurs around the head also decreases due to the release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors, thereby promoting blood flow to the head.

Even so, be aware of the side effects and risks of acupuncture

A clinical trial recommends acupuncture treatment twice a week for two weeks to relieve headaches and migraines. Even though it has been done by a certified practitioner, acupuncture side effects may occur, especially if this is your first time undergoing acupuncture.

Some of these side effects include slight bruising, pain, or feeling tired. In addition, acupuncture can pose a very serious health risk or infection if it is performed with non-sterile equipment. Therefore, make sure the needles used are still sterile and new.

You can also complement your headache and migraine relief with other preventive measures. One of them is to use lavender oil which is proven to be effective and safe for dealing with headaches. In addition, people with migraine complaints are often advised to adopt regular exercise. The reason is, exercise can improve blood circulation in the body, relieve stress, and increase lung capacity.