Headaches - How Acupuncture Helps

 If you suffer from headaches, you are not alone. Over 50 million of us experience some form of a severe headache at some point in our lives. Whether you experience minor head pain or severe migraines, headaches can take valuable time out of your day and your life, and leave you searching for relief.

Many seek relief by reaching for drugs and other medications. This may work temporarily and can help you get out of pain fast. Unfortunately, common headache medications do not address the root cause(s), and when used over long periods of time can cause unwanted side effects.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a safe and effective approach to relieving headache pain without causing harmful side effects. These healing modalities provide a comprehensive diagnostic protocol that can help your acupuncturist understand and address the root cause(s) of your headaches.

Causes of Headaches: There are many factors in TCM theory that may play a key role in the root cause(s) of a headache. These include body constitution, emotional health, excessive work, social activities and exercise, improper diet, physical trauma and hormones. Headaches can also be diagnosed according to specific symptoms, times of occurrence, location, type of pain, and triggers.

A natural path to relief: Acupuncture and TCM take a holistic, or whole-body approach to health. Your practitioner will take a detailed health history, and perform a physical exam to determine how and why your body's vital energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), is out of balance and identify what type of headache you are experiencing.

To determine the most effective care, he/she will focus on illuminating the root cause(s) of the problem. 

It is important to remember that acupuncture is not a quick fix. Changes may occur quickly or over a longer period of time, depending upon your overall constitution and health. Whether it is one visit to address an acute problem, or several visits to address a chronic problem, it is suggested to closely follow care recommendations of your acupuncturist to maximize your healing potential.

Below are a few ways that you can make simple lifestyle changes that may help alleviate or even prevent headaches: 

Track your triggers - Try to keep track of when your headaches start. Migraine sufferers may find it especially helpful to keep a diary of symptoms. Certain types of foods and hormonal changes can be possible causes.

Stress relief - Stress can contribute to many types of health concerns, including headaches. Talk to your practitioner about healthy ways to handle stress.

Exercise - Physical activity is an important part of any healthy lifestyle and is a great antidote for stress.

Healthy habits - Do your best to eat healthy, organic foods, stay hydrated and get enough sleep every night.

Acupuncture care - is extremely effective in reducing the frequency and severity of many types of painful conditions, including headaches and migraines, naturally.

By working with your acupuncturist and adopting some simple lifestyle changes, you will be on your way toward a healthier, happier, pain-free life.
 

What Almost all of us have had a headache at one point in our lives. In fact 5-10% of the US population seeks medical help for their headaches. Most headaches are caused by either muscle tension or temporary changes in blood circulation in the brain.

Common triggers for the muscle tension that can lead to these headaches are stress, joint misalignment in the neck or jaw, emotional factors, and poor posture. Triggers for headaches caused by changes in blood flow are often food allergies, poor blood sugar regulation, fatigue, hormonal changes, alcohol, chemicals, and toxins.

Naturopaths often use the application of hot and cold water to change blood flow and release muscle tension. The following can help to relieve headaches whether they are of muscular or vascular origin.

•  2 small towels
  
•  2 basins or large bowls
  
•  1 ice pack or tray of ice cubes
  
•  water
  
  Migraine Headache
  
  Fill one basin with ice water and the other with hot tap water (no greater than 114degrees F). Soak one towel in the ice water. Wring out the towel from the ice water and place on the back of the neck while soaking the feet in the basin of hot tap water. Leave for 20 minutes. If this does not bring relief then soak one towel in the hot water. Place the hot wrung towel on the back of the neck and soak the feet in the basin of iced water for 20 minutes.
  
  Tension Headache
  
  Fill one basin with ice water and one basin with hot tap water (no greater than 114degrees F). Soak one towel in each basin. Wring out hot towel and place on the back of the neck for 3 minutes. Remove this towel and replace it with the iced towel for 30seconds. Repeat the hot and cold applications three times each.
  
  Sinus Headache
  
  Use the same process as for tension headache but place the wrung towels over the sinuses rather than on the back of the neck.
   

Recipe Corner  

Kale Chips Good for Preventing Headaches

Kale Chips

• These crispy, crunchy chips are great way to get your family to eat a powerhouse veggie. Words of warning - they're incredibly addictive!

• These chips are good for:

• Bone Health, Type 2 Diabetes, Eye Health
• Arthritis, Skin, PMS
• Memory, IBS, Heart Health
• Celiac Disease, Migraines, Teeth
• Cancer Prevention

• Pre Time: 5 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes

   

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 large bunch kale
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Oil Spray

This recipe makes 4 servings

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat the oven to 400?F. Coat two large baking sheets with oil spray. (The chips will be crispiest if baked directly on the baking sheet, without aluminum foil.)

2. Trim the stem ends off the kale and cut or tear the leaves into 2-inch pieces.

3. Divide the kale pieces between the two baking sheets and spread them into a single, even layer. Liberally mist the kale with oil spray and lightly sprinkle with salt.

COOKING: 

1. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the kale is crispy to the touch and the edges are beginning to brown.