At some point in your life you may experience some form of headache. Whether you have experienced minor headaches or severe migraines, headaches can take valuable time out of your day and life, and leave you searching for relief. A common way people seek relief is by using over-the-counter pain medications. This may work temporarily and could help bring relief to your pain quickly, but common headache medications do not address the root cause(s) of the headache. Not to mention when used over long periods of time can cause unwanted side effects. It gives me a headache just thinking about the side effects listed on some medications! Picture a scale balancing itself out. One side "Team A" - harmful side effects, expensive, temporary relief" the other, "Team B" - safe, effective approach to relieve pain with no side effects and relief that lasts". Which team are you leaning towards?
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a safe and effective approach to relieving headache pain, without causing harmful side effects. These healing methods 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 Chinese medical theory that may play a key role in the root cause(s) of a headache. These include, but are not limited to, 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.
TRACK YOUR HEADACHE TRIGGERS
Try to keep track of when your headaches start. Migraine sufferers may find it especially helpful to keep a journal 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 acupuncturist about healthy ways to handle stress.
EXERCISE
Physical activity is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, and it is a great antidote to stress.
HEALTHY HABITS
Do your best to eat healthy, organic foods, stay hydrated and get enough sleep every day. Acupuncture care is extremely effective in reducing the frequency and severity of many types of painful conditions, including headaches and migraines. By working with your acupuncturist and adopting some similar lifestyle changes, you will be on your way toward a healthier, happier, pain-free life.
A NATURAL PATH TO RELIEF
Acupuncture is a whole-body approach to healing; it takes a holistic and nurturing approach to healing the body. This is done by carefully inserting fine sterile needles to stimulate important acupuncture meridian points found across the body to bring about homeostasis.
Acupuncture meridian points activate the body's innate healing abilities acupuncturists call Qi (chee). According to TCM, Qi is the vital energy that animates the body and protects it from illness. Qi flows through the pathways called meridians and provides nourishment to the body's cells, tissues, muscles, organs, and glands. When there is an imbalance or blockage in the flow of Qi, symptoms associated with the condition or illness may appear. Acupuncture is just one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are many modalities within TCM that may effectively contribute to restoring the body's natural healing ability.
Most people experience little or no pain when receiving acupuncture - in fact, many people experience a deep sense of relief, relaxation, and find acupuncture helps with their specific symptoms and signs. From a modern scientific perspective, stimulation of acupuncture meridian points causes the release of a multitude of nervous system chemicals in our brain, spinal cord, and muscles that help restore the body's ability to heal naturally.
These chemicals provide tremendous health benefits, whether it is influencing your body to heal more quickly, or simply altering how you may be experiencing your pain. Regardless, the healing and regenerative properties of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are truly amazing; the only way to find out if acupuncture is the perfect treatment plan for you is to give it a try!
Consider trying a different, more natural approach to health with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Click here to schedule your complimentary consultation, or simply contact our office at (772) 398-4550! Wishing you the best of health!
