Up to 28 million people suffer from migraines each year! 1 out of 10 victims experience migraines with aura, complete with visual disturbances like blind spots or flashing lights, dizziness and vertigo. The other 90% have fierce headaches, usually one sided, with nausea and increased sensitivity to light, sounds, and odors. Many people have early warning signs of an impending migraine, such as food cravings, hyperactivity, tiredness, yawning, or mood swings. Monthly hormone fluctuations often trigger attacks.
Why use acupuncture for migraines?
Acupuncture has no side effects! The most commonly prescribed medications, like Imitrex, Celexa, Tylenol, NSAIDs, Zomig, and Compazine can cause nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, weight gain, or difficulty breathing. According to the British Medical Journal, patients who received acupuncture treatment for headaches experienced 22 fewer days with headaches, used 15% less medication, had 25% fewer doctor visits, and had 15% fewer sick days.
Acupuncture is cost effective. Investigators in Italy estimate savings of hundreds of millions of dollars if acupuncture were used instead of drugs in that country alone.
In Chinese theory migraines are caused by:
· Qi stagnation, or abnormal flow of energy through the meridians, with one sided headaches, blurred vision, numbness and tingling fingers, fatigue, petulance, irregular menstrual cycle, PMS symptoms
· Yang rising: dizziness or vertigo, light sensitivity, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to noises, flushed face, anger, possible hypertension
· Blood stasis: intense stabbing headache in a fixed location, often resulting from head trauma
· Phlegm stagnation: dizziness, heavy head, feeling like a wet band is wrapped around the entire head, vomiting of phlegm, bloating or stuffiness in chest and abdomen
· Cold stagnation: sudden attacks with pain at the top of the head, chills, and vomiting clear fluid
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Food triggers include: artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives; chocolate, spicy foods,alcohol (especially red wine), red meat, animal fats, bananas, eggs, aspartame, MSG,and oranges. Nuts and tomatoes may be a problem for some people, but not everyone. The compound tyramine in aged cheeses causes increased blood pressure and dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Avoid blue cheese, Brie, cheddar, Stilton, feta, Gorgonzola, mozzarella, Muenster, Parmesan, and Swiss (small amounts of cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, and soft farmer’s cheese are OK).
Environmental triggers include: windy conditions, extreme heat or cold, hot baths, loud noises, bright or flickering lights, and perfumes. Avoid nightclubs, concerts, video games, riding in convertibles, saunas, etc.
Lifestyle triggers include: being overstressed or overtired, sleep pattern disruptions from sleeping in late on weekends or keeping late nights, irregular eating with blood sugar fluctuations, traveling, or generally any changes in routine.
Many people can easily tolerate one or two of these triggers, but a combination of factors can overload your coping mechanisms and cause an attack. Keeping a daily journal can help you pinpoint your specific triggers.
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Natural Cures for Migraines
· Foods to increase: Almonds, watercress, parsley, fennel, garlic, cherries, and pineapple
· Feverfew has been shown in medical studies to prevent migraines. It WILL NOT stop a headache already in progress! Take 200-400 mg tablets 3 times a day, Use a liquid extract 4-8 ml, or chew 2 leaves daily.
· Many migraine sufferers have magnesium deficits. Chocolate has high magnesium content, explaining our typical cravings. 500-750 mg/day of magnesium citrate or magnesium carbonate is recommended. Magnesium citrate is especially helpful for boosting energy. Dietary sources include whole grains, beans and legumes, vegetables, seaweed, nuts, and seeds.
· Some people show improvement with vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supplementation at 400mg/day.
· Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, found in flax and pumpkin seeds, soy, dark green plants, and fish oil.
· Vitamin E: 400 IU
· Calcium: 1,000 mg daily
· Regular exercise, regular mealtimes, and exposure to fresh air daily are essential.
· Take periodic stretch breaks at work. Make your work environment as comfortable as possible, by adjusting your chair, keyboards and computer monitor as needed. Keep the room temperature comfortable and eliminate breezes from fans or air conditioners.
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