Headaches

1. The exact cause is unknown.
2. Up to 60-75% of migraine patients have a positive family history. A chromosomal abnormality has been identified in familial hemiplegic migraine.
3. Migraine appears to be a genetically linked neuronal disorder, with vascular disruption as a secondary effect of underlying neurochemical changes.
4. Abnormalities in serotonin and norepinephrine metabolism may play a role.
5. Neurogenic inflammation and regional disruption of cerebral or extracranial blood flow may explain some clinical features.

Tension, cluster, and mixed headaches have different mechanisms and causes. Please refer to other sources for details on those types. Acupuncture does deliver quick relief for all three kinds and has been widely recognized for this.

1. Specific foods: MSG, red wine, alcohol, aged cheeses, and chocolates. Sour foods like vinegar, citrus fruits, sour cream, and yogurt. Dried or smoked fish, dairy products, beans, nuts, onions, caffeinated drinks, and food additives may also trigger migraines.
2. Missing meals.
3. Hormonal factors: menstrual cycle, estrogen replacement.
4. Physical factors: injury or overexertion.
5. Emotional factors: loss, death, argument, fear, emotional stress, relief of stress.
6. Chemical factors: medications, birth control pills, vasodilators, or air pollution.
7. Sleep patterns: excessive sleep, lack of sleep, fatigue.
8. Sensory triggers: glaring lights.
9. Family history of migraine.
10. Female gender.
11. Young age.
12. History of childhood cyclic vomiting, cyclic abdominal pain, or motion sickness.

Before having attacks:

The best approach is to keep a diary to log your migraine attacks and identify the triggering factors. Modify your lifestyle toward a less-triggering one, such as getting a vacation to relax, quitting red wine, chocolate, and coffee.

During the headache, you can:

1. Apply compression to tender areas of the scalp or neck.
2. Apply cold compression to the area of pain.
3. Rest with pillows comfortably supporting your head or neck in an area free from sensory stimulation, including light, sound, and odors.
4. Withdraw from stressful surroundings.
5. Get good sleep.

Acupuncture offers quick relief that can be effective within minutes to hours for headaches through the following mechanisms:

1. Desensitizing nerve sensation.
2. Modulating blood flow and neurovascular regulation in the brain.
3. Relaxing muscle spasms if they are present.
4. Reducing local inflammation if there is any.

Scheduled treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of episodes and help reduce dependence on medication.

Each individual receives needles according to their underlying condition and body constitution. Most acupuncture points do not hurt. Patients typically feel a brief mosquito-bite sensation that is subtle for most people. Some points tend to be more sensitive than others, and we take extra care with those to avoid discomfort.

$95/session, $45 consultation. 30-45 minute initial consultation.

Alberta Health Care does not cover acupuncture. Most company benefits cover acupuncture when treatment is provided through a Registered Acupuncturist. Contact your HR department or insurance company for coverage details.

Acupuncture treatment for migraine, tension, cluster, and mixed headaches has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a treatment that may be beneficial. It has helped many patients with headache problems and is certainly a reasonable natural modality with the potential to help. “It works for many” does not mean “it works for you.” As for you, there is only one way to find out.