Acupuncture for Migraines/Headaches
About 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches, and of those, 28 million suffer from migraines. Various factors, such as muscle tension, injury, dietary issues, allergies, sinus issues, environmental factors, and genetics, can all contribute to the causes of headaches. Although the causes among individuals can be quite different, the results are often the same - pain and diminished quality of life. While conventional therapies such as perscription and over the counter medications can be quite effective at treating the pain of headaches and migraines sufferers, they often cause unpleasant side effects and do not necessarily get to the root cause of the problem.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can provide very effective and natural treatments for the various types of headaches, whether they be migraines, sinus headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches, etc. without negative side effects. Acupuncture has been used as a treatment for headaches for thousands of years and is becoming more and more of an accepted form of therapy in the United States today. Acupuncturists treat migraines/headaches by looking at the unique imbalances of each individual and treating those imbalances accordingly. By regulating blood flow, restoring energetic balance, normalizing hormones, and taking advantage of the body's own natural healing process, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can bring lasting and significant relief to migraine/headache sufferers.
Even though the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of migraines and headaches has been known in the East for thousands of years, only recently have studies began to prove its efficacy in the West. According to an article on DukeHealth.org, after researchers analyzed 17 studies comparing acupuncture to medication, they found that 62 percent of the acupuncture patients reported headache relief compared to only 45 percent of people taking medication. These acupuncture patients also reported better physical well-being compared to the medication group. In 14 studies that compared real acupuncture to sham therapy, 53 percent of acupuncture patients responded to treatment compared to 45 percent receiving sham therapy.
We are licensed and board certified acupuncturists who are very experienced in treating migraines and headaches. Our Chicago Loop acupuncture clinic provides a safe and modern space to get acupuncture treatments to effectively treat migraines and headaches. Contact our Chicago acupuncture office to make your appointment today.