Wondering If "Acupuncture" Helps with Headaches/migraines

Hey J.!
You are on the right track. Stress does influence migraines. There is a lot of information out there, but what I have learned is that migraines are a result of toxins in the colon being released under stress and the lack of vital trace minerals. Acupuncture won't hurt, yet I would recommend doing a colon cleanse and then adding a whole food supplement.
Good luck. I am sure you can cure this and get some relief.

Hi J.,

I have acupuncture treatments for arthritis in my lower back. They treat people for a wide variety of ailments such as chronic back pain, migraines, neuropathy, etc. I used to go to a chiropractor, but needed treatments more often, and could not lift or bend, etc. I started going to acupuncture about a year ago once a week. Now I am going every eight weeks, and my chronic pain is gone. I can lift (my grandchildren, lol), and bend, and exercise again.

I highly recommend:

Peter Challenor
Challenor Acupuncture
2044 Galway Drive
Pittsburg, CA 94565
###-###-#### by appointment only

I was scared to death the first time I went because I hate needles. However, these needles are so tiny you don't you don't feel the same sensation as you would from say getting a shot.

Good luck to you.

B.

Hi J.,
The imbalances and/or stress that cause migraines can be helped by Acupuncture, Acupressure and Jin Shin Jyutsu®. They all work to harmonize the chi, which is the energy that runs the body systems. Acupuncture uses hair thin needles and Acupressure and Jin Shin Jyutsu® use gentle touch to restore balance.

I use Acupuncture as my primary care with great results. I give myself Acupressure and Jin Shin Jyutsu® daily. I am a Certified Acupressurist and Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner and would be happy to explain more. ____@____.com sessions are very relaxing and energizing (which is good for all moms) and are an inexpensive alternative to migraine medication. You can even learn simple self-help techniques to maintain the balanced state.

Although it can take more than one session to clear an imbalance, I once had a client who was a pregnant neurologist. She had a constant migraine headache for more than a month. She came to me instead of taking drugs during pregnancy. Her headache was gone after one session, and did not return. :o) I wish the same for you.
Be Well,
T.

I had migraines all my life and chronic migraines for about 10 years when I discovered they were being caused by eating foods high in citric acid (tomatoes, citrus, etc). I was tired of taking medications for the pain too and when my doctor suggested adding a preventative medication to take on a daily basis, I decided to try to figure it out myself. I got a book by William Walsh of the Mayo Clinic--I don't remember the exact title and I loaned it out to someone who did not return it, but it had "food allergies" in the title. The book had an elimination diet I followed for two weeks and my migraines disappeared. I slowly reintroduced foods and discovered which foods triggered my migraines. I know migraines can be caused by a variety of factors, but mine were food-related. I don't know whether it's an allergy or an intolerance, but I'm cured! Good luck!

You may want to double check two things...when did you have your eyes examined last? Eye strain can also cause daily headaches. And are you sure it isn't allergy related? It is worth having both avenues checked...headaches SUCK!

Hi J.:

I have used acupuncture for my migraines. Like you...I didn't want any drugs into my system. My Dr had prescribed many sorts of meds..but they actually made it worse for me. The whole point is for it to maintain or get rid of my migraine...not at all. I ended up being more miserable and thought of alternative medicine. Acupuncture WORKED!!! I was very picky on finding myself the right acupuncturist! I saw 2 before I found the right one. She's in SF...I loved her..she explained EVERYTHING and she had studied Chinese medicine for years. I had 4 mths of treatment twice a week for the first 2 mths..and then once a week for the rest of the months. I could of stayed with her longer..but...I didn't think there was any need to unless they started again. This was in 2005..since then...no more migraines. The only way I would start getting migraine is if I ate certain chocolates...and yes...STRESS played a HUGE part. I would totally recommend it. Hope this helps! Good luck. Let me know how it works out for you.

I am not sure about migrane pian, but Accupuncture helped with my husbands back pain. He broke his back and was put on pain killers by the doctors, and they almost did more harm than good physically for my husband. We stopped the pain pills and went with Accupuncture for pain management and it helped so well that he never took pain pills for his back again. 7 weeks after that he was back at work. I totally believe it can be used for pain management. The insurance even covered it because it was a treatment for pain. Give it a try.....it couldn't hurt. :)

Absolutely yes.... acupuncture will help relieve your headaches. If you are in the bay area, Dr Henry Lee on Castro St Mountain View is fantastic. He is compassionate, skillful and gets amazing results. It is difficult to get to see him, he is extremely popular so you will have to book up appts in advance.

Good luck,

Try feverfew, an herbal remedy, you can buy it in various forms, I'd ask for more guidance at the supplements dept. of your local health food store. Also migraine can be a symptom of some food allergies or intolerances. All the best.

YES!!!!!! I have used acupunture and acupressure for many things - from general malaise to a knee injury - get a good practitioner - I would expect acupuncture will help with migraines - also a good practitioner or chinese doctor will help you figure out other triggers that might be helpful as well -

J.,
Do you know what your triggers are? Do the sides of your head near your ears get sore, or achy? I find that chiropractic works for my migraines really well. There is a release they do inside my neck that is way up high.
I have a really good one if you want. Also accupunture is good, but I have not done it for my migraines. I have used it for other things. I have names for both people if you are interested.
W. M.

Hi J. - I started doing acupuncture because I was having headaches and really bad neck pain. I had two sessions and the results were AMAZING! That said, it is something that I should have continued to do for pain management, at least once a month. I also bought a neck and back DVD (from my acupuncturist) which should help, but unfortunately I haven't used it yet - when to find time?!?! : ) I went from taking two 800mg of Motrin a day to nothing for quite some time. I would guess the results lasted about 3 months. Now I'm a but in agony again and need to make another appointment. There is also certain massage called Myofascial release massage therapy which is also a different pain management type of massage.

Pro Active Acupuncture (Bradley Cimino), ###-###-####
Addicted to Massage - http://www.addictedtomassage.com/

Good luck! :)

I come from a migraine prone family - actually my mother has been hospitalized for migraines. I don't know about acupuncture, but since I've started running or exercising daily - it has relieved the stress like you wouldn't believe. I have also cut back on wine except for once a week on the weekends - rarely ever get migraines anymore. Good luck!

Acupuncture often helps with pain. You might also consider chiropractic. Chiropractic has tremendous success with eliminating or alleviating headaches and migraine headaches. You may have a structural problem that needs correcting. It is also a non-drug alternative.

I haven't tried acupuncture, but chiropractic care really helped me.

YES! Migraines and headaches can be caused by hormones too. I get hormone induced mirgraines and can not take prescription drugs as I react to them - they make my migraines worse. I started seeing my acupuncturist years and years ago (before kids were even a thought.... still in college) for hormonal imbalances caused by being on the pill. When I started working with her I was having debilitating migraines, depression, horrible PMS, cramps that kept me in bed, very heavy bleeding for 4-5 days, and literally felt like I couldn't function. I was 21.

10 years and two kids later, I no longer have severe cramps, heavy bleeding, headaches or depression. Things are totally managable now. She kept me "normal" through both pregnancies - coming to my first while I was in labor to help because I got "stuck" at 5 cm... and helped turn baby #2 who wasn't breach but he wasn't where he was suppose to be either! She has a 98% success rate in turning breach babies and a 98% success rate at inducing labor.

And my hubby will attest to the fact that acupuncture has "saved" me and us. I didn't go for a while after baby #2 because of childcare and money issues. I ended up in bed one night crying because of a migraine. He had never seen me with one this bad in our then 6 years of marriage. It scared him. He asked what we needed to do so that I didn't have them anymore. I said I had to go back to acupuncture but how could we with childcare and money issues? He made it all work and has been home everytime I've had an appt (And I see her religious every two weeks just like I did before kids) and has helped cut back on "extras" so we have the $ for the appts.

I am a HUGE advocate of acupuncture as you can tell. But that's because it works.

Not sure where you're located but my gal, who specializes in women's health, is in Sebastopol. Her name is Laurel Brody. Her number is ###-###-#### If Sebastopol isn't close enough for you, you can also call her for a referral to someone in your area.

Good luck! And I hope you start feeling better soon.

My sister suffers migraines and the only thing that will stop that freight train is a "massage" technique called "Cranial-Sacral". No needles and really barely any massage involved, but she swears by this.
I've never used acupuncture for headaches, but can say positively that every single thing I've gone to acupunture for has been resolved in one or two sessions. Plus it is extremely relaxing.
I sympathize with you. My mother and all 3 of my sisters suffer migraines. All of them experienced a lessening of their severity as they got older. Hope that happens for you too. Best of luck.

Dear J.,
I personally know two people who have had their migraines cease through acupuncture. One 14 year old, and the other a 12 year old. Both girls. I actually went for the first time to an acupuncturist last week. I loved it and it helped with a pain I was getting for years in the back, right side of my head, emanating from something in my shoulder. Massage and other disciplines did not help it, but the acupuncture did. I was amazed. The acupuncturist's name is Christine Newell, she has offices in both Albany and San Rafael. Her phone number is ###-###-####. She's wonderful. Good luck.
M. D.

I have had acupuncture for several things and it has usually worked. The only thing it didn't work with was to help me go in to labor and make my labor easier (my daughter was 2 weeks late and 44 hours of labor). I love my acupuncturist and am actually going to call him today to help me with sciatica problems that I've been having with this pregnancy (it was the only thing that took sciatic problems away in my last pregnancy). I see Peter Challenor in Pittsburg. He's also an RN, so I love it that he understands both Eastern and Western medicine. Here's his webpage... http://www.challenoracupuncture.com/home.nxg The most awesome thing he's helped my husband and I with is getting pregnant with our 22 month old. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope he can help you, too.

Hi J..

First of all I must say acupuncture for me is Awesome! I have Fibromyalgia and have pain everywhere. The acupuncture treatments were so relaxing and provided much relief. They were amazing! The first time I had it done I felt euphoric. That was my response and my acupuncturist said that it is a common feeling among her patients.

At the time I was also having migraines. Sometimes 2 or 3 a month, maybe more. I remember my acupuncturist telling me that acupuncture could help the headaches too. She put the needles around my forehead. However I could only continue with her for two more treatments due to insurance so I don't know if that helped or not. But even those treatments were fulfilling.

I do know what helped mine was therapy on my neck, back and shoulders. I had laidocaine injections into trigger points.. areas of pain that reflect pain into another area of the body. It took several months but the headaches slowly went away.

I also know that migraines are very complex. They can be caused by stress but they can be caused by many other things as well. You should take some time and read up on their causes and what happens in the body when you get one. I am a believer in knowing about my body and what is happening to me. The more you know about them, then you will learn what causes yours and also know what to do to help stay away from the things that aggrivate the situation for you.

So, I don't know if I helped you or not. The basic point is... yes, I loved acupuncture. Yes, the acupuncturist said the treatments could help with migraine headaches, and Yes, I would recommend this treatment to anyone. It is a great form of therapy.

Good luck hon. I pray you find relief soon.

B.~

Greetings J.: I am someone who would be hospitlized and given heavy drugs for my migrains. I learned to be Thankful for the art of Acupuncture and a really good Practitioner.
I have the name of one in San Ramone Ca and one that is in Hayward, ca. I also know one in down the street from the Oakland Kaiser.
I have to tell you that I thought it was all "voodo" but after trying literally everything else I started upon recomendation from my wonderful therepy sessions with Dr. Helena Weil, in Castro Valley to trust her on this idea. I have to tell you that the first time I went I was almost blinded with pain and after leaving the office I was able to bear it- several sessions later I learned if I caught it soon enough I never had any trouble.
2 years ago I suffered for 13 weeks from asthma,pneumonia and panic attacks. I was taken by a dear friend to her Practitioner in San Ramone, and within 3 weeks he had me completly under control. He educated me on things that were my triggers and how to deal with them. I Thank God, he was in the art of healing. I have had only controlable asthma since and only a few migrains. If you would like any of these names I would be happy to give them to you. I have to add that I did see a Chriopractor but his adjustments to my neck only made it worse. He did do the traction and that helped alot.
For me it was great and educational as well and like I said I was sure it was all a joke. I really believe if you have tried everything else than try it out for several sessions from someone that is HIGHLY reccomended. Make sure that you see that the needles are new and without question. This was advice from the man who did mine. I wish you wellness and no pain filled days. Contact me if you want the names and numbers of the people that I have worked with. Nana G

No more migraines or lower back pain since I started drinking a liquid supplement 2oz daily in Mar 2007 and still drinking till this day, you can get it at www.DrinkSupplements.com I highly recommend it and it is physician formulated. You can try it for 30 days with a 100% money back guarantee, what do you have to loose but all to gain, migraines are no fun! Call me if you want to know more 800-523-9250. Good Luck!

Yes ! I had headaches every day. I felt disabled from it. I also got migraines several times a month. I got acpuncture for fertility. I got pregnant right away AND had three other great affects from the treatments; I lost a lot of weight, and no more headaches. I went to acupuncture for five months (even though I got pregnant between my first and second visits) because the other effects were so great !! It gets your body working like it's supposed to. It relieves tension etc etc.... I had Kaiser at the time, and they paid half

Hi J.,

I really feel for you. My husband has migraines brought on by stress amongst other things and he has prescription drugs which work if he takes them at the very onset of a migraine.

He did try acupuncture twice and I think it really depends on who you go to. He tried one who stuck lots of needles in him and it didn't have any effect. He then tried someone else who used very few needles and told him that after the acupuncture he would soon have the worst migraine but he would then be migraine free for a few months. He had a mega migraine after the acupuncture but then went 3 months without a single migraine. Ask around for referrals. Unfortunately the guy he went to the 2nd time around doesn't practice anymore.

Good luck!

My aunt swears by it... and she's not a new-agey kinda of gal (think along the lines of NASCAR, motorcycles and big dogs). Can't hurt to give it a go! I believe hormonal fluctuations can also trigger migraines (pregnancy, menstrual cycle, menopause). Perhaps the 2 types of headaches have different causes? Good luck to you.

I suffered from migraines for over 20 years before "discovering" chiropractic care and eventually acupuncture. It was actually my chiropractor that got rid of the migraines, as I had not yet discovered acupuncture. I have been headache free for almost 6 years and that's after using max doses of imitrex daily for years (my migraines were that frequent)and Mitrin before that. Since I've had good success with acupuncture for treating tendonitis, I'd be willing to bet it will work on headaches too.
I'm not sure where you live, but I highly recommend Dianne Jurgensen, DC in Los Gatos ###-###-#### or ____@____.com; web is www.thegentledoc.com.
Nancy Burns at Valley Acupuncture in South San Jose is fantastic! Her # is ###-###-####.
I know how horrible and dibilitating migraines can be. I also know either one of these courses of treatment will change your life. Best of luck to you and a pain free future too!

I'm sure it would, but I don't have exeprience with Acupuncture. I hear can help with almost anything.

Yoga definitely works for headaches! Google Yoga for Headaches and one of your choices should be an article in the Yoga Journal titled something like 13 Poses to Releive Tension. I have beeen practicing yoga for 6 weeks and haven't felt better! Good luck!