Acupuncture For Migraine. Does It Work?
If you suffer from migraine headaches you know all too well the desperation involved when the pain has gone on for days. It is then that the thought of needles stuck in your skin can begin to sound like a great option if it will make the pain in your head go away.
Well, maybe you should consider acupuncture before you get to that place of desperation because it can help you to feel better and have migraines less often according to a study conducted in Italy and reported on in 2001 by the British Medical Journal and another study produced by the Journal of Chinese Medicine. Even though western medicine required scientific study to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupressure, eastern cultures have long known and trusted the procedure for many types of illness and diseases. One of the biggest benefits of acupuncture is that there are no side effects like there are with drugs. Many people have severe allergic reactions to modern drugs and find the side effect to be worse than the migraine itself. If the thought of needles is too much for you though, acupressure is a great alternative. Acupressure uses pressure applied by finger tip to specific pressure points to relieve pain and other health issues in much the same way as the needles do in acupuncture. Both acupressure and acupuncture provide immediate relief in many cases compared to a more conventional medicine treatment. They also are both more cost effective over time than that of a pharmacological course of treatment. In studies done on both forms, over a twelve month period of time following the prescribed course, patients were less likely to see their family doctor, miss work or take drugs due to migraine headache. The use of acupuncture and acupressure help your body to heal itself. Science has shown that acupuncture allows biochemical changes in the blood serum which helps to stabilize serotonin. Serotonin is the body's natural pain killer and resides mainly in the spinal column. Acupuncture can also affect the autonomic nervous system which activates the nervous system to help reduce stress, anxiety, and muscle tension. The techniques help in reducing pain, offsetting sensitivity to light and dealing with the symptoms of menopause and other existing conditions. All in all, acupressure and acupuncture for migraine help your body heal itself and do what it was designed to do normally compared to prescription drugs designed for migraines that can adversely affect the liver , cause ulcers and addictions. Reduction of stress, anxiety and muscle tension all result from a course of treatment involving acupuncture or acupressure Speak with your local professionals about a mixed therapy if you are concerned about quitting a current plan of treatment that involves prescription drugs.
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