Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines - Empower Acupuncture, Morden

Find out more about acupuncture treatments for headaches and migraines in Morden...

Headaches and migraines can be a real, err…headache can’t they?

Everyone will have had a headache at some point in their life, maybe alongside a cold or flu, or a stressful day. However headaches can range from a mild inconvenience to debilitating migraines.

Typical advice for dealing with headaches usually boils down to taking painkillers, staying hydrated and avoiding stress (easier said than done some days!).

But while they are all helpful things to do, what if you’re regularly getting headaches or migraines? Well, from an acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view, headaches are often not just isolated symptoms but signs of deeper imbalances in the body.

So how can acupuncture help with headaches or migraines?

As a traditional acupuncturist, I work according to a traditional framework, and in TCM the body is viewed as an interconnected system where energy, or Qi, flows through pathways called Meridians. When this flow is blocked or unbalanced, pain and illness can arise. Headaches and migraines are often linked to disruptions in Qi and blood circulation, as well as imbalances in the body's organ energy systems. This might be because of an outside factor, like a cold or flu-type illness which usually passes, or it could be a sign of stagnated or stuck energy or a deficiency in one or more parts of your meridian system.

We’re still not 100% sure on how this corresponds to a biomedical mechanism, but theories are that acupuncture helps to regulate the nervous system, improve blood circulation, and reduce inflammation as well as releasing natural painkillers like endorphins.

The first thing we do when you come in for a treatment is do an initial assessment that covers your main symptoms as well as medical history, lifestyle - I might also do some physical checks including pulse and tongue diagnosis, to determine the underlying TCM pattern. This pattern (or patterns, we often have more than one going on at once) requires a tailored approach in acupuncture treatment to restore balance and relieve pain.

By identifying which pattern or combination of patterns is present, I can then tailor your acupuncture treatment to your particular case. A typical treatment would probably use needles at key points around the head and neck, and also in the arms as legs, which might seem strange if your pain is in your head, but these are known as “distal” points and connect to the neck via the network of energy channels or Meridians. As I use a number of different tools, I might also use other tools or techniques like cupping, moxa or gentle stretching in combination with acupuncture needles.

The treatment itself usually lasts 20 - 30 mins while you relax on the table, and I’ll check on you periodically to see how you’re doing and maybe make some adjustments.

Most people feel pretty relaxed during treatment, and depending on how your body reacts you might feel immediate relief in the first session, but sometimes it takes a while to notice a change, especially if your headaches are especially chronic, but you will see gradual improvement over several sessions. We’ll map out a treatment plan for you during your first session so you can understand how many treatments you might need, and also if you need to come more frequently for treatment in the first week or two.

Now, I understand that someone sticking needles into you might be a daunting idea, but if you need to chat through any aspect of treatment or want to find out more, then just get in touch, or even come in for a free consultation/chat about your symptoms and we can see how it goes!

To contact me, phone 0208 051 7743 or email info@empoweracupuncture.co.uk

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