An estimated 19% of women and 9% of men experience the intense and debilitating pain of migraine headaches. As a specialist in traditional Chinese medicine, Rebecca Baker, LAc, at Acupuncture Associates of Castle Rock has helped many patients achieve long-lasting relief from migraines by healing the underlying cause and supporting their overall health. To learn how therapies such as acupuncture can relieve your migraine, call the office in Castle Rock, Colorado, or schedule an appointment online.
Migraines Q & A
What causes a migraine?
A migraine is a neurological disorder that occurs when cranial nerves react to a trigger and send signals to your brain that cause the release of biochemicals. As a result, you develop an intense migraine along with other body-wide symptoms.
While migraine triggers are different for each patient, some of the most common include:
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Caffeine
- Strong odors
- Skipping a meal
- Bright or flashing lights
- Changes in the weather
- Certain foods and additives
- Hormone fluctuations during menstrual periods
Rebecca works with you to determine your personal triggers, then helps create a plan to avoid them.
What are the stages and symptoms of a migraine?
Migraines progress through four stages that have specific symptoms. However, you may not experience every stage:
Prodrome
A day or two before the migraine begins, you may notice changes such as food cravings, excessive thirst, and mood fluctuations.
Aura
It’s estimated that one-third of migraine patients experience an aura, which begins about 30 minutes before the headache pain. In most cases, an aura involves changes in vision, so you may see wavy lines, flashes of light, or suffer some temporary vision loss. Other symptoms experienced during an aura include uncontrollable jerking, hearing noises or music, muscle weakness, and having a hard time speaking.
Attack
This is the stage when your migraine begins. Migraines cause incapacitating, throbbing pain that’s often centered on one or both temples. In addition to your intense pain, migraines also cause nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and sensitivity to lights, sounds, smells, and touch. Migraine attacks last 4-72 hours.
Post-drome
You may continue to experience symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, or sensitivity for up to 24 hours after your migraine pain goes away.
How are migraines treated?
Rebecca thoroughly evaluates your overall health, symptoms, and triggers. Then she uses traditional Chinese techniques to determine the underlying cause of your migraine. She may assess:
- Nutritional status and digestion
- Inflammation
- Gut microbiome
- Toxic load
- Hormonal balance
- Stress and anxiety
- Circulation
In addition to acupuncture to improve nerve function or to heal underlying problems, you may receive nutritional support, herbal medicine, acupressure, and therapeutic massage such as tui na. Studies show that combining acupuncture with tui na can help reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraines.
If you suffer the pain of migraines, holistic care is available at Acupuncture Associates of Castle Rock. Call or book an appointment online.
