Natural and holistic treatments rely on healing the body and the mind, rather than using drug therapy, and focuses on treating the cause of the problem rather than treating actual symptoms. A technique known as acupuncture uses different pressure points on the body to help alleviate pain and depression, and has been known to have therapeutic effects which stimulate the immune system. When dealing with migraines, pressure points are stimulated through massage or needle work, and involve stimulation of the hormones in the brain that alleviate painful symptoms in the head. Acupuncture migraine treatments may also revolve around herbal medicines, but this is only a supplemental approach to acupuncture.
Acupuncture usually relies on small and painless needles inserted into various pressure points of the body to initiate blood flow to different tissues associated with a certain condition. When using an acupuncture migraine treatment, a practitioner inserts these fine needles into pressure points, such as in the legs and arms, to increase dermal blood flow and allow for more oxygen and nutrients to be carried toward the brain through what is known as an axon reflex. Many practitioners have a patient in the sitting position when performing an acupuncture migraine treatment, as it is thought that blood vessels are in greater control in this position rather than when the body is lying down. Needles used in acupuncture are painless and the skin is relatively insensitive to their effect when inserted into the epidermis.
Case studies have shown that acupuncture is effective at treating headaches, and acupuncture migraine prevention plans have also been shown to be beneficial for those in between migraine attacks. Many times, migraines are the result of too much tension in the brain due to emotional or physical stress. Rather than treat the symptoms of the migraine with drugs as in conventional therapies, acupuncture migraine treatments can be used to go to the core of the emotional issues and help ease the stress experienced by the body that stimulates the migraines in the first place. This can involve needles being inserted into various points in the body, such as the head, neck and arms, to help release stress in the body and provide a patient with a calmer state of mind.
At times, an acupuncturist will use massage at the various pressure points, or energy points, of the body instead of needles. This is an easier way to treat migraine headaches, and no less effective. Both massage and needle therapies in acupuncture have been shown to help ease migraine and headache symptoms by releasing stress and stimulating blood flow throughout the tissues of the body. Although an acupuncturist might prefer using small needles, massage can also provide relief for those afraid of needles or sharp points of any kind. Acupuncture is a well-documented alternative healing tool of migraine treatment and prevention, and any method utilized can be useful for someone suffering from recurrent headaches.