Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine practice, based on inserting thin needles to the body’s pressure points to relieve pain and treat other conditions, such as migraine. While Western medicine has been skeptical about the effects of acupuncture before, a lot has changed in the perception of this treatment option following clinical trials done in the last decade.
One study, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, involved almost 5,000 patients who underwent regular acupuncture to reduce their migraine frequency. According to the experts, some 59% of the patients saw improvements in their condition when their migraine episodes dropped by as much as 50% after getting acupuncture. The effects of the procedure supposedly lasted for more than 6 months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed acupuncture as a treatment option since the late ’70s.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
How Acupuncture in Gainesville, Fl Works for Migraines
As a traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is supposed to balance the body’s energy flow (also known as the “qi”). The acupuncturist in Guan Physical Therapy and Acupuncture clinic, Gainesville targets key areas or pressure points in the body to open up this “qi”, thus reducing the pain and improve the flow of energy. It is believed that the thin needles used in acupuncture stimulate the body’s nerves that, in turn, release hormones like endorphins. Apparently, this practice also activates certain pathways in the brain that turns off the pain response. Apart from pain relief, other acknowledged benefits of acupuncture include:- Reducing inflammation that may be associated with migraine
- Increasing blood circulation that disperses the swelling
- Reducing the electrical brain waves that may be linked to migraine
- Modulating blood flow to lessen migraine aggravation
- Reducing the release of a substance like calcitonin gene-related peptide, a type of neuropeptides that signals the brain of pain
What to Expect from Acupuncture in Gainesville, Fl
Acupuncture sessions usually last for less than an hour. A study in the journal Neurological Sciences recommends that visiting an acupuncturist twice a week for a period of two weeks, and then once a week for a period of eight weeks, might give the best results to reduce migraine pain. It would help the acupuncturist to know how migraine affects the patient by presenting medical records or disclosing pertinent information, such as family medical history, frequency of migraine attacks, types of medications, potential triggers, other conditions and lifestyle habits. The more the acupuncturist knows about your condition, the better she can facilitate the treatment according to the patient’s needs. Some patients report feeling pain when the tiny pricks of needles are inserted on the skin. In general, however, this process is tolerable and comfortable, especially if the patient gets a treatment from a licensed professional with a clinic that follows the standards of practice. Ultimately, the results can vary per person and for some patients, acupuncture might be an option if the first line of migraine treatments doesn’t deliver effective results. Doctors, however, continue to advise patients to see a specialist if their migraines have a significant effect on their productivity and functionality in day-to-day activities for the proper diagnosis and medication.Where to find the best acupuncture clinic in Gainesville?
If you are considering an acupuncture treatment and don’t know where to start or what to expect, our trained and friendly acupuncturist in Guan Acupuncture, Gainesville, Fl can help you ease your anxiety and answer all of your questions. Talk to our world-class acupuncturist to get the best assessment and acupuncture options for your health needs. For more information, please Contact Us.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. 