What are Migraines and How Long do Migraines Last?
Migraines are a specific type of headache that lasts 4-72 hours, is throbbing in nature and moderate to severe in intensity, is one-sided, and is worse with exertion. Migraines may also be associated with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. In order to be diagnosed as suffering from migraines, one only needs to experience 3-4 of these symptoms. Currently it is estimated, that 24 million Americans have migraines. They occur more in women than in men and mostly between 10-40 years of age. More than 50% of migraineurs have a family history of this disorder.
What are the Causes of Migraines?
According to Western medicine, the cause of migraines is unknown and their mechanisms are poorly understood. Triggers include cycling estrogen, insomnia, changes in barometric pressure and hunger. While there is a wide spread belief that certain foods, such as chocolate, cheese, and red wine, may trigger migraines, however research has not confirmed this belief.
How Does Chinese Medicine See Migraines?
In Chinese medicine, most types of migraines are due to an upward counterflow of qi into the head. This upwardly counterflow qi is usually due to liver depression and its various complications. In woman, blood vacuity not nourishing the liver is often the cause or trigger of this upward counterflow. As this yang qi ascends to fill up the bony box of the head, it may draft with it dampness, phlegm, and turbidity. If this congestion recurs over a long period of time, it may also result in the formation of blood stasis in the channels and network vessels of the head.
How Does Chinese Medicine Treat Migraines?
Because each patient presents with their own unique combination of Chinese medical disease mechanisms, the first step in treating migraines with acupuncture and Chinese medicine is to do personalized pattern discrimination. It is professional pattern discrimination which allows the Chinese medical practitioner to determine the exact right combination of therapies for each patient. This combination of therapies may consist of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, or both. It will be typically also consist of diet and lifestyle modifications to treat the underlying root of the condition. Acupuncture may be used either to prevent or remedially during an acute attack. Often, acupuncture can abort or decrease migraine pain within minutes of insertion of the needles. Chinese herbal medicine may be administered in the form of desiccated, powdered extracts or bulk herbs brewed and drunk as a tea several times per day.
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Natural Healing Ways
East Bay Clinic for Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine
1115 Marin Ave
Albany, Ca. 94706
510-978-3444