Migraine and mental tension or stress are two common causes of headaches. Tension related headaches might range from moderate to intense, while migraine related headaches are chronic in nature and their occurrence is more frequent. It persists for longer periods and sometimes, the pain is so severe that it becomes debilitating. Headaches due to migraines are usually triggered by emotional stress. You are also prone to suffer from common types of headaches due to your day-to-day hectic lifestyle and stress. If this occurs frequently, it may lead to chronic headaches.
Today, acupuncture therapy is gaining popularity at a very fast rate for the treatment of headaches due to many reasons.
Acupuncture therapy involves the insertion of very fine needles at pre-defined, specific points in the body. Usually, when the treatment is provided, you are asked to stay in a seated position as the response to the treatment is better this way when compared to the reclining position. This is done because the blood vessels are in better control in the seated position. At times, it is required to manipulate the insertion points of the needle. The insertion of the needles leads to an increase of the blood flow in those specific areas. In some specific cases, needles are connected to a high frequency current of 100 Hz in order to constrict the blood vessels. It is likely to produce better results in such special cases.
It is not always the case that all patients will respond to the acupuncture therapy in the same manner. In some cases, it might be the reverse. Some patients experience instant relief from the pain, while others could find it more painful. Not only does the success of the acupuncture therapy for headaches depend on the therapists, it also depends on the person undergoing the treatment.
In some cases, a special technique of acupuncture is used in which there is a shallow inversion of the needles in the upper layer of the skin, just touching the lower layer, without piercing it. It has been observed that many patients get instant relief from headaches using this technique. The acupuncture points for this technique are located at the front portion of the arms and lower legs.
If you happen to suffer from severe headaches frequently and opt for acupuncture therapy as a treatment, you must always consider seeking advice from your healthcare provider and not stop taking the medicines prescribed unless advised otherwise.