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Does Acupuncture Work for Headaches?

Posted by Integrative Medicine Team on May 21, 2019 2:51:00 PM

The short answer to whether acupuncture relieves headaches is YES! In fact, acupuncture, which has been around for about 4,000 years, has a long history of success in easing a variety of painful conditions. Jacob Wolf, ND, LAc, Dipl OM, with Lake Health Integrative Medicine explains how acupuncture works for headaches: 

How does acupuncture work?

Traditional Chinese medicine states that energy, or "qi," flows through meridians, or channels, in the body. Disease and pain occur when the flow of qi is blocked. Acupuncture uses thin needles inserted in specific points on the body to open the meridians, releasing blocked qi.

Western medical studies don’t recognize that acupuncture releases blocked qi. Instead, studies indicate that acupuncture helps release natural pain relievers in the body and activates different areas in the brain to reduce pain. Acupuncture can also alleviate stress and muscle tension that can trigger headaches.

How many sessions are needed to relieve headaches?

The number of sessions needed to relieve headaches varies with each patient, but on average initial benefits are seen between four and six sessions. Some patients might need more sessions.

Jacob Wolf takes an overall approach to managing headaches, looking at his patient's diet, water intake, sleep habits, hormone balance, food sensitivities and more.

About the author

Jacob WolfJacob Wolf, ND, LAc, Dipl OM, offers a variety of therapies at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Wellness Campus. He is accepting new patients who seek non-prescription alternatives including supplements, herbs and homeopathic products.

 Learn more about the treatments Jacob offers, or call 440-205-5508 for an appointment.

 

 

 

 

Topics: Integrative Medicine, acupuncture, headaches