Headaches. We all get them, some more severe more than others! Headaches are symptoms of pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck caused by stress, weather, muscle tightness, and arthritis. With different causes come different types of headaches:
Sinus headaches – caused by inflammation within the sinuses of the head
Tension headaches – head pain, which creates tension that feels like a tight band around the head across your temporal lobes
Migraines – these are more intense versions of headaches, which can lead to sensitivity to light and even nausea.
Cluster headaches – coming and going in clusters every day for weeks or months at a time, these headaches are relatively short but extremely painful. They occur commonly within seasons such as spring or fall.
While NSAIDs such as Tylenol may bring temporary relief, they may not always give a long-term solution. A natural way to decrease these types of headaches that you might not have thought of is acupuncture! It can stimulate the body to release endorphins (your body’s natural painkiller) and even block the neurotransmitters (pain messages) from being delivered to the brain. By inserting small, hair-like needles into specific sites on the body, a response is triggered from the nervous system. It can help to decrease stress and tension often associated with headaches. Acupuncture also strengthens the brain’s executive function, helping you deal with stress without the physiologically taxing sympathetic nervous system (being in “fight-or-flight” mode), which will also determine the underlying root cause of the headaches.
If you are suffering from any of the type of headaches listed above, call to make an acupuncture appointment today!