Today, we’ll demonstrate how acupuncture can help headaches. We may needle areas in the head specifically, or in the neck and shoulders if there's tension in those areas. Treatment is individualized to what the patient needs. In any acupuncture treatment, I needle along meridians, which flow from your head to your feet and from your hands to your heart. We may choose to needle along the sutures of the skull, if a patient is experiencing symptoms along these areas and is common to feel pressure or some tenderness in these areas. If you have chronic headaches, you may find yourself constantly massaging these areas. Acupuncture helps to release that pressure and provide relief.
Depending on the patient, I may needle away from the area of pain to help draw energy or qi away from the area of discomfort or I am needle where the pain is located. If we are needling in the shoulders and upper trapezius, often we will needle along areas of tension or pain. This helps the muscle to release and relax. Each treatment is specified for the patient.
How We Needle
So to start out, we first sanitize the area with gloved hands. The needle feels like a little mosquito bite when it goes in. Most people don't even feel it. Acupuncture has a lot of benefits, such as releasing endorphins, decreasing muscle spasm and tension, and increasing blood flow to help promote the healing process. The needle is helping lay down new collagen and scar tissue, to promote blood flow and improve the function of the surrounding tissues.
Research shows that acupuncture can decrease the frequency and the severity of headaches up to 50%. Acupuncture is a great tool that we use in conjunction with chiropractic care. Treatment at Forward Spine would include an adjustment and acupuncture.
The treatments usually take about 30 minutes. We tell patients to schedule about 30 to 40 minutes when they come in.
Around the holiday season and in dryer weather, acupuncture is a great tool to use for sinus pressure. It helps to release pressure in the face, often decreasing symptoms of headache or pressure.
Acupuncture is a tool we utilize at Forward Spine Center and can provide relief for a number of issues including headaches, tendonitis or tendonopathy, sciatica, carpal tunnel, knee or shoulder injuries and many more. Schedule an appointment and talk with Dr. Madeline or Dr. Timothy with any questions you may have.
Dr. Madeline Klesk
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