Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art. Practitioners of acupuncture believe that the body has more than 2,000 acupoints that are connected by channels called meridians. Those acupoints are thought to carry an energy flow that influences a person's overall health and wellness. Acupuncture therapists believe that if there is interference with that energy flow, adverse health consequences can result.
When therapists use acupuncture on specific acupoints, they are focusing on improving or restoring a patient's energy flow, thereby improving his or her overall wellness. After being examined and consulting with Dr. Blomdahl or Dr. Zaker at Maple Grove Family Chiropractic in Maple Grove, MN, acupuncture might be recommended as a treatment for your headaches.
Types of Headaches
There are more than 100 different types of headaches, but the most common ones are tension headaches and migraines. Tension headaches are the predominant type. They are characterized by pain behind the eyes, neck, and head. Migraine headaches are more severe than tension headaches. Migraine pain has been described as pounding or throbbing with sensitivity to light or sound. A person can suffer from a migraine headache for as little as a few hours or as long as three days. Both tension headaches and migraine headaches can be treated with acupuncture.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief from Headaches
Whether you suffer from tension headaches or migraines, there is strong evidence that acupuncture can help relieve the frequency and severity of your headaches. For nearly all people, tension headaches come and go, but for a handful of others, tension headaches can be chronic. Acupuncture is a safe form of pain relief for this condition.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupoints can be activated to stimulate a person's central nervous system. Acupuncture involves ultra-thin needles that are inserted into various acupoints in a patient's body. The insertions are either painless or they might feel like tiny pinches. When properly inserted, the needles are believed to trigger hormonal and biochemical responses from the brain and pituitary gland to help reduce the stress and inflammation that cause headaches.
Headache and Pain Relief in Maple Grove, MN
Acupuncture in the United States has developed into an accepted drug-free headache treatment option that eliminates the need for taking potentially harmful over-the-counter or possibly addictive prescription medication. Contact our team at Maple Grove Family Chiropractic in Maple Grove for an examination and consultation with either Dr. Blomdahl or Dr. Zaker. Call us today at (763) 777-5461 to schedule an appointment.