“How many acupuncture treatments are needed for migraines?”
I have migraines and want to treat them. How many acupuncture treatments are needed for migraines?
21 Answers
We start with 6 sessions at 2x a week for 3 weeks. Everyone responses differently to treatment but usually expect you to be 30-40% better by the 6th session. Then we will taper down to every other week, so on and so forth.
How many treatments you need depends on the severity, frequency and duration of your migraines. Your acupuncturist can determine the number of treatments after doing a full intake and diagnosing your imbalances.
Here is our newsletter and some additional information about headaches and migraine relief using acupuncture and TCM: https://healingwithzen.com/what-we-heal/migraines-headaches/
https://healingwithzen.com/9-acupressure-points-for-headaches-migraines/
Some of our testimonials:
https://healingwithzen.com/migraines-testimonials/
Hope this was helpful!
Here is our newsletter and some additional information about headaches and migraine relief using acupuncture and TCM: https://healingwithzen.com/what-we-heal/migraines-headaches/
https://healingwithzen.com/9-acupressure-points-for-headaches-migraines/
Some of our testimonials:
https://healingwithzen.com/migraines-testimonials/
Hope this was helpful!
A patient had headaches for 5 years Five years later the headaches turned into migraines. The migraines covered the whole head and face, and they came with vertigo almost every single time. It was pretty painful behind the eyes (pressure was normal). Weather changes, caffeine, fluorescent light, noises, etc., made it worse. Various medications and injections did not help.
Two sessions of acupuncture later, the migraines were limited to the forehead and a little behind the eyes. Four sessions later, the pain behind her eyes was gone. She said, after the 8th session, she had not had any episode of headache. The only thing left was the eye pain, but it was a pain in the eyes, not the pain behind the eyes.
When she came back for the 10th session, she said the migraines came back but were not as frequent as they used to be. Whenever she laughed, heard other people laugh, or heard other loud voices, she would have migraines for a few days. However, the vertigo never came back. Fifteen sessions later, the migraines, the vertigo, the pain behind the eyes, and the pain in the eyes were all resolved. Starting the 16th session, we moved on to the next condition, hot flash.
Two sessions of acupuncture later, the migraines were limited to the forehead and a little behind the eyes. Four sessions later, the pain behind her eyes was gone. She said, after the 8th session, she had not had any episode of headache. The only thing left was the eye pain, but it was a pain in the eyes, not the pain behind the eyes.
When she came back for the 10th session, she said the migraines came back but were not as frequent as they used to be. Whenever she laughed, heard other people laugh, or heard other loud voices, she would have migraines for a few days. However, the vertigo never came back. Fifteen sessions later, the migraines, the vertigo, the pain behind the eyes, and the pain in the eyes were all resolved. Starting the 16th session, we moved on to the next condition, hot flash.
4 treatments per year of problem
It varies, usually 6-10 times, in some cases, re-addressing the issue in 6 months.
Probably treatment would require three months.
That is impossible to say without knowing your health history. I do not know the root of your issue. They could be hormone related, caused by work or home environmental toxins, stress, dietary restrictions.....a multitude of factors. Have you seen your PCP about the migraines? First, make sure nothing more serious is to blame. Have you been tested for food allergies? Neck pain can sometimes result in migraines, you might want to get a chiropractic adjustment or a shiatsu massage??? Your doctor will want to take blood labs to see if there isn't something your diet is lacking. Drink more water every day, avoid caffeine and chocolate and alcohol. Do stretches of the neck several times daily. Get plenty of decent, restful, REM sleep. Exercise as often as you are able with the pain. Try all of these for a week and see if there isn't a change. Good luck!!
That is a difficult question because there is a great difference between one migraine and another.On top of that if you are very stress it will always take longer because many stressed people have very tight muscle shoulders and neck. It is one of my favorites to treat, but in general it is not a fast problem to get rid of , but it is one of the best ways .
Everyone is different and the number of treatments depends on what's going
No cure for migraine, it could take 12 to 15 to remission, but migraine pain relief could be faster!
Good question, I can't tell you for sure. There are many causes for migraines and much different severity and frequency of them as well, so it really depends on the cause, how you respond, the acupuncturist, and, heck, is there a big storm about to hit? (My migraines can be triggered by weather shifts) After the first treatment, you should feel more relaxed and sleep well that evening, usually, after 3 you will have a good idea of the effect on your migraines. Reduction in frequency is generally the first place you will see results. I hope you feel better and stay hydrated!
Hello!
As with all things Chinese medicine, this medicine is individualized and depends upon the reason for you having migraines which would be determined after a thorough intake and then a recommended treatment plan can be made. We would consider the location, quality/severity of pain, frequency, duration, timing, how long this has been going on, etc. as well as looking at your digestion, menstrual cycle, sleep, and other such pieces that play into migraines. Acupuncture and herbal medicine is a very effective treatment for migraines and I highly encourage you visit your closest Chinese medicine practitioner that has experience with this to learn more about what you specifically need.
Be well,
Jenny
As with all things Chinese medicine, this medicine is individualized and depends upon the reason for you having migraines which would be determined after a thorough intake and then a recommended treatment plan can be made. We would consider the location, quality/severity of pain, frequency, duration, timing, how long this has been going on, etc. as well as looking at your digestion, menstrual cycle, sleep, and other such pieces that play into migraines. Acupuncture and herbal medicine is a very effective treatment for migraines and I highly encourage you visit your closest Chinese medicine practitioner that has experience with this to learn more about what you specifically need.
Be well,
Jenny
Migraines have origins from different places. They can be triggered by problems in your neck, hormones, blood pressure (hypo or hyper), thyroid disease, and sugar levels among other things.
The idea for the treatment to be successful is in finding out the root cause of the migraine and treat that.
I have had patients feel relief with as little as three treatments, taking others longer to feel better.
The idea for the treatment to be successful is in finding out the root cause of the migraine and treat that.
I have had patients feel relief with as little as three treatments, taking others longer to feel better.
It can take 4-6 sessions, all factors considered.
Yolanda Vasquez
Yolanda Vasquez
There is no exact amount as all patients are different as well as the cause of the migraines. That being said most patients at least feel significant relief after 5 treatments
It depends on the severity of the migraines. Acupuncture combined with herbs, and sometimes massage, can be very effective in treating migraines.
Yes. I encourage you to book a session with your practitioner of choice to get help with relief.
I think 3-4 treatments is enough.
Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo
Acupuncturist
I don't know enough about you to answer this with any realistic accuracy. But in general, patients usually respond after 1-10 treatments at least weekly. Find a fully trained professional in Chinese medicine, possessing a master's degree AND 5+ years experience in this field. MDs, DOs, Chiropractors, and even Physical Therapists (dry needling) are able to do what looks like acupuncture (but isn't) with a couple weekends of training or less. I would NOT let any of these inadequately trained people NEAR ME. :-) Buyer Beware!
Everyone is different. I have some people who go through a series and then don't need to come in anymore, and others who I have to see periodically to keep them from coming back.
I'd need a lot more information to even hazard a guess on how many treatments might be necessary. Chinese medicine is individualized. This approach cuts two ways:
1. Not everyone experiences the same or similar symptoms for the same underlying reason(s). Since the underlying causes can be different, the treatments have to be different.
2. Not everyone responds the same way to acupuncture or herbal medicine. Some people get results very quickly, some people get results more slowly, and some people - no matter who the provider or how many visits - never get results. Currently, there's no good way to predict which of these cases you, as an individual, might fall into.
It also matters how severe the migraine and how long you've been experiencing them. Chronic issues often take longer to reach resolution, all other things being equal. All that being said, I specialize in pain management and I work a lot with migraines and headaches. Speaking very generally, I usually have the pain levels, episodic frequency, or both trending downwards by the 4th or 5th visit. A full course of treatment might be in the 10-12 range. I've had people go shorter and I've had people go longer. If you decide to pursue acupuncture for this issue, please make sure your provider is NCCAOM board certified and licensed by your state as an acupuncturist.
1. Not everyone experiences the same or similar symptoms for the same underlying reason(s). Since the underlying causes can be different, the treatments have to be different.
2. Not everyone responds the same way to acupuncture or herbal medicine. Some people get results very quickly, some people get results more slowly, and some people - no matter who the provider or how many visits - never get results. Currently, there's no good way to predict which of these cases you, as an individual, might fall into.
It also matters how severe the migraine and how long you've been experiencing them. Chronic issues often take longer to reach resolution, all other things being equal. All that being said, I specialize in pain management and I work a lot with migraines and headaches. Speaking very generally, I usually have the pain levels, episodic frequency, or both trending downwards by the 4th or 5th visit. A full course of treatment might be in the 10-12 range. I've had people go shorter and I've had people go longer. If you decide to pursue acupuncture for this issue, please make sure your provider is NCCAOM board certified and licensed by your state as an acupuncturist.
