Migraines are often caused by stress
Stress is one of the most significant causes of migraine headaches. Recent research has indicated that up to 80% of migraine sufferers listed stress and anxiety as triggers for their attacks.
One of the main ways in which stress can lead to migraines is in the accumulation of muscular tension in the neck and shoulders, restricting blood supply to the head.
Chinese Medicine works in the treatment of migraines
Research has shown that Chinese Medicine, in the forms of acupuncture and herbal medicine, is at least as good as pharmaceutical medicine in treating migraines (Van Kleef et al, 2009).
In this respect, acupuncture works by releasing muscular tension which is restricting blood supply to tissues surrounding the head, and herbal medicine works by releasing constriction of blood vessels which supply the brain.
Deal with stress before it becomes a headache
In addition to Chinese Medicine approaches to treating migraines, at Thrive we also provide instruction in Mindfulness meditation and Breathing Training which are proven methods of improving our ability to react to stressful situations in a more relaxed manner, and preventing many of the chronic health problems associated with stress.
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(1) Van Kleef M, Mekhail N, van Zundert J. Evidence-based guidelines for interventional pain medicine according to clinical diagnoses. Pain Pract 2009;9:247–251
