• Headaches
• Migraines
• Sinus Headaches
• Tension Headaches
• Cluster Headaches

Headaches

Headache is a very common complaint and very broad in terms of possible causes. The vast majority of headaches are not life-threatening and their main repercussion is the pain itself. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for headache, especially when combined with specific acupressure techniques. There is almost always a muscular component to headaches and unless this is addressed by acupressure and tuina (Chinese massage techniques) there will be limited success. Even powerful western medical drugs do not always work for headaches because they do not address the skeleto-muscular component. We have had great clinical success treating headaches even when western medical intervention is not effective. 

Headaches can be broken down into the following categories:

Migraine

The standard description of migraine has changed somewhat over the years in western medicine. Previously certain criteria had to be met for a headache to be classified as a migraine. The pain had to be on one side of the head, it had to be preceded by an “aura” (changes in vision such as spots, flashes of light or geometric patterns), the headache had to be accompanied by nausea before or during the headache itself, and were not necessarily but commonly accompanied by aversion to bright light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). This classic “textbook” migraine pattern has been broadened to accommodate a wider range of symptoms. Now any recurring, chronic headache pattern is considered to be within the migraine category – with or without all the above symptoms. Dietary triggers can be a major factor in migraines and a careful examination of one’s diet is always indicated for migraine. By their very nature migraines can change in how they manifest over time. Depending on the brain area or nerves involved a migraine can mimic a stroke or can involve no head pain at all and just cause digestive problems (abdominal migraine). All types of migraine however are described and effectively treated within the Chinese medical model.

Sinus headache

True “sinus” headaches are actually quite rare. A migraine will cause generalized swelling in the cranium, including the tissues lining the sinus cavities. Mucus then accumulates and pressure, pain and even infections follow. However, unless the underlying migraine pattern is treated, even such drastic measures as sinus surgery are ineffective. Another possible cause of sinus headache is allergies, which cause accumulation of mucus, causing pressure and pain in the sinuses. There are specific acupuncture protocols to treat allergies.

Tension headaches

A typical tension headache arises from stress, just as its name implies. The pain is usually described like a “band” of pain around the head, from the forehead to the temples to the back of the neck. Tension headache is differentiated from migraines by the lack of nausea or visual disturbance, but again this distinction has become less rigid recently.

Cluster headaches

As their name implies, cluster headaches occur at intervals for several days and weeks with periods of remission in between. There will be several headaches a day, lasting up to an hour, and the pain is excruciating. In fact they are nicknamed “suicide headaches” because of their intensity. For unknown reasons they are much more common in men. The pain is usually on one side and typically centers around the eye, but can radiate to any part of the head or shoulder. Acupuncture treatment can be extremely effective for cluster headaches.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

Migraines (initially)
I began acupuncture therapy with 2-3 migraines a week. Each visit relieved the existing migraine to a lesser pain level. Within 4-5 visits, with the added assistance of being taught acupressure, my migraines lessened in frequency and I was able to manage the few that did occur. My visits were not restricted to migraine management, but focused on whole body wellness. Each visit began with an assessment of any pain concerns along with improvements on previous problems. I continue to use acupressure when I feel a migraine beginning and this has proven very effective. In addition to acupuncture, I also took advantage of the massage therapist on staff. The deep tissue massage felt amazing and I left feeling extremely relaxed.
- Debbie Ingram

Terrible Migraines
5 years ago after having my first daughter I developed a spinal headache that lasted nine days. Ever since that time I have suffered with headaches, especially around the time of my menses. The headaches around that time would last from 2-3 days and I would be completely useless. I started acupuncture treatments in March of 2011 and my headaches have not only decreased in length around the time of my menses, but the frequency and intensity has also decreased. I actually had an acupuncture treatment while I had a headache and after the treatment I felt like a new woman! - Jeanne Cox

Migraine Headaches
I was having 9 to 10 migraine headaches per month. After a lot of hard work on the part of Bill Zvarick we have reduced that down to 2 per month on average. Bill is a very caring person and it is important to him that his patients get better.I recommend him highly. - Richard Kline

Stress / Headaches
I had just moved to the area and I was planning our wedding...As the day neared I kept having a lot of stress related issues...I decided to try acupuncture (because I had utilized acupuncture before as a tool to help me) and found IHC...I first went to Domenic and had a fabulous first session...I started to feel relief right away! I have since gone back for any number of things (headaches etc) and have also given my husband gift cards to experience the same joys I have found...Thank you so much! - Emily Cadwell

Tension Headaches / Muscle Spasms
I began acupuncture treatments because my muscle spasms and tension headaches were too much to handle! I am a yoga teacher and always prefer alternative treatments over medication when I can - it seems drugs always come with side effects. I'd rather fix the source of the problem instead of put a bandaid on it and deal with other annoying side effects. To me acupuncture makes sense. Like yoga, its been healing people for centuries.

My schedule is a little tricky but the office got me right in. Scheduling was easy and professional. And I really love that the office handles the insurance and payments. The office atmosphere is very quiet, calm and conducive to a great experience and enjoyable treatment.

Typically my headache cycles take 2-3 weeks to resolve itself but with treatments, my cycle was cut in half. And Bill Zvarick ROCKS! In addition to the acupuncture, he incorporated acupressure which really made a difference to relieving my symptoms. He has a unique gift to really sense and feel pain along with compassion and a fun sense of humor and approach which makes the session a wonderful experience.
- Karen Dubs

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