Migraine Relief

Migraines can cause intense, long-lasting pain that disrupts work, family life, and daily activities. At Austin Honeysuckle Acupuncture Clinic, we offer holistic, natural treatments designed to alleviate current migraine pain and reduce the frequency of future episodes. By targeting specific pressure points, acupuncture helps ease tension, promote relaxation, and restore balance in the body’s energy, providing lasting relief from migraines.

What is a Migraine?

Migraine is a neurological condition with no known cure. Symptoms can vary, but common ones include severe head pain, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, brain fog, and dizziness.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines are complex, severe headaches triggered by activated nerves, leading to the release of inflammatory substances around the blood vessels. While each person has unique triggers, common ones include:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Alcohol consumption
• Dehydration
• Strong odors
• Hormonal changes
• Bright or flashing lights
• Weather changes
• Certain foods (e.g., caffeine, processed meats, artificial sweeteners, blue cheese, chocolate)

How is Migraine Diagnosed?

There is no definitive test for diagnosing migraines. Doctors typically rely on your symptoms, physical exams, and a review of your medical history. They may also order imaging tests like MRIs or CT scans to rule out other potential conditions.

Common Migraine Symptoms

• Moderate to severe head pain
• Throbbing or pulsating sensation in the head
• Pain that worsens with physical activity
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and smells
• Aura (visual disturbances like spots, flashes, or zig-zags in both eyes)
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Nasal congestion or runny nose

Migraine Attack Phases

Migraines unfold in distinct phases, and recognizing them is crucial to managing the condition:

• Prodrome: The onset phase, which can begin hours or days before the headache.
• Aura: Experienced by 20% of migraine sufferers, lasting 5–60 minutes, and typically reversible.
• Headache: The painful phase that can last from several hours to three days.
• Postdrome: The recovery phase, marked by lingering symptoms after the headache subsides.

How Are Migraines Treated by Acupuncture?

Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce migraine frequency. A systematic review of 22 clinical trials with 4,985 participants found that acupuncture reduces migraine frequency by 50% or more in up to 59% of patients, with results lasting over six months[1]. At Honeysuckle Acupuncture, the skilled team targets overactive nerves, tense muscles, and other migraine triggers to address both the symptoms and root causes of migraines.

Sinus Headache: Symptoms and Treatment

A true sinus headache, or rhinosinusitis, results from a sinus infection, often with thick, discolored nasal discharge. Symptoms include:

• Stuffy nose
• Facial pain
• Pressure around the eyes and cheeks
• Reduced sense of smell
• Upper teeth aching
• Fever

At Honeysuckle Acupuncture, sinus headaches are treated using acupuncture, infrared heat lamps, and Chinese herbs, helping to alleviate allergy symptoms and sinus-related pain.

Hormones and Migraine

Women are two to three times more likely than men to experience migraines, with hormonal fluctuations playing a key role. Changes in estrogen levels—especially around menstruation or during pregnancy —can lead to more frequent and intense migraines.

Symptoms of Hormone-Triggered Migraines

• Headaches occurring before or during the menstrual period
• More severe pain during this time
• Increased light sensitivity
• Nausea or vomiting in some cases

At Honeysuckle Acupuncture, Dr. Zheng Zeng (FABORM), a licensed acupuncturist and fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), specializes in hormone balancing to alleviate hormone-related migraines.