This migraine case report describes a 34-year-old woman named Sarah, who had been grappling with daily migraines for the past six months following the birth of her third child. The burden of these headaches weighed heavily on her, affecting her ability to care for her family and enjoy daily life. Frustrated by the lack of relief from conventional treatments, she turned to acupuncture.
In addition to migraines, Sarah had also developed difficulty falling asleep, fatigue, depression, dizziness, and foggy thinking. We explained to her that all of these symptoms were most likely the result of taxing her body during her recent pregnancy and delivery.
Migraine Chinese Medicine Diagnosis
Upon assessment, we identified her Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis as Spleen Qi and Heart Blood deficiency, a common imbalance seen in postpartum women. We derived this diagnosis based on her symptoms as well as the quality of her pulse an tongue. Sarah’s pulse was thin, indicating blood deficiency. And her tongue was pale, with scallop marks on the edges, reflecting both blood deficiency and Spleen Qi deficiency.
Her anxiety and difficulty sleeping pointed to an imbalance with the Heart, while her fatigue was a classic sign of Spleen Qi deficiency. Other symptoms that indicated blood deficiency included her difficulty sleeping, dizziness, and foggy brain. We explained to her that it was common for postpartum women to experience blood deficiency due to their recent loss of blood during delivery coupled with the fact that many women choose to nurse their babies. Sarah was still nursing at the time. In Chinese medicine, breast milk is a precious substance and is considered as blood. Over the course of eight acupuncture sessions, we administered a tailored treatment plan incorporating both acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Migraine Acupuncture Treatment
We utilized a time-tested migraine acupuncture protocol to reopen the channels on her head, neck, shoulders and upper back. At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have developed a number of unique protocols over the past twenty years to address stubborn, persistent health issues. When treating migraines, it is essential to restore normal Qi flow through the channels. Pain results from blocked Qi. Acupuncture points open the channels, and repeated treatments enable these energy pathways to reclaim their normal function.
In addition, we released chronically tight muscles in her neck and upper back. Blocked channels are incapable of properly nourishing the muscles, often leading to chronic stiffness and pain. By inserting needles into tight muscles, the body does two things. First, it eases the tightness. Secondly, the needles prompt the body to increase blood circulation in the affected area, helping to restore normal muscle function. Finally, we needled organ points along her back to strengthen her Spleen Qi and Heart Blood. All in all, Sarah’s treatment addressed both the root cause of her migraines and the symptoms themselves. Furthermore, we prescribed a Chinese herbal formula to strengthen her Spleen Qi and nourish her Heart Blood. She received acupuncture once a week.
Acupuncture Treatment Results for Migraines
After four sessions, Sarah’s headaches dropped from daily to twice a week. She was very encouraged by these results. We decided to continue weekly treatments in the hope of getting further relief. And sure enough, four sessions later, her migraines were completely resolved.
In addition, she also experienced improvements in other areas of her health. The cloud of depression that had loomed over her lifted, and she found herself able to once again engage with her family and daily activities. Additionally, her struggles with falling asleep, dizziness, and a foggy brain dissipated, all of which were attributed to her pattern imbalance of Spleen Qi and Heart Blood deficiency. Finally, she had more energy after months of having to push herself all the time to accomplish her daily tasks.
Migraine Case Conclusion
This holistic approach of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine addressed not only the symptoms but also the root cause of Sarah’s ailments. Through the restoration of balance within her body’s energy systems, she regained her vitality and quality of life. Sarah’s journey in this migraine case report exemplifies the profound impact that traditional Chinese medicine can have in providing relief and healing for those struggling with chronic health issues.
Migraine Case Report
Chinese medicine recognizes twenty different types of headaches. When a patient comes for treatment, we conduct an intake exam and identify their underlying pattern imbalances. We then prepare a treatment plan and start acupuncture treatment. As the patient’s pattern imbalance is corrected, their symptoms begin to ease.
In this migraine case report, Sarah had developed Spleen Qi and Heart Blood deficiency as the result of her pregnancy and delivery. We selected specific acupuncture points and Chinese herbs to address her particular imbalance and restore her body’s natural balance. Once achieved, her migraines and other symptoms naturally resolved.
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What our Clients are Saying
I saw Dr. Jade to treat my migraine headaches. I was a skeptic about acupuncture. But now, I’m a true believer in the treatment. Dr. Jade worked miracles in relieving my migraines!! She’s worth her weight in gold!! Thank you Dr. Jade!
Raleigh Acupuncture was recommended by a friend after I mentioned my insomnia and dependency on a sleeping pill. My apprehension was short lived because of the results of my visits to Dr. Mark. With acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs I was able to begin sleeping well and continue to do so. Dr. Mark is a good listener and encourages his patients in all health issues as well as the original purpose for treatment. Consequently, my knees are stronger and I’m walking better and with more confidence. I haven’t had the need for a cortisone shot in a year and a half. Occasionally, I would use a cane and it’s now somewhere gathering dust. Also, I had a persistent headache that my primary physician had no solution for, and after two acupuncture treatments it’s a thing of the past. Hot flashes were another issue that was treated successfully. I am so grateful to have found a knowledgeable and caring person to treat my ailments, many of which I thought would only grow worse as I aged. Generally, I feel healthier.
I suffered a serious concussion last year riding my mountain bike. After the accident I was getting severe headaches every day. They were so bad I couldn’t drive. I found Raleigh Acupuncture online. I liked their website and they said they treated post-concussion headaches. They got rid of the headaches and helped me with a number of other post-concussion issues like blurred vision, anxiety and insomnia. They really understood what was going on with me. I’m very grateful.
I’ve gotten migraine headaches for the past thirty years. They started as a teenager and have come once or twice a week since then. Pain medication used to work for the first ten or fifteen years, but since then nothing seemed to help. I mentioned to my doctor that I wanted to try Acupuncture and he recommended Raleigh Acupuncture. That was the best decision I’ve ever made. They not only cured my migraines, but got rid of a chronic neck pain at the same time. They gave me Chinese herbs as well, which I took for the eight weeks that I received acupuncture. They were highly professional, easy to talk to, and very informative. They explained everything they were doing and how it was working. Once the headaches stopped, I didn’t have to continue the herbs. It’s been two years and they have not returned. I go back for maintenance once a month. I’ll happily do that forever, not having to deal with migraines any more. I recommend this practice to anyone suffering from migraines.
My 14 year old daughter started getting migraines when her period started last year. They were aweful. A friend of mine suggested we try acupuncture. She went to Raleigh Acupuncture, so we made an appointment. The doctors there were so kind to my daughter. They made her feel safe and comfortable during the treatments. They cured her migraines in just eight treatments! She does not get them anymore. And her periods are so much easier than before. Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture! We are very grateful to you!
