Anyone that has experienced a migraine can tell you how truly debilitating they can be. Most commonly, migraines cause extreme pain throughout the head in either a strong pulsing sensation or sharp throbbing. Migraines in Bremerton can be accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound as well as nausea and vomiting. For some people, migraines can give warning signs before their arrival. These signs include a tingling sensation in the skull, bright flashes of light, or temporary vision loss. Migraines are not picky and can affect any one at any time. Although most people with frequent migraines start getting them in adolescence, this isn’t always the case.

A migraine can have up to four stages: prodrome, aura, headache, and post drome. Let’s break it down. When experiencing the “prodrome” stage of a migraine one might feel extreme random thirst; thus leading to frequent urination, stiff muscles, being more tired than normal, and mood swings one or two days before your migraine hits full force. The second stage is “aura”. While this stage is the most rare it is good to know the warning signs such as vision loss, vision blurring, random specks of light; sometimes flashing light, numbness in the limbs or face, and muscle spasms. Then the attack of the actual migraine arrives. A migraine has the ability to last days if it is left untreated. Post drome, the final stage of the migraine. This stage can leave you feeling confused, moody, and exhausted. Some people can feel elated as the post drome phase takes over, but not everyone is that lucky.

Treatment For Migraines in Bremerton

Let’s talk about treatment. Migraines are typically untreated and therefore left undiagnosed. If you have experienced a migraine, it is extremely important that you talk with your healthcare provider about your options. In western medicine migraines are typically treated with pharmaceuticals. This is not your only option! As we continue to evolve, more and more people are starting to seek out a more naturopathic way to get healthy. These options can range from traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care, and acupuncture at Bremerton Wellness. Out of these, acupuncture is a great treatment choice.

Acupuncture is a time-tested procedure and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. A small series of needles are used to lightly penetrate the skin surface in different acupressure points. These specific points are used to stimulate the nervous system and send signals to the brain that will tell the brain to release neural hormones, like beta-endorphins. These endorphins help the body naturally manage its own pain by reducing inflammation. This then releases the bodies “qi”. “Qi”, pronounced “chee”, is described as your body’s energy & life force, by doing this some people can feel euphoric and happy. It is believed that this practice clears your body’s energy channels, called meridians, and restores your “qi” back to its proper working order. The term “needles” can be scary, but please know that these needles do not hurt! Most people describe the feeling as “tingly”, mostly a light tingle that spreads to a warming numbness across the body. In Western Medicine many doctors will prescribe opioid based medication, which is highly addictive and a known drug that is killing people in our communities. Acupuncture at Bremerton Wellness in Bremerton is a natural and safe way to reap benefits using only tiny needles!