Menstrual migraines can be a challenging pattern of monthly life for anyone who has suffered from it. It can lead to missed days of work or special events. It can also greatly limit what someone can do during these days leading up to their periods. Low estrogen levels prior to start of periods have been connected with migraine occurrence. Besides, conventional hormonal contraceptives and NSAIDS use other complementary therapies should be considered.
Acupuncture can be a wonderful place to start for the busy and or stressed individual. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of the 12 meridians and their influence on the energetic balance of the body.
I commonly see patients who have difficulties not only with migraines but they may also have painful periods, nausea and vomiting, and or inconsistent length of cycles.
Assessment usually involves looking at the tongue and feeling the pulse prior to a patient’s treatment. In addition, I will use the Hara Diagnosis which is a Japanese acupuncture style to assess the movement of energetic channels. Palpation is done along the lower abdomen reviewing reflection zones. Extremities are also palpated searching for fire points, or areas of “stuck” energy along a meridian. Common areas that are tender for those with migraines are in the: Oketsu, Liver region, behind the head or over the forehead, and over the lower abdomen near the stomach or spleen meridians.
Acupuncture physical exam video
Using the above assessment, needles are placed to best relieve these reflections zones or fire point disturbances which will then represent an improved movement of energy in the body.
Cupping can also be particularly helpful for migraine sufferers as blood stagnation in regions around the head, neck and or upper shoulders is quite common.
Acupuncture Meridians Influenced by Hormonal Migraines:
| Properties | Predispositions | |
| Liver | Element: Wood
Strength: Leadership and sense of direction/focus, associated with ovaries and tendons |
Supported by setting boundaries and even-temperedness. Deficiency leads to lack of direction, overbearing personality, and anger |
| Spleen | Element: Earth
Strength: Helper personality, Compassionate and associated with muscles and limbs |
Supported by grounding and sense of home. Deficiency is associated with sugar cravings and increased worry |
| Kidney | Element: Water
Strength: Calm, Jing or Original Qi energy |
Supported by music and quiet. Deficiency is associated with exhaustion and lack of willpower |
Acupuncture is a traditional medicine approach to promote the healing of the body through use of 12 energetic channels, also known as meridians. It is an interplay of activating these channels using fine acupuncture needles, placed on acupuncture points, opening the mind-body towards a healing state.
Many acupuncture patients find the experience to be relaxing and renewing. It promotes not only a healing process but also a way of learning to connect with your body in a positive way.
Treatment sessions are typically 60 minutes long and consecutive weekly treatments starting at 4-6 treatment sessions can provide the most benefit and progress towards improvement of the health state.
Zhiling Trowbridge, MD is a family medicine physician and medical acupuncturist trained in Kiiko Matsumoto Style Acupuncture and French Energetics. Acupuncture 15 minute complimentary phone reviews can be booked on the Integrative Wellness Grand Rapids website.