The 24th-30th of September is Migraine Awareness Week and its purpose is to raise awareness of this condition, which sadly affects many people. With traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), when it comes to  headaches and migraines we will usually look at structural problems, such as hormone imbalance or digestive problems and as a rule of thumb, we can treat all of the issues with the various therapies we have available.

What causes headaches and migraines? 

Stress is a major factor with headaches and migraines. Stress can disrupt the hormonal system, the digestive system and of course your overall structure, encouraging cortisol levels to cause a rise in inflammation throughout the whole body. Other triggers may include anxiety or insomnia.

For headaches, the environment can be a factor, for example, changes in the weather or your hormones, or even changes to your food intake. For migraines, food, alcohol, caffeine, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, stress and genetics can all have an effect.

What is the difference between a headache and a migraine? 

Migraines tend to be more severe than headaches and often come with nausea, blurred vision, vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise. Headaches tend to be less intense, however both can be debilitating.

How do we treat headaches?

At Touch Tuina we can use a wide range of treatments including Tuina Massage, Auriculotherapy, Acupuncture & Kiniesiology. If you’re experiencing headaches or migraines and would like to find out more about how we could help, feel free to get in touch to book an appointment.