A migraine headache is defined is a severe, pulsating, one-sided headache, lasting from 4 to 72 hours and which is aggravated by routine physical activity.  Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and/or sensitivity to light and sound.  In addition, visual disturbances (auras) lasting from 4 to 60 minutes, may occur either before or during a migraine headache.

One of the best alternative therapies for a migraine headache is acupuncture combined with the ancient practice or “cupping”.  Cups are round vessels, 1″ to 3″ in diameter, which are applied to the body with vacuum suction.  The vacuum is created either by means of heating the air inside the cup or by a mechanical pump.  The result is that the cup sticks to the body and creates a local area of low pressure, which causes the blood to gather under the cup near the surface of the body.  The result is an immediate improvement of circulation.  In particular, cupping helps to regulate the tension in the arteries…helping to relax overly tense arteries and tighten those that are too lax.  Cupping certain areas on the back can produce this regulating effect throughout the entire body.

There are several different types of migraine headaches. One type in particular comes on a regular basis and can be predicted with accuracy. For example, they might come only once every three months or as often as once a week. If you suffer from this kind of headache that comes with a predictable regularity, there is a high probability that you would benefit from a specific diet therapy for migraine headaches. In particular, there are certain foods that can act as a migraine trigger. The most common problem foods are:

- tannins in tea, red wine and apple cider
- chocolate
- aged cheese
- other dairy products
- nuts, especially peanuts
- poultry, including eggs
- caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks
- sulfites in processed meats and seafood
- beef
- wheat
- yeast from yeasted bread, beer, wine, etc.
- food additives such as MSG, artificial sweeteners (especially those containing Aspartame) and food colorings
- heavily processed or packaged foods
- citrus fruit, including pineapple and mango

If you suffer from headaches that occur with predictable regularity, I recommend the following dietary regiment.

Beginning 3 days before your headache is expected, follow a strict diet of brown rice, mung dal (thick split mung bean soup), steamed vegetables, sea salt and olive oil. During this time, no other spices, foods or supplements  should be consumed except pure, room temperature water.

My clients who follow this regiment find in many cases that the headache does not come at all. Or, the headache still may come with normal regularity, but is much less severe and shorter in duration than before.

This diet will not only reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches, but it’s very cleansing while at the same time, nutritious and satisfying. Remember, you are only on this diet for three days before the expected headache and during the normal headache duration. If no headache comes, remain on the diet for the duration of a typical headache. For example, if you typically get a headache every three weeks and it lasts foe 2 days, you should begin this diet three days before the expected headache and remain on it for 5 days. Follow this regiment every three weeks.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

A migraine headache is defined is a severe, pulsating, one-sided headache, lasting from 4 to 72 hours and which is aggravated by routine physical activity. Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and/or sensitivity to light and sound. In addition, visual disturbances (auras) lasting from 4 to 60 minutes, may occur either before or during a migraine headache.

Migraines are sometimes called vascular headaches because they involve a restriction in blood flow to the brain. Stress, or some other trigger, causes muscle tension and spasm at the base of the skull, restricting the blood supply to the brain. In response, blood vessels in and around the brain dilate in order to compensate for the reduced oxygen. The pressure of these dilating arteries on cranial nerves causes the severe throbbing pain associated with migraine headaches.

One of the best alternative therapies for a migraine headache is Japanese acupuncture combined with the ancient practice or “cupping”. Cups are round vessels, 1″ to 3″ in diameter, which are applied to the body with vacuum suction. The vacuum is created either by means of heating the air inside the cup or by a mechanical pump. The local area of low pressure causes the blood to gather under the cup near the surface of the body, creating an immediate improvement in circulation. In particular, cupping helps to reset or regulate the tension in the arteries… helping to relax overly tense arteries and tighten those that are too lax. Cupping certain areas on the back can produce this regulating effect throughout the entire body.

In addition to acupuncture and cupping, dietary and lifestyle changes can often help to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. In this regard, the following suggestions may be helpful.

1) Experiment avoiding foods that are known to trigger migraines for some people. The most common problem foods, in order of importance, are:

• tannins in tea, red wine and apple cider
• chocolate
• aged cheese
• other dairy products
• peanuts
• poultry, including eggs
• caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks
• sulfites in processed meats and seafood
• beef
• wheat
• food additives such as MSG, artificial sweeteners (especially those containing Aspartame) and food colorings
• heavily processed or packaged foods

To find out if any of these foods are a trigger for you, experiment by eliminating one at a time for a couple of weeks and observe any change in the frequency or severity of your headaches. In addition, a number of prescription medications can cause migraine headaches in some people. Read the information sheet which comes with your medication and if headaches are a possible side effect, consult with your doctor to see if an alternative medication can be prescribed.

2) Feverfew herbal capsules – 125 mg. per day and containing at least 0.2% parthenolide. Check the label to make sure it contains standardized 0.2% parthenolide. This herb works best as a preventative and may be taken every day in the above dose. If a migraine occurs, take 500 mg. in one dose and do not take any more Feverfew that day.

3) Magnesium (Citrate or Amino Acid Chelate) – begin with 200 to 250 mg per day and gradually increase your dose up to 400 mg. If your stools become loose, back down the dosage to a comfortable level.

4) Exercise moderately, but every day. Exercise helps to regulate blood chemistry as well as vascular tension. It’s best to alternate with different exercises which move the major muscle groups of the body. Bicycling, rowing and swimming are excellent “non-impact” exercises.

5) Drink plenty of water. Your body weight divided by 2.5 equates to the minimum number of ounces of pure water (including juice) you should drink every day. It’s best to drink water mostly between meals.

6) Take flaxseed + borage oil complex – 1 to 2 tablespoons per day.

7) Two or three times each week, drink celery juice alone or combined with carrot, cucumber, spinach and/or parsley. Or, two 8-ounce glasses of this juice per day can be taken as a preventative, instead of Feverfew capsules.

Precautionary Note
Persistent headaches can be a sign of a serious health problem. If you have frequent or persistent headaches, it is recommended that you consult with your health care professional.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805