Cluster Headache Treatment using Neuro-Acupuncture

Cluster headaches have been associated with the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG). At Inner Light Wellness, our acupuncture treatment for these forms of headaches is focused on the direct stimulation of the SPG. This approach offers significant improvement in cluster headache pain.

Here, the objective of acupuncture treatment is to achieve long-term remission of the headache. When we have patients suffering from extreme headaches, our goal is to bring about a significant reduction in severity and frequency.

Acupuncture works in the following ways to overcome your cluster headaches:

• Pain Relief: Acupuncture stimulates nerves located in muscles and vascular tissues to release endorphins and neurohumoral factors. It also works by changing the way pain is processed in the brain and spinal cord.
• Reduced Inflammation: It helps reduce inflammation through the release of immunomodulatory and vascular factors.
• Improved Circulation: Acupuncture helps improve circulation through the modulation of intracranial and extracranial blood flow.

There are even more ways that acupuncture works to improve the severity and frequency of your cluster headaches. For example, it affects the levels of serotonin in the brain. It is believed that serotonin may somehow be connected to the initiation of these headaches. Acupuncture also helps reduce the level of cortical spreading depression.

At your first visit, we will go over your symptoms and health history to determine if you are a candidate for care. Then we will recommend a customized treatment plan with just the right combination of acupuncture therapies that work best for your unique symptoms. You may receive treatment on your first visit.

Treatment frequency will vary based on your specific condition however, most people with active cluster headaches start with three visits per week for the first few weeks then move to two visits per week. Once you are improving between the visits, we reduce the frequency until you are on once per month maintenance visits. Patients who follow this protocol achieve long lasting results with cluster headaches.

Most patients report improvement after several weeks of care. Remember, cluster headaches have been with you for some time and pain relief can depend on many variables such as the cause of your pain, your current health status, medications, diet and lifestyle. Rest assured, we see at least an 85% success rate for our patients receiving acupuncture for sinus headaches.

If you or a loved one have been suffering from cluster headaches, you have many reasons to rely on our acupuncture therapy. Our lead acupuncturist has over 25 years of clinical experience and has treated tens of thousands of patients. She is a licensed, board certified, Level 3 Certified Neuro Acupuncturist and would love the opportunity to help you live pain free.