Migraines are a neurological condition that can cause intense headaches that can affect one or multiple areas of the head.
Many people live with the debilitating symptoms of migraines, in fact the statistics show that 4.9 million Australians experience migraines per year and over 7% of those suffer with chronic migraines. (1)
There is an estimated prevalence of 11.96 % in males and 28.66% in females that are affected from migraines, so unfortunately – statistics show women live with migraines more than men! (1)
Migraines can occur at any given time and usual begin with throbbing and pulsating painful sensations. They can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to loud noises or light exposure.
Headaches and migraines are mainly divided into two categories.
Primary
These are headaches that are not caused by another condition such as a migraine, tension or cluster headache.
Secondary
These are headaches that can be the outcome of other underlying causes such as sinus congestion, irregular menstruation, temporomandibular disorder, medications or tumours.
At komyuniti our approach to assisting you begins with determining what type of headache or migraine you are living with – be it primary or secondary. We use our clinical skills and experience to look at your case as a whole and address the source not just the symptoms.
Our team lead by the clinic director Dr Daniel Ooi have developed an evidence based natural headache and migraine treatment strategy that is unique to komyuniti.
Our initial consult can last up to 60 minutes, this is so we can fully understand all the various causes and reasons that may be contributing to your headache and overall pain.
That’s why we have developed our unique treatment strategy that involves a three-step process.
Step one: Detailed examination and assessment
Our ability to undertake a full assessment is vital for a successful clinical outcome.
Assessing your core muscles, joints, nerves, digestion and hormones is integral. We also analyse your overall stress levels and lifestyle choices as these can also be contributing factors that may cause headaches and migraines.
In this initial assessment you can expect:
Step Two: Identification
Through our thorough examination and tests, we will have worked out which muscles are to be treated, identified nerves that need to be targeted and neuropathways that are to be activated.
We would also use our expertise in eastern and natural medicine to identify internal imbalances specifically, inflammatory markers and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your headache.
As an outcome of all of this we would provide you with an individualised combination of techniques and strategies to address your pain.
Step Three: Treatment and prescription
At komyuniti every client is unique and therefore our approach will vary and will be tailored to each individual. The treatments that are provided could range from:
By using the right combination of methods, we work to release muscles, restore musculoskeletal function and range of motion and mobility.
Our work will also move highly oxygenated blood into the target areas, regulate neurogenic inflammation and control systemic or local inflammation and deactivate the right pain centers within the brain. (2)
This comprehensive treatment plan will provide a complete approach to help manage headaches and migraines naturally.
Our treatment utilises an evidence-based approach to headaches and migraines. We have years of experience and pride ourselves on being educated in the very latest research to help guide what we do.
Without research, there would be no success.
Here is a brief overview of the research that backs our work:
Acupuncture for the prevention of tension type headaches.
The Cochrane review which included 12 trials with a total of 2349 participants concluded that “acupuncture is effective in treating frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches.”
Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Fei Y, Mehring M, Shin BC, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4:Cd007587.
Role of Acupuncture in the Treatment or Prevention of Migraine, Tension-Type Headache, or Chronic Headache Disorders.
A systematic review and meta‐analyses found that “acupuncture provided effective clinical outcomes compared to routine care.” The option of acupuncture was also deemed as a cost-effective tool.
Coeytaux RR, Befus D. Role of Acupuncture in the Treatment or Prevention of Migraine, Tension-Type Headache, or Chronic Headache Disorders. Headache. 2016 Jul;56(7):1238-40.
Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine.
The Cochrane systematic review of 22 trials including 4985 participants in total concluded that “the evidence suggested by incorporating acupuncture into a treatment can reduce the frequency of headaches and migraines”.
Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Fei Y, Mehring M, Vertosick EA, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016(6):Cd001218.
A randomized trial of trigger point dry needling versus sham needling for chronic tension-type headache.
A recent randomised control study from 2019 concluded that “the clinical trial suggest that trigger point dry needling in patients with chronic tension-type headache is effective and safe in reducing headache intensity, frequency and duration, and increasing health-related quality of life.”
Gildir S, Tuzun EH, Erglu G, Eker L, et al. A randomized trial of trigger point dry needling versus sham needling for chronic tension type-headache. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb; 98(8): e 14520.
Efficacy of manual therapy in the treatment of tension-type headache. A systematic review from 2000-2013.
A systematic review of manual therapy indicated that the results suggest “patients with TTH receiving manual therapies showed better progress than those receiving conventional treatment or placebo.”
Lozano C, Mesa J, De La Hoz JL, Pareja J, Fernandez C. Efficacy of manual therapy in the treatment of tension-type headache. A systematic review from 2000-2013. Nurologia. 2016 Jul; 31(6) 357-69.
The effect of wet-cupping on the severity of migraine headaches: Randomized controlled clinical trial.
The researchers of the trial “found a statistically significant reduction in migraine headache pain following the performance of wet cupping in a series of sessions.”
Kaki A, Sawsa R, Samiha M, Al Jaouni S, Elalah MA and Ibrahim N. Wet Cupping Reduces Pain and Improves Health-related Quality of Life Among Patients with Migraine: A Prospective Observational Study. Oman Medical Journal. 2019 March; 34(2): 105-109.
Soft Tissue Mobilizations as a Treatment for a Tension-Type Headache.
“The application of soft tissue and neural mobilization techniques to patients with frequent tension-type headaches or chronic tension-type headaches induces significant changes.”
Ferragut-Gracias A, Plaza-Manzano G, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Velasco-Roldan O, Pecos-Martin D, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca J, Llabres-Bennasar B and Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A. Soft Tissue Mobilizations as a Treatment for a Tension-Type Headache. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2017 Feb; 98(2): 211-219.
Written By Daniel Ooi (Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Doctor)
At Komyuniti, we look at your health the same way. We don’t just treat symptoms or try to solve problems when they arise. We see your body, and understand that when you’re truly healthy, it’s because your mind, body, and spirit are all moving in the same direction.
We deliver Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Remedial Massage and Naturopathy and nutritional advice to our valued communities of Melbourne, North Melbourne, West Melbourne, East Melbourne, Fitzroy, Clifton Hill, Carlton, Collingwood, Abbotsford, Richmond and beyond.
To book in your session with us and start treating your migraines naturally, please click here.