Avenue Acupuncture FAQs

Acupuncture does not have the side effects associated with medication and does virtually no harm. Some headaches are actually caused by medication overuse, leading to “rebound” headaches, which acupuncture avoids entirely.

Fine needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points, typically in the hands, feet, and head, to stimulate the peripheral nervous system and regulate the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This releases endorphins and reduces Substance P, a pain transmitter, with treatment focused on preventing future attacks rather than just reducing pain temporarily.

The exact cause of migraines isn’t fully understood, but a popular theory points to changing brain chemistry, or a rebounding shift from the sympathetic (fight or flight) system to the parasympathetic (resting) system, which causes excessive blood flow to the head and heavy pressure with each heartbeat.

Headaches fall into several categories: tension headaches (from muscle contractions due to stress, eye strain, or dehydration), migraines (severe, throbbing pain often with nausea or light sensitivity), cluster headaches (severe pain behind one or both eyes), sinus headaches (deep pain in the forehead and cheekbones), and cervicogenic headaches (originating from neck or spine pain).