Migraine treatment with acupuncture in Vienna

Understanding Migraine: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Options and the Role of Acupuncture

Migraine is a common neurological condition that causes recurring headaches, often described as throbbing or pulsating. The pain can range from moderate to severe and may significantly affect daily life, work and overall well-being.

Common Symptoms

Migraine symptoms vary from person to person and may include:

• Moderate to severe throbbing headache, often affecting one side of the head

• Nausea and sometimes vomiting

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

• Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia)

• Visual disturbances (migraine aura), such as flashing lights or blind spots

• Tingling sensations or temporary speech difficulties in some patients

What Causes Migraine?

The exact cause of migraine is still not fully understood. Current research suggests that a combination of genetic, neurological and environmental factors plays an important role.

Common migraine triggers include:

• Emotional stress

• Lack of sleep

• Hormonal changes

• Certain foods and drinks

• Dehydration

• Weather changes

• Irregular meals

Women are affected more frequently than men.

Different Types of Migraine

Migraine without Aura

This is the most common type. Headaches occur without neurological warning symptoms.

Migraine with Aura

Some patients experience temporary neurological symptoms before or during the headache, such as visual disturbances, tingling sensations or speech difficulties.

What Can You Do Yourself?

Many people benefit from identifying and avoiding their individual migraine triggers.

Helpful strategies include:

• Keeping a migraine diary

• Getting regular, sufficient sleep

• Staying well hydrated

• Eating regular meals

• Managing stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises or yoga

• Exercising regularly

• Reducing exposure to bright light and loud noise during an attack

• Using a cool compress on the forehead or neck

• Discussing appropriate medication with your physician when necessary

Conventional Treatment

Treatment depends on the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Possible options include:

• Pain-relieving medication

• Triptans

• Preventive medication

• Lifestyle modifications

• Behavioural therapy

Acupuncture and Migraine

Some patients choose acupuncture as an additional treatment option for migraine.

Several clinical studies suggest that acupuncture may help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in some patients. Treatment is always individualized according to each patient's symptoms and medical history.

Although acupuncture cannot guarantee improvement, many patients report fewer migraine attacks and an improved quality of life after a course of treatment.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture aims to restore the balanced flow of Qi (pronounced "chee"), the body's vital energy.

Modern medical research suggests that acupuncture may work through several biological mechanisms, including:

• Stimulation of nerves in the skin and muscles

• Release of natural pain-relieving substances such as endorphins

• Modulation of pain processing within the nervous system

• Improvement of local blood circulation

• Regulation of the autonomic nervous system, which may help reduce stress and promote relaxation

Acupuncture is widely used around the world as a complementary treatment for pain, stress-related conditions and other chronic health problems.

Like any medical treatment, individual results vary. Some patients experience significant improvement, while others notice little or no change. For this reason, no specific treatment outcome can be guaranteed.

Patient Experience

"I have suffered from frequent and severe migraines for many years. I had previously tried acupuncture with another doctor, but unfortunately without success.

I found Dr. Hobbi by chance on the internet. His patient reviews gave me hope that my migraines could improve.

I have now completed five treatments and can say that after the third session, my migraines noticeably subsided and I enjoyed a much longer migraine-free period.

I plan to continue with further treatments to see what additional improvements are possible. Based on my experience so far, I can highly recommend Dr. Hobbi."

— Nicole