Headaches During Pregnancy
How To Naturally Relieve Headaches During Pregnancy
Our holistic treatment approach addresses the many factors that can trigger headaches, helping you feel a deeper sense of relief.
Pregnancy Headache Relief
Women are more likely to experience headaches and migraines than men, so it’s no surprise that headaches are common during pregnancy. Pregnancy headaches usually happen in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, but can also be persistent throughout the pregnancy. Hormone fluctuations, stress, tension, and lack of sleep can all play a part in causing headaches. We’ll help you find pregnancy headache relief so that you can feel relaxed and healthy during this time.
Our Holistic Approach to Treating Headaches During Pregnancy
Frequent and/or severe headaches during pregnancy are, unfortunately, common. They can be sinus headaches, due to nasal congestion that’s common in pregnancy or can be tension headaches. Some women may also experience migraines, even if they did not occur prior to pregnancy. Our holistic approach to treating pregnancy headaches goes beyond treating just the pain, by addressing the many factors that can trigger headaches, helping you feel a deeper sense of relief.
Natural Remedies for Headaches During Pregnancy
Finding headache relief during pregnancy should involve several methods to ensure all root causes are addressed. Luckily, getting relief, even from constant headaches during pregnancy, can be achieved by taking good care of your overall health. Treatment should include staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, exercising, and finding ways to relax. Incorporating acupuncture in this plan not only boosts the effectiveness of other treatments but also improves systems throughout your body.
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture for Headaches During Pregnancy
Acupuncture helps bring relief to pregnancy headache pain caused by tension by improving blood flow to the head, neck, and shoulders. Treatments also improve sleep and increase energy by harmonizing hormones and balancing the yin and yang flowing through the body. This therapy is also effective in reducing stress and anxiety, which can trigger headaches.
During treatment, patients can expect to have acupuncture needles placed on the legs, wrists, head, and ears. Results can vary based on a number of factors, however, most patients may begin to experience results when receiving weekly treatments for 4-6 weeks.
Herbal Medicine for Pregnancy Headaches
Chinese herbs are sometimes used to reduce the frequency or intensity of pregnancy headaches. This customized medicine works to reduce pain, harmonize hormones, and balance yin and yang. Patients may also feel less stress and anxiety, which can also lead to improved sleep.
We will most likely first recommend acupuncture for treating pregnancy headaches. If Chinese herbs are deemed appropriate, it’s recommended that Chinese herbal medicine be combined with acupuncture treatments to maximize both therapies’ effectiveness. Those that take this approach typically experience increased improvement of their symptoms, quicker results, and more sustained results.
Headache Relief
…extremely happy with the results
I started visiting Transformational Acupuncture in the first trimester of my pregnancy due to constant nausea and migraines and have been extremely happy with the results. It's the only intervention that helped alleviate the symptoms. I really enjoy seeing Jamee, he's knowledgeable, competent, and has a calming demeanor that I appreciated on days I wasn't feeling great. The location just a few steps from the Dupont Circle metro is convenient.
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Are Headaches a Sign of Pregnancy?
Headaches are a common symptom of pregnancy. A sudden appearance or increase in headaches could be caused by hormone changes that occur during pregnancy.
Are Headaches Normal During Pregnancy?
Yes, pregnancy headaches are very common. Most experience headaches during the 1st and 3rd trimesters, but others may experience headaches throughout their entire pregnancy.
Where Are Pregnancy Headaches Located?
Pregnancy headaches can be tension headaches that feel like pressure around the head. Nasal congestion is also common in pregnancy, which can cause sinus headaches. Sinus headaches can feel like pressure behind the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Migraine pain will often be located on one side of the head.
What Do Pregnancy Headaches Feel Like?
Tension headaches during pregnancy can feel like mild to intense pressure around the head. Sinus headaches feel like pressure too, but it’s located behind the eyes, cheeks, and/or forehead.
When Is a Headache Dangerous During Pregnancy?
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition caused by high blood pressure. This serious condition may cause headaches. Check with your doctor regularly to monitor blood pressure and other vitals.
What Causes Headaches During Pregnancy?
Headaches during pregnancy can be triggered by many things common in pregnancy. Stress, fatigue, dehydration, hunger, low blood sugar, and nasal congestion are all possible causes of headaches. Caffeine withdrawal can also cause women to experience headaches.
Can Dehydration Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
Yes, dehydration can cause pregnancy headaches. Try to stay hydrated to reduce headaches and improve overall health.
Can Low Iron Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
Yes, experiencing low iron anemia can cause headaches. Pregnant women need twice the amount of iron as usual to make more blood to supply oxygen to the baby. In addition to headaches, anemia can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands.
Can Lack of Sleep Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
Fatigue and lack of sleep can cause headaches during pregnancy. If stress is keeping you up at night, try finding relaxing activities and exercising. Getting a massage or applying compresses can help relieve tension that can disrupt peaceful sleep.
Can Sleeping on Your Back During Pregnancy Cause Headaches?
Sleeping on your back during pregnancy, especially during the 3rd trimester, can put pressure on veins, lowering blood pressure. Low blood pressure and poor circulation can cause headaches.
Can Constipation Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
Constipation is fairly common later during pregnancy. Having both constipation and headaches can be a sign of an underlying condition, so it’s important to report any symptoms to your doctor.
Can Anemia Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
Anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells needed to carry oxygen through the body. Since women need twice as much iron in their system during pregnancy, low iron anemia can occur. This condition can cause headaches.
Can Sugar Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
Yes, eating sugar can actually cause low blood sugar, which can result in a headache.
Can Caffeine Cause Headaches During Pregnancy?
If you’ve given up or greatly reduced your caffeine intake during pregnancy, caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches.
When Do Headaches Stop During Pregnancy?
Headaches during the 1st and 3rd trimesters are common. Usually, the 2nd trimester gives women a break from headaches, but can still occur.
What Helps With Headaches During Pregnancy?
There are a number of ways to find headache relief during pregnancy. Improve your health and reduce headaches by getting plenty of rest, hydrating, enjoying a massage to relieve tension, applying warm compresses, exercising, relaxing, and avoiding any triggers (certain smells or allergens). Acupuncture treatments are also effective in relieving the frequency and/or severity of headaches.
Can Acupuncture Help With Headaches During Pregnancy?
Yes, acupuncture can help with headaches during pregnancy. It’s a great way to improve circulation, balance hormones, improve sleep, and reduce stress levels.
How Does Acupuncture Help Pregnancy Induced Headaches?
Acupuncture lessens pregnancy headache frequency and/or intensity by improving blood flow to the head, neck, and shoulders. Treatments also bring relief to headache pain that is caused by hormones, fatigue, and stress.
Can Herbal Medicine Relieve Pregnancy headaches?
We have several herbs that we use for pregnancy headache relief and pregnancy support. We will recommend herbs only after a consultation.
What To Expect
You can expect to find a partner in your health journey.
At Transformational Acupuncture, we strive to provide a welcoming environment to each and every patient. We understand traditional healthcare can make some wary of seeking help, even if it’s for the betterment of their health. That’s why we take a holistic approach when treating each person. You will be listened to, treated with respect, and be seen as a true partner in your own health journey.
At the beginning of your treatment you’ll be asked some basic questions so we can establish a good baseline. From there we’ll discuss your specific needs and issues. After hearing from you, we’ll create a holistic plan that is designed to help you live the balanced, healthy life you deserve.
Your Patient Journey
At the beginning of your treatment, you’ll be asked some basic questions so we can establish a good baseline. From there we will discuss your specific needs and issues. After hearing from you, we will create a holistic plan that is designed to help you live the balanced, healthy life you deserve.
Learn more about your complete patient journey.
Get Started Today
Begin your holistic health journey by scheduling an appointment today. Schedule online or give us a call at (202) 297-7404.
To learn if your insurance covers acupuncture and other treatments, please fill out our short form to verify your benefits with us.
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