Migraines are a neurological disorder

My story: Kourtney Zamora, L.Ac. My family and kids are MY reason. My reason for keeping myself healthy and my reason for wanting to help others along their journey. 
I personally know what it's like to suffer with pain and migraines. I used to suffer with migraines about 3-6 days per month with tension headaches 10-15 days per month. That's a lot! If you know how debilitating a migraine is, it can really take a lot out of you. This went on for a decade.
With dietary changes and acupuncture I get maybe 2-3 migraines per YEAR. It's life changing. It takes a little bit to go through the journey, but we can change our path. You really don't have to suffer. I get so much more quality time with my family and that to me is worth so much. 

Acupuncture at The Pines
At The Pines Acupuncture, Gig Harbor​ we treat migraines with a holistic approach. Migraines are debilitating and it's important to find the cause. When treating migraines naturally, you need to get to the root cause of the migraines. Some people are sensitive to different foods, some are sensitive to stress, others have menstrual migraines and the list goes on. My job is to present this information to you so that we can investigate your unique set of symptoms. I help patients navigate healthier choices and give nutritional advice that is tailored to each patient in COMBINATION with acupuncture to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. You really don't have to suffer! 


About Migraines
Migraines are a type of headache that have real and definite changes to the brain. Previously, migraines were thought of as a disorder of the blood vessels in the head as the primary source of pain. We now know that migraines involve nerve pathways and brain chemicals! Since migraines are a neurological condition, they can come in waves and flare ups. You can do many things to keep these flare ups minimal or non-existent with enough persistence. 


SEEDS -Limit migraine triggers by having great ‘headache hygiene’
Sleep: Regular sleep cycles.
Eating: No processed foods. Low histamine. High alkaline foods, low acidic foods. 
Exercise: 3 thirty minute sessions per week, get your heart rate up! 
Drinking: 6-8 cups of water daily, proper electrolyte balance, limit caffeine and alcohol. 
Stress: De-stress daily! Yoga, acupuncture, hot bath, meditation, hiking, ect.




Diet: 
Eat this
Eat all the colors! Mango, pear, kiwi, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, banana, cherries. Kale, carrots, snap peas, broccoli, swiss chard, sweet potato, zucchini. Grass fed meat and pasture raised eggs. Fresh fish, rice, quinoa.  
Drinks: Ginger tea, almond milk
Oils: Cold pressed coconut oil (for cooking) or olive oil (salads).


Not that    
Refined sugars and refined wheat. 
PROCESSED FOODS! Including processed meats (deli meat, cured bacon) 
Avoid cheese, most dairy. Limit wine, coffee and chocolate. 
High histamine foods- fermented foods, leftover foods, walnuts, cashews, vinegar.


The role of acupuncture in migraine treatment:
Acupuncture is a great natural alternative to reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines. Acupuncture can treat migraines without the use of harsh pharmaceuticals with a long list of side effects. 

By stimulating specific points on the body a wave of natural painkillers release from our brain in response to the nervous system. Acupuncture relaxes muscles in the neck and shoulders, reduces stress and reduces cortisol levels. Many people receiving acupuncture fall asleep during their treatment or feel a deep sense of relaxation over their whole body.

-Kourtney Zamora, EAMP 
Acupuncturist at The Pines Acupuncture in Gig Harbor, WA
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