Gina has had intense headaches since her mid twenties. They wipe her out for three days no matter what she does. Sometimes they come with her period, sometimes after a very stressful workweek, and sometimes when she’s had too much red wine, chocolate, or caffeine. She didn’t know they were migraines until she read about them in a magazine one day. Someone suggested she try acupuncture when the advertised drugs didn’t work.

Many people are confused about migraines, because they are taught that there are always visual changes before the onset of a headache. This doesn’t always happen. A typical migraine is characterized by one-sided, intense throbbing pain. They are often accompanied by light or sound sensitivity, nausea and/or vomiting, and last anywhere from several hours to three days or more.