Acupuncture for Migraines – Effective or Not?

Many people are familiar with the physical act of acupuncture, at least in theory. They may not have experienced it’s effective-or-not physically, but they have heard of it. Acupuncture is a type of alternative or complementary medicine, derived from traditional Chinese medicine, and used to promote natural healing or relaxation. This treatment for pain involves insertion of fine needles into particular points in the body known as “acupuncture points”. The needles are then gently manipulated. Acupuncture goes much further than needles in the skin, however. The people of ancient China believed that acupuncture realigned their Chi – the life energy that flows through us. They believed that when the Chi was blocked, and unable to flow freely, it affected a person’s health.

In more recent days, researchers have begun to study the role of acupuncture for migraine reduction and treatment. Acupuncturists suggest that migraine headaches are caused by an imbalance in the body’s flow of energy – the Chi. Acupuncture for migraines reestablishes this equilibrium, thereby treating the cause and the pain of your migraine.

Acupuncture for Migraines – Does It Hurt?

You may view acupuncture for migraines as a choice between headache pain and needle pain. You may have an intense fear of needles. How can you get past the fear?

1. First, seek a professional acupuncturist. Be sure he or she is licensed and certified according to the law in your area.
2. Second, visit the acupuncturist and ask to see needle-sterilizing procedures. They may even use disposable needles.
3. Third, ask if there is an alternative such as magnetic needles.
4. Fourth, make your appointment.

Acupuncture for Migraine Prevention – Between Attacks

If you decide to try acupuncture for migraines between your attacks, ask for a typical treatment. As you sit upright, fine needles will be inserted into acupuncture points on your body, then gently pushed back and forth. As it is moved, each needle will increase blood flow to your body’s tissues.

Acupuncture for Migraine Treatment – During Attacks

If you decide to try acupuncture for migraines during a migraine attack, request a different approach. Since your migraine pain is generally believed to be linked to blood vessel dilation in your head, ask the acupuncturist to use only the acupuncture points on your arms and legs, not on your neck and head.

Your Acupuncture Appointment

At your appointment, explain your problem exactly, and provide as much medical information as possible. Your acupuncturist needs to ascertain the location of the headache. Because the head is traversed by many meridians, the headache location determines which meridians are involved.

Examples:

* Pain in the occipital area and nape of the neck indicates blockage in the bladder meridian.
* Pain in the forehead and above the eyes links to the stomach meridian.
* Pain in the temples and side of head are related to the gallbladder meridian.
* Pain at the top of the head indicates an imbalance in the liver meridian.

Acupuncture for migraines may relieve each of these headaches by applying needles to different points.

Research on Acupuncture for Migraines

Two U.S. publications published studies that have lead to strong conclusions on the effectiveness of acupuncture for migraine relief.

1. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

In “Acupuncture for Patients with Migraine”, researchers concluded that acupuncture for migraines was more effective than waiting.

2. Blackwell Synergy

This research concluded that acupuncture for migraines was more effective than the use of Flunarizine, a medication that is prescribed for the prevention of migraine headaches.