| Migraine. Just the thought of it causes dread for | | | | United States Research on Acupuncture for Migraines |
| millions of sufferers. Many have learned to expect | | | | Two publications in the United States have published |
| and live with migraine pain, but they would rather not | | | | studies that have lead to strong, positive conclusions |
| think of the next episode. | | | | on the effectiveness of acupuncture for migraine |
| Acupuncture for Migraines - What Is Involved? | | | | relief. |
| Acupuncture is a type of alternative or | | | | 1. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) |
| complementary medicine, derived from traditional | | | | Under the title, "Acupuncture for Patients with |
| Chinese medicine. This treatment for pain involves | | | | Migraine," JAMA published a study involving 302 |
| insertion of fine needles into particular points in the | | | | patients. Most of the patients were female. Patients |
| body known as "acupuncture points". The needles are | | | | were grouped into those who received acupuncture |
| then gently manipulated. | | | | for migraines, those who received sham acupuncture |
| Acupuncture for Migraine Prevention - Between | | | | for migraines, and a wait-list control. |
| Attacks | | | | The researchers concluded that sham acupuncture |
| If you decide to try acupuncture for migraines | | | | was no less effective than regular acupuncture. Both |
| between your migraine attacks, and have an | | | | acupuncture for migraines and sham acupuncture, |
| acupuncturist who distinguishes between prevention | | | | however, had much greater positive effect on |
| and treatment, you may receive SES acupuncture | | | | migraines than did the wait-list control. |
| for migraines. | | | | 2. Blackwell Synergy |
| You will receive your SES treatment in a sitting | | | | In this study, 160 women were studied to determine |
| position. Fine acupuncture needles will be inserted | | | | if acupuncture for migraines was effective or not. |
| very shallowly into your skin. The acupuncture points | | | | This study pitted acupuncture for migraines against |
| chosen for SES will usually be on your forearms and | | | | the use of Flunarizine for migraines. |
| lower legs. The needles will then be gently | | | | * Group A received acupuncture for their migraines |
| manipulated, pushed back and forth, by hand while | | | | every week for two months. After that, they |
| you exhale. | | | | received acupuncture once monthly for four months. |
| Acupuncture for Migraine Treatment - During Attacks | | | | * Group B was given Flunarizine every day for two |
| If you decide to try acupuncture for migraines during | | | | months. After that, they received the medication |
| a migraine attack, and receive a typical treatment, | | | | twenty days out of the month for four months. The |
| fine needles will be inserted into acupuncture points all | | | | study's conclusion was profound. Acupuncture for |
| over your body. The needles will then be gently | | | | migraines won as the more effective treatment of |
| pushed back and forth. As it is moved, each needle | | | | the two. |
| will cause small blood vessels around itself to dilate. | | | | Acupuncture for Migraines - Does It Hurt? |
| This will increase the blood flow throughout your | | | | You may be among those migraine sufferers who |
| body's tissues. | | | | see acupuncture for migraines as a choice between |
| Your acupuncturist may take a different approach, | | | | the pain of the headache and the pain of needles. |
| however. Since your migraine pain is generally | | | | You may be among those who have an intense fear |
| believed to be linked to blood vessel dilation in your | | | | of needles. How can you get past the fear? |
| head, he or she may not want to insert needles in | | | | 1. FIRST: Seek out a well-qualified, professional |
| the head and neck area. To do so might make your | | | | acupuncturist. Get recommendations, if possible. Be |
| pain worse temporarily. Instead, your acupuncturist | | | | sure the acupuncturist is licensed and certified |
| may use only the acupuncture points on your arms | | | | according to the law in your area. |
| and legs. | | | | 2. SECOND: Visit the acupuncturist before making an |
| Great Britain Research on Acupuncture for Migraines | | | | appointment. Ask to see needle-sterilizing procedures. |
| * On 15 March 2004, four British newspapers | | | | Ask if they use disposable needles. |
| reported on a study that found acupuncture helpful | | | | 3. THIRD: If you still fear the needles, ask if there is |
| to people with migraines. | | | | an alternative. Some offer magnetic needles, ear |
| * The four papers based their stories on a | | | | cups, and/or herbal methods. |
| randomized, controlled trial. That trial studied the | | | | 4. FOURTH: Make an appointment. |
| effects of using acupuncture for migraines along with | | | | When you go for your appointment, be sure you |
| more common types of care. The trial was | | | | explain exactly the problem you are having, its |
| conducted in twelve (12) different areas of England | | | | frequency, and intensity. Provide as much medical |
| and Wales. It involved 401 patients in all. It reported | | | | information as possible. This will help the acupuncturist |
| results for 301 of those patients. | | | | provide the acupuncture for migraines treatment that |
| * Patients treated with acupuncture for migraines had | | | | is best for you. |
| less severe headaches than those who received | | | | NOTE: It is wise to keep your primary health care |
| more common treatments. The patients treated with | | | | provider aware that you are using acupuncture for |
| acupuncture for migraines also had fewer days off | | | | migraines in addition to or in place of any treatment |
| work, took less medication, and visited the doctor | | | | he or she may advise. |
| less often than did patients given only standard care. | | | | |