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