Acupuncture For Migraines – Effective Or Not?

Acupuncture For Migraines – Effective Or Not?
By Anna Hart

Migraine. Just the thought of it causes dread for millions of
sufferers. Many have learned to expect and live with migraine
pain, but they would rather not think of the next episode.

Acupuncture for Migraines – What Is Involved?

Acupuncture is a type of alternative or complementary medicine,
derived from traditional Chinese medicine. 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 for Migraine Prevention - Between Attacks

If you decide to try for migraines between your
migraine attacks, and have an acupuncturist who distinguishes
between prevention and treatment, you may receive SES
acupuncture for migraines.

You will receive your SES treatment in a sitting position. Fine
acupuncture needles will be inserted very shallowly into your
skin. The points chosen for SES will usually be on
your forearms and lower legs. The needles will then be gently
manipulated, pushed back and forth, by hand while you exhale.

Acupuncture for Migraine Treatment - During Attacks

If you decide to try for migraines during a
migraine attack, and receive a typical treatment, fine needles
will be inserted into points all over your body. The
needles will then be gently pushed back and forth. As it is
moved, each needle will cause small blood vessels around itself
to dilate. This will increase the blood flow throughout your
body’s tissues.

Your acupuncturist may take a different approach, however.
Since your migraine pain is generally believed to be linked to
blood vessel dilation in your head, he or she may not want to
insert needles in the head and neck area. To do so might make
your pain worse temporarily. Instead, your acupuncturist may use
only the points on your arms and legs.

Great Britain Research on for Migraines

* On 15 March 2004, four British newspapers reported on a study
that found helpful to people with migraines.

* The four papers based their stories on a randomized,
controlled trial. That trial studied the effects of using
acupuncture for migraines along with more common types of care.
The trial was conducted in twelve (12) different areas of
England and Wales. It involved 401 patients in all. It reported
results for 301 of those patients.

* Patients treated with for migraines had less
severe headaches than those who received more common treatments.
The patients treated with for migraines also had
fewer days off work, took less medication, and visited the
doctor less often than did patients given only standard care.

United States Research on for Migraines

Two publications in the United States have published studies
that have lead to strong, positive conclusions on the
effectiveness

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of for migraine relief.

1. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

Under the title, “Acupuncture for Patients with Migraine,” JAMA
published a study involving 302 patients. Most of the patients
were female. Patients were grouped into those who received
acupuncture for migraines, those who received sham acupuncture
for migraines, and a wait-list control.

The researchers concluded that sham was no less
effective than regular acupuncture. Both for
migraines and sham acupuncture, however, had much greater
positive effect on migraines than did the wait-list control.

2. Blackwell Synergy

In this study, 160 women were studied to determine if
acupuncture for migraines was effective or not. This study
pitted for migraines against the use of Flunarizine
for migraines.

* Group A received for their migraines every week
for two months. After that, they received once
monthly for four months.

* Group B was given Flunarizine every day for two months. After
that, they received the medication twenty days out of the month
for four months. The study’s conclusion was profound.
Acupuncture for migraines won as the more effective treatment of
the two.

Acupuncture for Migraines – Does It Hurt?

You may be among those migraine sufferers who see acupuncture
for migraines as a choice between the pain of the headache and
the pain of needles. You may be among those who have an intense
fear of needles. How can you get past the fear?

1. FIRST: Seek out a well-qualified, professional
acupuncturist. Get recommendations, if possible. Be sure the
acupuncturist is licensed and certified according to the law in
your area.

2. SECOND: Visit the acupuncturist before making an
appointment. Ask to see needle-sterilizing procedures. Ask if
they use disposable needles.

3. THIRD: If you still fear the needles, ask if there is an
alternative. Some offer magnetic needles, ear cups, and/or
herbal methods.

4. FOURTH: Make an appointment.

When you go for your appointment, be sure you explain exactly
the problem you are having, its frequency, and intensity.
Provide as much medical information as possible. This will help
the acupuncturist provide the for migraines
treatment that is best for you.

NOTE: It is wise to keep your primary health care provider
aware that you are using for migraines in addition
to or in place of any treatment he or she may advise.

About the Author: ©2007, Anna Hart. Read Anna’s articles at
http://www.migrainereliefblog.com for more answers to your
questions about migraine headache pain and its treatments.

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