Acupuncture for Migraines

Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause multiple symptoms. It’s frequently characterized by intense, debilitating headaches. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, difficulty speaking, numbness or tingling, and sensitivity to light and sound. 

When experiencing a migraine, it can often throw off your whole day. However, acupuncture has the ability to help you get your day back as it has long been used as a therapy for chronic pain – both preventative and corrective.

How it Works

Acupuncture seeks to restore the flow of positive energy throughout your body. Acupuncture divides your body into a series of zones and pressure points. The needles are inserted into different pressure points, depending on your symptoms. The needle stimulates the nerves to release hormones, such as endorphins, that trigger a response from your body. This immune and circulation system stimulation is what proponents of acupuncture claim relieves migraines and tension headaches.

Case Study

Check out this study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that looks at 150 patients suffering from episodic migraines (without aura) comparing acupuncture treatment, sham acupuncture and usual care (medication).

Interventions of the study included “20 sessions of manual acupuncture at true acupuncture points plus usual care, 20 sessions of non-penetrating sham acupuncture at heterosegmental non-acupuncture points plus usual care, or usual care alone over 8 weeks.”

Within this study, twenty sessions of manual acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture and usual care for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine without aura. These results support the use of manual acupuncture in patients who are reluctant to use prophylactic drugs or when prophylactic drugs are ineffective, and it should be considered in future guidelines.

To Conclude

In essence, if you or anyone you know is suffering with recurring migraine, please contact your closest acupuncture professional for treatment.

Being in pain shouldn’t throw off your whole day, and we are here to support you and guide you to a migraine-free lifestyle.