Migraines can severely impact the quality of life for those affected. Severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, light sensitivity and fatigue can wipe a person out for a day or more. Even once the migraine has passed, there’s also the residual grogginess to deal with. This can really disrupt life and affect not only your sense of wellbeing, but also mental health, relationships and work.
Medication can help for some when taken at the beginning of a migraine attack, but won’t necessarily reduce the frequency. For those suffering from chronic and frequent migraines they can be drawn to try alternative and complimentary medicines such as acupuncture. Some may be hesitant to try without knowing some research behind acupuncture for migraines.
This post summarises a systematic review (highest level of evidence) done on “Acupuncture For The Prevention Of Episodic Migraine” published by the Cochrane Library who set the standards for evidence-based medicine.
Acupuncture For Migraines Key Findings
A comprehensive review of 22 trials involving nearly 5000 participants revealed:
Effectiveness Acupuncture, when administered over at least six treatment sessions, showed a reduction in migraine frequency. Compared to usual care alone, 41 out of 100 receiving acupuncture halved their frequency of headaches, compared to 17 out of 100 receiving standard care alone.
Compared with fake acupuncture When compared to sham acupuncture (where needles are inserted at incorrect points or don’t penetrate the skin), true acupuncture still demonstrated better results in reducing migraine frequency. Notably, the effects persisted even six months after treatment.
Compared with medication Compared with conventional medication to reduce migraine frequency, acupuncture was on par or slightly more effective. Participants also experienced fewer side effects with acupuncture and were less likely to drop out of the studies.
Quality of Evidence
Moderate-quality evidence supported the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing migraine frequency. The findings suggest that acupuncture for migraine could be a valuable treatment option to explore.
Conclusion
For those seeking alternatives or complementary therapies to manage migraine headaches, acupuncture is a research supported treatment option. Its effectiveness, particularly when administered over multiple sessions, makes it a valuable consideration for those grappling with frequent migraine attacks.
In conclusion, while more research is warranted to further solidify these findings, acupuncture appears to be a potentially effective approach for preventing migraine attacks and improving quality of life for those affected.
If you would like to try acupuncture for migraines in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, consider Acupuncture Grove in Bondi Sydney. Servicing areas such as Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach, Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte, Waverly, Randwick, Maroubra, Double Bay, Watson's Bay, Vaucluse and surrounding Sydney suburbs. You can book online here or reach out with any questions here.
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