Does acupuncture really work for migraines?

It is estimated that 12-16% of people in the United States suffer from migraines. Migraine headaches are often described as a “headache on steroids.” Common symptoms are mild to severe throbbing and pain in the head often worsened by light, motion, and noise. Migraines can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, vision changes, aura, and fatigue. Migraines are often debilitating, prohibiting people from working, exercising, or doing things they enjoy. Common triggers include hormonal changes, stress, tight upper back muscles, lack of sleep, low blood sugar, and head trauma to name a few. Certain foods can also lead to a migraine but does acupuncture really work for migraines?

What does the research say?

Recent research into the efficacy of acupuncture as treatment for and prevention of migraines has shown that acupuncture can be more effective than conventional drug therapy. Several trials were examined that showed acupuncture decreased the frequency of migraines while also decreasing the intensity. A link was also found between acupuncture and the biological mechanisms that relieve pain.

In another study in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal, looked at the long-term effect of acupuncture on migraine prevention. This study involved a 24-week trial looking at participants who reported migraine without aura. This study found that among patients with migraine without aura, acupuncture may be associated with long-term reduction in migraine recurrence compared with sham acupuncture.

Previous studies have found that acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s release of adenosine as well as endorphins, which are natural pain relievers, and this stimulation may be linked to acupuncture’s role in the treatment and prevention of migraines.

At Starting Point Acupuncture, we are more than ‘just another acupuncture clinic.’ Dr. Heintze specializes in chronic and complex cases such as migraines. Using an integrated approach to care, she has a high success rate helping people not only reduce flares and symptoms but work to find the root cause and help them toward migraine prevention.

If you suffer from chronic migraines and not finding relief from current therapies. Give our office a call at (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation to learn how we can help you live pain-free.

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free  and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.

Sources:

https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/head.12525

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2603492