Manage Migraines with Acupuncture

Learn How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Help With Migraines

Apr 25, 2008

Acupuncture may offer relief for those suffering from Migraines and Tension Headaches who want a more natural approach to treatment.

According to the MayoClinic.com up to 17% of women and 6% of men have experienced a migraine. Those that suffer from Migraines and debilitating headaches may experience the effects for hours or even days. Work, family and life can be greatly interrupted when a migraine comes calling.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines can be triggered by foods ranging from monosodium glutamate (or MSG) found in many snacks and Asian food products, to caffeine, chocolate and even fermented cheese.

Acupuncture Research for Migraine Relief

Acupuncture has long been used for chronic pain management but in recent years studies show this modality may be helpful to migraine sufferers. A 2004 study published in the British Medical Journal reported that participants reported 22 fewer days of headaches a year after participating in the study.

In a study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain in February 2008 [PubMed ID: 18209515] researchers reported that the participants experienced a decrease in heart-rate variability and possibly a reduction of sympathetic nerve response. It was determined that Acupuncture might have a beneficial influence on the autonomic nervous system. In the same issue another study by the University of Barcelona [PubMed ID: 18209514] reported that individualized treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine plays a role in preventing migraine attacks.

Needling the Pain

A first-time Acupuncture session can take 90 minutes or longer as the practitioner does a thorough health intake. The health exam in Traditional Chinese Medicine may include a tongue analysis and abdominal palpations. Tongue analysis is simply the practitioner observing the color, texture and shape of the client’s tongue. Each of these can give the Acupuncturist a glimpse at what is going on inside the body. For example – a dark red tongue can indicate inflammation and a flat tongue reflects a balanced person with the ability to be flexible.

Acupuncture needles are very thin and in most countries, disposable. Many people who try Acupuncture for the first time find they are surprised at how painless the technique actually is. For some points the receiver does not even feel the needles being inserted.

The Acupuncturist can provide an estimation of how frequently the client should come for sessions as well as an approximate duration of treatments. A general rule of thumb is a month’s worth of treatments for every year the client has had symptoms.

1. Bäcker M, et al. Acupuncture in migraine: investigation of autonomic effects. The Clinical Journal of Pain 2008 Feb;24(2):106-15.

2. Alecrim-Andrade J, et al. Acupuncture in migraine prevention: a randomized sham controlled study with 6-months posttreatment follow-up. The Clinical Journal of Pain 2008 Feb;24(2):98-105.

The copyright of the article Manage Migraines with Acupuncture in Chinese Medicine is owned by Amy Kreydin. Permission to republish Manage Migraines with Acupuncture in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.