Migraine sufferers are increasingly turning to acupuncturists and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners to find relief. In fact, research shows that acupuncture can also reduce the frequency of attacks. The American Migraine Foundation agrees with the conclusion that a course of at least six acupuncture sessions can be a valuable treatment option.
Migraines are a much more common neurological disease than one might think. According to the American Migraine Foundation:
- 39 Million Americans live with migraines. It is the most common disease in the world, and affects 1 in 4 households in the U.S.
- 1 Billion people worldwide live with migraines.
- Migraines are the second leading cause of all global disability.
- Currently, there is no cure.
What are Migraines?
According to the Mayo Clinic, migraines can cause severe throbbing or pulsing sensation, usually only on one side of the head. Migraines progress through four states: prodrome, aura, attach and post-drome. Not everyone suffering from migraines experiences all stages.
Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to both light and sound, and can be so severe that they last for hours or even days. The debilitating symptoms often lead to loss of work, school and enjoyment of life. Though migraine causes aren’t fully understood, genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role.
Identified triggers for some sufferers may include:
- Hormonal changes in women.
- Foods and food additives such as aged cheeses, salty and processed foods and aspartame sweetener.
- Stress.
- Changes in wake-sleep patterns.
Why Patients Seek Holistic Migraine Treatment
When migraine medications fail to minimize the frequency and/or severity of symptoms, or have negative side effects, many patients become eager to explore CAM treatments.
Acupuncture is one of the most commonly used and widely accepted forms of modern holistic migraine treatments. Why? There is evidence that acupuncture for migraines reduces the frequency of attacks — with effects that may be similar to that of prescription migraine medications. A systematic review of 22 clinical trials revealed that the frequency of migraines dropped by 50 percent or more in up to 59 percent of individuals receiving acupuncture.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Migraines
A 2024 review of research suggests that acupuncture may benefit migraine sufferers by:
- Reducing the frequency & length of episodes.
- Reducing pain.
- Preventing headaches from recurring.
- Offering fewer side effects than conventional treatments, such as prescription medications.
If you are a sufferer, consider enlisting acupuncture in your arsenal to combat migraines. Call National University of Health Sciences’ Whole Health Center in Lombard, Ill. at 630-629-9664 to schedule your appointment with an Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine clinician today.
