Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines

The objective of this study published in the journal Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for episodic cluster headache (CH). The study involved 180 patients with episodic CH who were divided into three groups: combined acupuncture, conventional acupuncture, and sphenopalatine ganglion acupuncture. The patients in the combined group received acupuncture at both sphenopalatine ganglion and conventional acupuncture points, the acupuncture group received only conventional acupuncture, and the sphenopalatine ganglion group received only acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion.

All groups received treatment for two weeks, with a course of treatment consisting of three weeks. The patients were evaluated using visual analogue scales, the number of headache attacks per week, the duration of each headache attack, and the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire version 2.1 before and after treatment, as well as in follow-up after three months.

The results showed that all groups experienced a decrease in the degree of pain, the number and duration of headache attacks, and an improvement in their quality of life. However, the combined group had the best outcomes, with a 93.0% total effective rate, which was significantly higher than the acupuncture group (75.9%) and the sphenopalatine ganglion group (73.7%).

In conclusion, combining acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion with conventional acupuncture was more effective in reducing pain and the frequency and duration of headache attacks, and improving the quality of life of patients with episodic CH, compared to using conventional acupuncture or acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion alone.

This randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, aimed to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with migraine. The study involved 302 patients who were divided into three groups: acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and waiting list control. The primary outcome measure was the difference in headache days of moderate or severe intensity between the 4 weeks before and weeks 9 to 12 after randomization.

The results showed that both acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups experienced a reduction in the number of days with moderate or severe headaches compared to the waiting list group. However, there was no significant difference between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. The proportion of responders (reduction in headache days by at least 50%) was 51% in the acupuncture group, 53% in the sham acupuncture group, and 15% in the waiting list group. The study concluded that acupuncture was not more effective than sham acupuncture in reducing migraine headaches, although both interventions were more effective than a waiting list control.

Note on sham acupuncture in this study: 

In the sham acupuncture group, the number of sessions, their length, and how often they occurred were the same as in the traditional acupuncture group. In each session, at least 5 out of 10 pre-selected non-acupuncture points were used for the treatment, with needles placed on both sides of the body (totaling at least 10 needles). The needles were inserted only slightly into the skin, and manual stimulation of the needles was avoided.

What the results mean in regard to sham acupuncture:

In regard to the study findings with sham acupuncture being just as effective as traditional acupuncture, it means that an acupuncturist can choose the “incorrect” points or miss the traditional points and get significant relief for patients with migraines.

The updated Cochrane review published in 2016, included 12 trials, with a total of 2349 participants, to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in preventing tension-type headaches in adults. The main findings reveal that acupuncture is more effective than no prophylactic treatment or routine care only, with two large trials comparing acupuncture to these control groups. Acupuncture showed significant benefits, with a higher proportion of participants experiencing at least a 50% reduction in headache frequency compared to control groups. When compared to sham acupuncture, the moderate quality evidence still demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture. Out of the seven trials comparing acupuncture to sham acupuncture, five large studies contributed data to the meta-analyses. In these studies, 51% of participants receiving acupuncture experienced at least a 50% reduction in headache frequency, compared to 43% in the sham group.

This study published in Acupuncture in Medicne, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing trigeminal neuralgia, a severe facial pain condition, in comparison to the first-line drug treatment (carbamazepine) and a common surgery (microvascular decompression). The research analyzed data related to efficacy, side effects, and cost from medical databases.

The results showed that acupuncture was not significantly more effective than the control group, but it had the highest effectiveness (86.5%) compared to surgery (79.3%) and drug treatment (71.7%). Acupuncture also had fewer side effects (22.7%) than surgery (25.3%) and drug treatment (88.8%).

Regarding costs, acupuncture was found to be the least expensive option. After five years, acupuncture’s cost was approximately $1005 (converted from £750), compared to $2020 for carbamazepine (converted from £1507.73) and $6543 for surgery (converted from £4878.42). Acupuncture was also found to be the least stressful treatment for patients, with a score of 53 points on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, while surgery scored 153 points and drug treatment scored 217 points.

In conclusion, acupuncture appears to be more effective, safer, and less expensive than drug therapy or surgery for treating trigeminal neuralgia. The study suggests further research to explore these findings and the availability of acupuncture in healthcare systems like the UK’s National Health Service.

According to research published in Military Medicine, chronic post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a common issue after mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), but there is currently insufficient evidence for conventional headache treatments. Acupuncture has been shown to be at least as effective as drug therapy for migraine prevention and tension-type headaches. Due to its safety, cost-effectiveness, and long-lasting benefits, acupuncture should be considered as an adjunct treatment for patients with chronic PTH, and as a primary treatment alternative for those with contraindications to medication.

Approximately 1.7 million Americans experience TBIs annually, with 75% being concussions or mild TBIs. Acute PTHs occur in up to 90% of all individuals who suffer from a concussion or mild TBI, with chronic PTHs lasting longer than 3 months and having a prevalence of 43%.

Acupuncture has been shown to be slightly more effective and safer than prophylactic migraine medications. It is also as effective as standard care in managing chronic tension headaches, and short-term for cervicogenic pain. Adjunctive acupuncture is safe, efficacious, and cost-effective for chronic headaches of various and mixed etiologies, and should be considered for patients with PTH as a treatment option.

The number of treatments required to treat headaches and migraines is determined by a variety of factors. Some of these factors may include: the length of time you have had the headaches and migraines, your age, dietary and lifestyle considerations, your willingness to do self-care at home, and so on. It’s also reasonable to note that this medicine isn’t magic, and no ailment will be completely resolved with just one treatment. Having said that, many patients often leave the office in less pain than when they arrived and feeling more calm.

At The Subtle Point, we offer a variety of services that can run from 5 minutes to as long as 90 minutes. Initial appointments, however, are one hour long to 90 minutes. Typically treatments for headaches and migraines require 30 minute sessions unless a patient wants cupping or massage at the end of their treatment.

For headache and migraine treatments you will not have to disrobe. The needles will go into your arms, legs, hands, feet, and head. If there is a digestive component that may be the root cause of your headaches, then needles will be placed around the belly button as well. 

To schedule an appointment you can call, send us an email, or book online by clicking on the “Book Now” button in the upper right portion of the screen. 

We accept cash, check, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). 

At this time I am not accepting insurance, but I can give you an invoice/superbill to give to your insurance company for reimbursement.