Acupuncture and Migraines: What You Need to Know

by | Apr 10, 2019 | The Rubin Chiropractic Health Center Blog

If you suffer from migraines, you are probably always on the lookout for new and effective treatments. While there are medications that can prevent or treat migraines, most of those medications are extremely expensive and may have side effects. One of the common ways to treat migraine is through acupuncture. Here’s what you need to know about acupuncture for migraines before making your appointment.

Does It Really Work?

How acupuncture relieves pain is unknown, but the scientific research indicates that it can be very effective in the treatment of migraine pain. Throughout 22 clinical trials, about 59 percent of patients who had acupuncture experienced 50 percent fewer migraines over a six month period. In short, acupuncture may or may not work for your migraine pain, but the odds are in your favor, and it may be worth trying.

What Happens?

During acupuncture, needles are placed in the skin, usually along the neck and back over pressure points. A head massage may also accompany placement of the needles. The full treatment takes about an hour, and you can go right back to normal activities following your appointment. In fact, many people report feeling relaxed and energized after acupuncture treatments.

Frequency

It is generally recommended that you have about six treatments of acupuncture for migraines, usually one per week. After this series of treatments, you may not need additional treatments for up to six months. If the acupuncture relieves your migraine pain and allows you to have fewer headaches, you can go back for another series of treatments when the pain returns.

If you suffer from migraines and are looking for additional natural treatment options, consider acupuncture for migraines. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.