Does acupuncture work for migraines?

Question

I get hormonal migraines and have tried all kinds of medications for them. Nothing seems to work on a consistant basis. My big problem is the rebound headache from the meds. I usually end up in a dark room for several days waiting it out in agony. Have you tried acupuncture or are you a practioner and know that it may work?

Answer 1

Preface: Yes, I have heard that acupuncture is an alternative solution. If you decide to go this way, have a physician trained in this procedure do it. If something goes wrong, you are then at the right place for emergencies. Otherwise:

1. A cold ice pack on the back of the neck, resting your head on it also, at onset of migraine. Also, have an ice pack that you can move around on your head, until you find the source. Sometimes pain if referred from another area. If you have vomiting, there is nothing you can do to keep medicine down. The ice pack with steady persistence is a great help.

2. You did not mention if you get auras (i.e. flashing lights, colors, hyper-acoutism — painful hearing, photosensitivity, etc.) preceding the migraine. That is a perfect time to take medication and ice. You have a warning of what is to come.

3. Ask your physician about a med that will relax you so you can fall asleep. Sleep can really help.

4. Muscle spasms, food allergies, lack of eating at regular intervals, hormones as you mentioned, can also trigger migraine.

5. Keep a diary of when the headaches come. Detail what you ate the night before, whether it's x amount of days until your monthly cycle. It may give you a clear road map on how to cut your migraines off at the chase.

Good Luck and Warm Regards.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your migraines. I get them every spring triggered by pollen so I know what you're going through. Personally I wouldn't pay for acupuncture because everything I've seen says that it's placebo only, so it's not likely to help me. However, if you strongly believe in that kind of thing it might help you and anything that reduces the pain is good. Shop around and make sure you aren't paying too much and that your practitioner is reliable. I would still see a neurologist if I were you though, there may be a different underlying cause than you think. Lastly, while caffeine triggers migraines in some people, or makes the pain worse, this isn't the case for everyone. For some people, myself included, caffeine actually CURES migraine pain. This is way many OTC migraine pain relievers contain caffeine. So you may not need to cut back on your coffee. Good luck.

Answer 3

May help some people. Much depends on how well trained your therapist is.
Some people I know have benefited from taking monavie juice.
See Encylcopedia of Natural Medicine - Murray & Pizzorno and Prescription for Natural Cures - Balch & Stengler for good discussion and advice about migraines

Answer 4

Yes, acupuncture helps alot of things. Even hangovers! I worked for a chiropractor who was licensed for that. The needles don't even hurt. The only thing you really feel are twangs of energy in certain points. I would search for someone well known for that where you live and try it. It will probably take a few sessions but natural remedies are much better!

Answer 5

Acupuncture would help and also, perhaps, an herbal remedy. It is called vitex and is best as a tincture. It has helped a lot of women with hormonal problems.