Relief for Migraine and Headache Sufferers
By Monica & A.J. Sarrat, L.Ac.

The pain that headache and migraine sufferers endure can impact every aspect of their lives. Acupuncture can offer powerful relief without the side effects that prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have been used to relieve headaches and migraines, as well as their underlying causes, for thousands of years and is a widely accepted form of treatment for headaches in our society. There are acupuncturists that specialize in the treatment of headaches and migraines and can help you manage your pain with acupuncture and Chinese herbs alone, or as part of a comprehensive treatment program.

Diagnosis with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recognize migraines and recurring headaches as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, tui-na massage, and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore, your diagnosis and treatment will depend on a number of variables: Is the headache behind your eyes and temples, or is it located more on the top of your head? When do your headaches occur (i.e. night, morning, after eating)? Do you find that a cold compress or a dark room can alleviate some of the pain? Do you describe the pain as dull and throbbing, or sharp and piercing? Does the pain begin after a stressful or emotional situation? 

How Acupuncture Works
These specific questions will help create a clear picture on which your practitioners can create a diagnosis and treatment plan specifically for you. The basic foundation for Chinese medicine is that there is a life energy flowing through the body, which is termed Qi (pronounced chee). This energy flows through the body on channels known as meridians that connect all of our major organs. According to this theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes imbalanced.  Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin, which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect.   When treating a headache, acupuncture works by signaling the brain to release powerful painkilling chemicals.  If the headache is hormonally related, acupuncture will bring the hormones back into balance.

The Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture points to treat headaches are located all over the body. During the acupuncture treatment, tiny needles will be placed along your legs, arms, shoulders, and even your big toe!
Thin, sterile, stainless steel needles will be inserted into various points on the body.  Most people feel nothing or possibly a slight pinch as the needle is placed in.  Once all the needles are in, most people experience deep relaxation, and may even fall asleep. 
The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. Typical treatments last from 15 to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments.

Studies on Acupuncture and Headaches
Since the early seventies, studies around the globe have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines and headaches. Recent studies show extremely positive results:

In a case study, published in the June 2003 Issue of Medical Acupuncture, doctors found that acupuncture resulted in the resolution or reduction in the frequency and severity of cluster headaches, and a decrease or discontinuation of medications. It was concluded that Acupuncture can be used to provide sustained relief from cluster headaches and to stimulate adrenal cortisol to aid in discontinuing corticosteroids.

A clinical observation, published in a 2002 edition of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, of 50 patients presenting with various types of headaches were treated with scalp acupuncture. The results of this study showed that 98% of patients treated with scalp acupuncture experienced no headaches or only occasional, mild headaches in the six months following care.

In a study published in the November 1999 issue of Cephalalgia, scientists evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of migraines and recurrent headaches by systematically reviewing 22 randomized controlled trials. A total of 1,042 patients were examined. It was found that headache and migraine sufferers experienced significantly more relief from acupuncture than patients who were administered "sham" acupuncture.

The latest study published in the March, 2008 journal, Headache, confirms that acupuncture significantly reduces migraines and works better that drugs alone. Dr. Facco, the researcher in charge of the study, theorizes that acupuncture prevents migraines by altering nerve signals or affecting neurotransmitters released in the central nervous system. The results are promising, according to Dr. Facco, and since the therapy carries little risk of side effects, it could be worth a try for migraine sufferers who are not adequately helped by standard treatment.

Monica and A.J. Sarrat are Board Certified Acupuncturists and Herbalists.  They can be contacted for further information at 951.698.2511.