Question
I am a frequent migraine sufferer and I was told that acupuncture can actually help more than drugs to prevent attacks. Is this true?
Answer
This question is frequently asked, and the answer is complicated.
The effect of acupuncture on migraine and other chronic pain syndromes has been studied extensively. The data from these studies, unfortunately, have been mixed.
Some studies suggest acupuncture is more effective than some of the commonly prescribed medications used to prevent migraine, such calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and valproic acid. However, other trials have shown no significant difference between real acupuncture and a sham or mock procedure, in which needles are placed in irrelevant locations.
Because of conflicting data, the American Academy of Neurology has not made any evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of acupuncture for migraine. As such, I usually do not recommend acupuncture for my migraine patients, particularly as a first-line treatment, but I also generally do not discourage patients who are interested in trying it.