Study Finds Acupuncture to be Effective for Migraines

by Antonia Balfour, L.Ac.

A study published in the March, 2008 edition of the journal Headache finds acupuncture to significantly reduce migraines and to be more effective than drug therapy alone.

The Italian study included 160 participants that were divided into four groups: a true acupuncture treatment according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in migraine without aura, a standard mock acupuncture protocol, an accurate mock acupuncture healing ritual, and an untreated control.

The participants in all the groups were additionally given the medication, Rizatriptan, to treat any migraine attacks.
Over six months, only the group receiving true, traditional acupuncture showed lasting improvement in migraine disability measured on a standardized scale. The groups using only the medication and the mock acupuncture plus Rizatriptan showed only temporary or transient improvement.

Dr. Enrico Facco, who conducted the study, theorizes that acupuncture prevents migraine by altering nerve signals or affecting neurotransmitters released in the central nervous system. The results are promising, according to Dr. Facco, but more studies are needed to confirm the benefits of traditional acupuncture for migraine.

However, Facco added, 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 preventive treatment.

Antonia Balfour is an acupuncturist and herbalist practicing in Pacific Palisades, California. She is the co-owner and Clinical Director of Oasis Palisades, a Health & Wellness Center located in Pacific Palisades (on the Westside of Los Angeles, between Santa Monica and Malibu). She is a California-licensed, NCAAOM-certified acupuncturist. Antonia served as the 2008/2009 president of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce.