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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Does acupuncture work for migraines?

    Related Topics
    Migraines & Headaches Neurology
    Have migraines for 20 years, about every 4-10 days. Tried naturopath, osteopath, physio, dietician, neurologist. Cannot find any triggers. Inderal, topomax baclofen - no good. Sumitriptan works most times. Have resorted to Botox into scalp. Has decreased severity enormously. But my GP also does acupuncture. Says it will take months. Worth giving it a go?
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  • Mr Roger O'Toole

    Physiotherapist

    Roger O'Toole is the Director and senior clinician of The Melbourne Headache Centre. Since opening the Melbourne Headache Centre in 2012 Roger has amassed over … View Profile

    Hello,
    It is often the case of giving anything a go when you have tried so many things and they have failed you. Bravo for continuing to look for a solution rather than giving up.
    The short answer to your question is the current research says no, acupuncture is not effective in migraine.

    I am not an acupunturist and do not even perform dry needling, so all I can tell you are the results from clinical trials which you can read for yourself on this link:
    http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/acupuncture-for-migraine/

    which is a reference to this article:Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial.Canadian Medical Association Journal. 184(4):401-10.

    Authors:
    Li Y, Zheng H, Witt CM, Roll S, Yu SG, Yan J, Sun GJ, Zhao L, Huang WJ, Chang XR, Zhang HX, Wang DJ, Lan L, Zou R, Liang FR ;(2012)SourThe The results are that acupuncture The results for the type of acupuncture assessed here are that it is only effective for “days with migraine” compared to sham treatment, however the 95% confidence interval (CI) tells us that the difference was possibly only half a day or less, which quite rightly has been assessed as not clinically relevant.

    Does this mean it doesn't work?
    No. What it does mean is there is no evidence it does work. The difference being that it may be that the study wasn't done very well rather than the treatment didn't actually work.
    There are certainly cases where higher quality research has shown something to have an effect when earlier research has shown it doesn't.

    My advice would be to go in with your eyes open. I would get an opinion from an acupuncturist or at least another practitioner as to the time frames involved. 
    “It should take months” doesn't sound quite right to me but again, I'm not an acupuncturist.
    Someone else on here may shed some more light on that aspect for you.
    With the techniques I use, if we don't see significant improvement in 2 weeks we cease treating.

    I might also say that not all types of acupuncture are the same, as not all types of physiotherapy are the same. 
    If you don't get relief with your current course, there is a type of manual therapy technique employed by some physiotherapists, including myself that are providing good results - and again, it's not a “wait months” to see if it works. Treatment that hasn't imporved things within 2 weeks will stop.
    It can happen very quickly and you are then shown how to maintain the changes that are made. I can help you find one on your area if you are not in Melbourne.

    Good luck with your ongoing search for relief.

    Regards,
    Roger O'Toole
    Director - Melbourne Headache Centre

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  • k8k

    HealthShare Member

    Fantastic reply. Thanks roger for your encouragement, but also links to reading sites.

    i very much like the sound of your treatment which occurs over 2 weeks,rather than months.

    I shall try the a upuncture first, then, if it hasnt worked, i shall take up your offer of your he in finding a practitioner in my area (outside melb).

    I remain optimistic. There will be some key to unlocking this pain problem in my life, I feel sure.

    thnx again. k8


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  • Mr Roger O'Toole

    Physiotherapist

    Roger O'Toole is the Director and senior clinician of The Melbourne Headache Centre. Since opening the Melbourne Headache Centre in 2012 Roger has amassed over … View Profile

    No problems K8,
    Again, I'm not here to talk down others treatments, and I have met and treated people who have had some degree of success with acupuncture - just because the science doesn't support it doesn't mean it doesn't work. The studies might not be good. There might be other forms of acupuncture that DO work more effectively.

    I just don't think you should need to wait months to find out.

    The techniques I use identify relevant dysfunction ni the upper cervical spine, and after your first assessment we need to see and both agree to the direct connection, or I don't treat you. Pure and simple. Not a case of “lets try it and hope”. We see a direct connection in 80% of people.
    If we can identify relevant problems then we treat, and again, expect to see significant results within 2 weeks or again, we stop treatment.

    Good luck with your journey, and I hope you do respond to the acupuncture and can find some relief.

    If not give me a call or e-mail and I can see who might be able to help you. The techniques are not widley practiced (yet), but more of a specialised area.

    I hope this has been helpful.

    Regards,
    Roger O'Tool
    Director - Melbourne Headache Centre

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    Agree

    Steven Orloff

    Acupuncturist

    My name is Steven Orloff, I am a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. I am a graduate of both Monash and Victoria University, having degrees … View Profile

    First of all, I would check if the GP is trained in “Medical Acupuncture” or proper “traditional Chinese Medicine”, as they are very different.  

    My advice, go see a registered Chinese medicine practitioner for Acupuncture, you may be pleasantly surprised.  There has been recent research published showing Acupuncture may help with headaches and migraines.

    I hope you have success with whichever path you go down.

    Steve

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  • k8k

    HealthShare Member

    Thnx Steve for youropinions.  Yes, she is trained in the chinese methods.  So, i am encouraged by yr comments also.  Will keep on working with it all.
    k8

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