A new article in Headache describes Acupuncture as being “At least as effective as medication for migraine prevention”.
Acupuncture works on the same principles as trigger point injections and Physiologic orthotics, that is it treats Migraines as an Input /Output or I/O error where neuro information fed into the brain changes brain chemistry through the neurons and creates pain.
Trigger points in muscles have an 80% correlation to classical acupuncture points and are extremely effective in relieving all types of chronic pain. Experience has shown that eliminating myofascial trigger points not only relieves the referred muscle pain but also decreases or eliminates frequency and severity of migraines. When there is less nociceptive (painful) neurological input to the brain the Trigeminal-Vascular system does not produce migraines and other autonomic cephalgias such as cluster headaches .
The Physiologic Orthotic created utilizing Physiologic Dentistry is specifically designed to eliminate nociceptive input from the Trigeminal Nervous System which is the cause (partial of fully) of all headaches.
I frequently show patients easy acupuncture points that can be utilized with acupressure for treatment of their headaches and migraines.
All patients who are receiving acupuncture for headaches or migraines and are not receiving complete relief should consider trying a Diagnostic Physiologic Orthotic to eliminate nociception that causes headaches and migraines.
The PubMed Abstract is below:
Headache. 2015 Feb 16. doi: 10.1111/head.12525. [Epub ahead of print]
Acupuncture for Migraine Prevention.
Da Silva AN1.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Migraine is a complex and multifactorial brain disorder affecting approximately 18% of women and 5% of men in the United States, costing billions of dollars annually in direct and indirect healthcare costs and school and work absenteeism and presenteeism. Until this date, there have been no medications that were designed with the specific purpose to decrease the number of migraine attacks, which prompts a search for alternative interventions that could be valuable, such as acupuncture.
METHODS:
Acupuncture origins from ancient China and encompasses procedures that basically involve stimulation of anatomical points of the body.
RESULTS:
This manuscript reviews large and well-designed trials of acupuncture for migraine prevention and also the effectiveness of acupuncture when tried against proven migraine preventative medications.
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture seems to be at least as effective as conventional drug preventative therapy for migraine and is safe, long lasting, and cost-effective. It is a complex intervention that may prompt lifestyle changes that could be valuable in patients’ recovery.
© 2015 American Headache Society.
KEYWORDS:
acupuncture; alternative medicine; prevention
