But things have changed since then. A lot.
Thanks to the development of valid placebo controls (for example, a retractable “sham” device that looks like an acupuncture needle but does not penetrate the skin), and the publication of several large and well-designed clinical trials in the last decade, we have the start of a solid foundation for truly understanding the effectiveness of acupuncture.
How do we know if acupuncture really works for pain?
Individual large-scale clinical studies have consistently demonstrated that acupuncture provided better pain relief compared with usual care. However, most studies also showed little difference between real and sham (fake) acupuncture. In order to address this concern, a 2012 meta-analysis combined data from roughly 18,000 individual patients in 23 high-quality randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for common pain conditions. This analysis conclusively demonstrated that acupuncture is superior to sham for low back pain, headache, and osteoarthritis, and improvements seen were similar to that of other widely used non-opiate pain relievers.
And the safety profile of acupuncture is excellent, with very few adverse events when performed by a trained practitioner. Meanwhile, basic science studies of acupuncture involving animals and humans have shown other potential benefits, from lowering blood pressure to long-lasting improvements in brain function. More broadly, acupuncture research has resulted in a number of insights and advances in biomedicine, with applications beyond the field of acupuncture itself.
Is acupuncture really that good?
We understand why there may be continued skepticism about acupuncture. There has been ambiguity in the language acupuncture researchers employ to describe acupuncture treatments, and confusion surrounding the ancient concept of acupuncture points and meridians, which is central to the practice of acupuncture. Indeed, the question of whether acupuncture points actually “exist” has been largely avoided by the acupuncture research community, even though acupuncture point terminology continues to be used in research studies. So, it is fair to say that acupuncture researchers have contributed to doubts about acupuncture, and a concerted effort is needed to resolve this issue. Nevertheless, the practice of acupuncture has emerged as an important nondrug option that can help chronic pain patients avoid the use of potentially harmful medications, especially opiates with their serious risk of substance use disorder.
Finding a balanced view
A post on acupuncture last year dismissed acupuncture as a costly, ineffective, and dangerous treatment for headache. This prompted us to point out the need for a measured and balanced view of the existing evidence, particularly in comparison to other treatments. Although the responses that followed the article overwhelmingly supported acupuncture, it nevertheless remains a concern that this practice attracts this kind of attack. Acupuncture practitioners and researchers must take responsibility for addressing deficiencies in acupuncture’s knowledge base and clarifying its terminology.
That said, we need to recognize that acupuncture can be part of the solution to the immense problem of chronic pain and opiate addiction that is gripping our society. That this solution comes from an ancient practice with a theoretical foundation incompletely understood by modern science should make it even more interesting and worthy of our attention. Clinicians owe it to their patients to learn about alternative, nondrug treatments and to answer patients’ questions and concerns knowledgeably and respectfully.
When other methods fail for curing regular headaches or migraines, many people turn to the less common treatment options. One of those options is acupuncture, which has been proven effective through scientific studies to alleviate headaches. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique involving the insertion of needles in key areas of the body referred to as acupuncture points. This increases blood flow to the area and dilates blood vessels around the spot in which the needle was inserted.
Typical Causes of Headaches
Stress is a major factor in pain caused by headaches. Either the stress caused the headache or intensified the pain. Aside from stress, other possible causes of headaches include hormonal imbalances, altered sleep patterns, low blood sugar, food sensitivities, chemicals, and skipping meals. There are other potential origins of headaches, so if none of these apply, be open to considering different triggers.
Finding the Root Cause of the Headache
A good acupuncturist will attempt to determine what triggers a patient’s headaches to prevent them from occurring again after treatment. For example, if a food sensitivity was causing migraines, then an individual will have the migraines return some time after completing an acupuncture treatment plan because that food is still entering his system. It may take time and experimentation to figure out which foods trigger migraines but it’s well worth it for permanent migraine relief.
How Acupuncture Treats and Prevents Migraines
Acupuncture for migraines is beneficial because a migraine in the making starts with nerve cells in the brain transmitting messages to the blood vessels causing them to constrict. After the blood vessels constrict, they expand. Upon expansion, inflammatory substances responsible for pain are released.
The Problem with Using Caffeine for Headaches
Many people have discovered that caffeine can crush a headache in its early stages but overall caffeine is not as beneficial as acupuncture for headaches albeit dilating the blood vessels. For one, caffeine dehydrates the body and most people already don’t drink enough water. Dehydration is a common cause of headaches. Therefore, a headache may return later if the individual doesn’t drink enough water.
Headaches Caused by Stress Are Eliminated with Regular
Acupuncture
Acupuncture for headaches caused by stress is very beneficial because acupuncture has been shown to relieve stress as well. When done on a consistent basis, clients will have lower levels of stress hormones in their bodies and feel less stressed in their day-to-day lives. They are better able to handle stress that flies their way. As a result, they stop suffering from stress-induced headaches.
Acupuncture Balances Hormones in the Body
More surprisingly, acupuncture can balance the hormones in the body. Thus, if the cause of a client’s headaches is a hormone imbalance, it is not always necessary for him to take drugs. An acupuncture treatment plan can solve the problem while providing headache and migraine relief.
No Side Effects with Acupuncture
There are no side effects of acupuncture for migraines and headaches like there is with medications. As long as the acupuncturist is a trained professional who uses sterilized one-use needles, it is a low-risk treatment method. However, if the acupuncturist is not professional, dirty needles could cause infections. Always ensure the acupuncturist follows procedures and cares about his clients’ safety before booking an appointment.
Reduced Stress Levels and Fewer to No Headaches
Acupuncture has provided tremendous headache relief for various types of headaches with different causes. In some cases, acupuncture prevents headaches from returning. In other cases, however, the client needs to do something more beyond acupuncture to sufficiently remedy the cause. An example being headaches or migraines caused by food sensitivities. Because stress is a major culprit in triggering headaches or worsening the pain, acupuncture in general is excellent for treating headaches because it relieves stress as well.
Sources
Acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomised trial. Lancet, July 2005.
Acupuncture in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial . JAMA Internal Medicine , February 2006.
Acupuncture in patients with tension-type headache: randomised controlled trial . BMJ , August 2005.
Acupuncture for Patients With Migraine: A Randomized Controlled Trial . JAMA, May 2005.
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis . JAMA Internal Medicine , October 2012.
Survey of Adverse Events Following Acupuncture (SAFA): a prospective study of 32,000 consultations . Acupuncture in Medicine , December 2001.
Safety of Acupuncture: Results of a Prospective Observational Study with 229,230 Patients and Introduction of a Medical Information and Consent Form . Complementary Medicine Research , April 2009.
The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review . Acupuncture in Medicine , June 2014.
Cost-effectiveness of adjunct non-pharmacological interventions for osteoarthritis of the knee . PLOS One , March 2017.
Paradoxes in Acupuncture Research: Strategies for Moving Forward . Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medcine, 2011.
The Long-term Effect of Acupuncture for Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Internal Medicine , April 2017.
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