Study Questions Value of Acupuncture for Migraine

Study Questions Value of Acupuncture for Migraine

"TUESDAY, May 3 (HealthDay News) -- Migraine headache sufferers who use acupuncture get no more pain relief than those who undergo a sham treatment.

But they do get relief.

That is the result of a randomized, multi-center trial, one of the largest and most rigorous studies yet to examine acupuncture's effectiveness for migraine, the study's German authors report.

Both treatments reduced the number of days that patients experienced moderate to severe pain, with more than half of each treatment group reporting at least a 50 percent reduction in migraine attacks.

But having observed inconsistent results among patients who have used acupuncture, Dr. Seymour Diamond, director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, offered a less optimistic view.

'I no longer use it in my practice and do know that some patients use it as a last resort after all other forms of treatment have failed,' he said. 'I would never consider acupuncture as first-line treatment.'"

My Take:

I have tried acupuncture and it worked immediately! And the moment the needles were removed the migraine was back full force. I believe the needles block the transmission of pain signals to the brain, but they do nothing to actually change the underlying brain chemistry.

But the study did indicate that many users experienced some relief. Once you have eliminated other treatments, I say acupuncture is worth trying. Sometimes temporary relief is all we need -- while the meds kick in.

OTC pills for Migraines? Get real!

Excedrin - Treating Migraines:
"A Gallup survey conducted for the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH) found that 78% of migraine patients said OTC medications helped and virtually all migraine sufferers said they have used at least one OTC product. In another study, more than 90% of migraine patients said they use non-prescription medications for their headaches; the majority (60%) said they use OTC treatments exclusively. However, there is not clear information available about which treatments work and in what dosages"

My Take:

Give me a break! If over-the-counter (OTC) meds work for you, you ain't got no stinkin' migraine.

Migraine progress

Headache: Hope Through Research: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS):
"During the Stone Age, pieces of a headache sufferer's skull were cut away with flint instruments to relieve pain. Another unpleasant remedy used in the British Isles around the ninth Century involved drinking 'the juice of elderseed, cow's brain, and goat's dung dissolved in vinegar.'

My Take:

See I told you (in the headline) that things are getting better. Altho that goat's dung and vinegar cocktail does sound quite tasty. Yum. :-)


Technorati Profile

Cookbook For Preventing Migraines

Amazon.com: Books: The Headache Prevention Cookbook: Eating Right to Prevent Migraines and Other Headaches: "Editorial Reviews -Amazon.com
Food can't cure headaches, but avoiding certain foods may prevent them, according to author David R. Marks, medical director of the New England Center for Headache. Some foods commonly trigger headaches in some people. If you're a headache sufferer, eliminating those foods from your diet is a sensible second step towards managing headaches. (The first step is to see your doctor to determine if there is some underlying condition that is causing the headaches.)

The key is to go on an elimination diet that avoids trigger foods such as most cheeses, chocolate, nuts, certain meats, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, MSG, caffeine, beans, out-of-the-oven yeast products (e.g., pizza, yeast breads, doughnuts), alcohol (especially red wine), ice cream, olive oil, and many, many more. If you were left to your own devices to figure out what's left after eliminating all these foods, you'd probably give up within a day. But Laura Marks has done the work for you, putting together 100 recipes that contain none of the forbidden foods. The Headache Prevention Cookbook's recipes aren't bland or boring.

The authors suggest that you follow this diet for at least 2 months, and see if your headaches go away. Then gradually reintroduce the foods you avoided, one per week, so you can track which foods are your personal headache triggers. Once you've figured that out, avoiding those foods permanently can be your ticket to a headache-free future. "

My Take:

I have NOT read this book, but I definitely agree with the basic tenet. I can personally guarantee a migraine by eating certain foods, sometimes in minute quantities. I do not know if this is the best book on the subject, but I do know you should try out its advice.

Aromatherapy : A Migraine Treatment

Janor Journal: Aromatherapy Brochure: "Here is a partial list of ailments that can benefit from Aromatherapy:

The nervous system such as: Anxiety, Depression, Epilepsy, Headache, Insomnia, Jetlag, Migraine, Mood Swings, Neuralgia, Panic Attacks, Stress

While aromatherapy is quite safe, it is important to keep in mind that it is a complementary therapy and not a substitute for conventional medical care.

What Is An Aromatherapy Treatment?

An aromatherapy treatment is the application of Essential Oils blended in advance or by your therapist especially for you, after reviewing your medical history and needs.

The blend is lightly massaged onto the body and is a relaxing and never painful experience. The treatment stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems improving the supply of nutrients and aiding elimination of toxins and waste products from them, as well as relaxing the mind and nervous system."

My Take:

I have never tried this, so cannot comment from experience. Since I have tried almost everything else, this sounds like a worthwhile experiment. As soon as I find a source for treatment, I will give it a try.

How about magnets?

Life's delemmas:
"Primarily permanent magnets have been used to relieve pain, such as with arthritis, but magnets also show promise in promoting and
shortening the time it takes to heal fractures, soft tissue sports
injuries, and joint (knee, tennis, wrist) injuries. Magnetic therapy
has also been used to treat migraine headaches and diseases involving
poor circulation."

My Take:

Tried them -- didn't work for me. Your mileage may vary.

Is aspartame causing your migraines? And WORSE!

Cough Syrup Honey Formulas, A Blog on Sugars and Honey: "'If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet,
Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms,
spasms, shooting, pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo,
dizziness,headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, unexplainable depression,
anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss...you
probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!'


'Is it reversible?' Yes! Yes! Yes! STOP drinking diet sodas and be alert
for Aspartame on all food labels! "

My Take:

I absolutely agree. Aspartame shall never again pass my lips.

This is a much neglected topic in the media, due to the huge budgets of the offenders. You MUST inform yourself on this topic.