Does acupuncture work for migraine?
If you are weighing acupuncture for migraine, start with what NCCIH found. Then gather a few things before you raise it with a clinician.
What the evidence review reports
NCCIH reports moderate-quality evidence that acupuncture may reduce the frequency of migraines. It also reports moderate-to-low quality evidence that it may reduce the frequency of tension headaches. The word "may" matters: the evidence is not described as certain.
How it compared with drugs
NCCIH adds that in studies comparing acupuncture with various drugs for preventing migraine, acupuncture was slightly more effective. Participants who received acupuncture were also much less likely to drop out of those studies because of side effects. These are findings from studies, not a promise about your own results.
Steps to take before your appointment
- Count your migraine days over a month so any change can be measured later.
- List what you take now for migraines, including preventive medicine.
- Write down any side effects you have had from past treatments.
- Read the Cleveland Clinic migraine overview for general background.
- Review the MedlinePlus pain page, the Cleveland Clinic page on pain management and the American Academy of Pain Medicine site to see where acupuncture fits among options.
- Ask your clinician whether it suits you.
Bring a count of migraine days
A baseline count is what makes any treatment judgment possible later. If you are planning a visit in the Bloomfield area, bring that count. Only a clinician who knows your history can say whether acupuncture suits you.