Can acupuncture be used for migraines?

Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on December 01, 2024
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For migraine, such as some primary migraines, acupuncture can be used for treatment and has certain efficacy. It can alleviate the symptoms of headache, reduce the intensity of pain, and decrease the frequency of pain episodes. Generally, for migraines, some local acupoints are selected, such as Fengchi, Jia Che, Si Zhu Kong, and Shuai Gu for acupuncture. If the pain is very severe, electroacupuncture can sometimes be used to enhance the effect of acupuncture to achieve the effects of unblocking meridians and relieving pain. Of course, acupoints are also chosen based on the patient's condition to treat migraines. For instance, migraines caused by liver qi stagnation would involve selecting acupoints that soothe the liver and regulate qi, such as Qi Men and Tai Chong, to help treat the migraines.

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How to treat migraines

The incidence of migraines is still very high, and the pain can be quite severe, affecting patients' work and daily life, preventing them from resting well. The main treatments include the following: First, maintain the patient's emotional stability and keep the patient calm, avoiding strong lights and loud noises as much as possible to create a quiet environment. Second, administer oral non-steroidal analgesics for pain relief, or take ergot preparations for pain relief. Third, patients sometimes exhibit obvious anxiety and can take benzodiazepines for related treatment, as well as certain anti-anxiety medications. Fourth, if the patient experiences nausea and vomiting, symptomatic treatment should be given, including antiemetic medications. If the patient has frequent episodes, prophylactic treatment with receptor blockers can be used.

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Can migraines be cured?

From the current medical development perspective, it is very difficult to completely cure migraines. Migraine is a disease that is prone to attacks, primarily caused by dysfunction of certain blood vessels. Some also believe that abnormal changes in the trigeminal ganglion can also lead to migraines. Migraines are prone to recurrence, and can be triggered by fatigue, poor sleep, bad mood, anxiety, and depression. When a migraine attack occurs, the pain can be quite severe, generally ranging from moderate to severe, accompanied by significant nausea, vomiting, and other clinical manifestations, and a feeling of vascular pulsation during the headache. The treatment plan mainly involves the administration of pain relief medications. If migraine attacks are frequent and the pain during attacks is severe, severely affecting daily life, preventive treatment with medication can be given. These medications can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but achieving a complete cure remains very challenging.

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What tea to drink for migraines?

Patients with migraines should avoid drinking strong tea. Research has confirmed that some stronger teas and coffee could potentially trigger migraines. This is because teas and other beverages containing theophylline can disrupt the contraction and relaxation functions of cerebral blood vessels. If you choose to drink tea, opt for lighter teas such as green tea, black tea, white tea, or floral teas. Additionally, it is crucial for migraine patients to rest adequately, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and minimize psychological stress, as these factors can easily trigger migraine attacks. If symptoms such as unilateral pulsating nausea and vomiting occur, it is necessary to promptly administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers for treatment.

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What are the symptoms of migraines?

The main symptoms of migraines include the patient experiencing photophobia and phonophobia, meaning a sensitivity to light and sound respectively. These stimuli can significantly worsen the headache. Patients often prefer to rest or sleep in a quiet environment. The second major symptom is a pronounced pulsating headache on one side, where the patient can feel a palpable throbbing of the blood vessels. Additionally, patients may also experience significant nausea and vomiting. Some migraine sufferers may have visual disturbances, such as seeing flashes of light or observing moving water-like visuals. At times, migraine patients may also experience episodes of vertigo, referred to as cluster migraines. Therefore, it is evident that migraine symptoms are quite common and need to be recognized and treated accordingly.

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What should I do if I have a migraine attack?

Migraine attacks do not pose a significant risk to one's health. Therefore, during an attack, it is appropriate to take symptomatic oral pain relief and antiemetic medications for treatment, such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules and metoclopramide tablets. These medications provide symptomatic relief. However, it is essential to confirm that the symptoms are due to a migraine and not conditions like cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which are acute cerebrovascular diseases. If it is one of these acute cerebrovascular diseases, taking these pain relievers could delay the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Migraines are often triggered by certain foods, so it is best to avoid preserved foods, such as pickled vegetables that contain nitrates, which can trigger migraines. Other foods like cheese and red wine can also trigger migraines and should be avoided as much as possible. Additionally, it is important to rest properly, avoid staying up late, and try to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. (Please consult a professional physician before using any medication.)