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After roughly 2500 years of positive clinical outcomes, acupuncture treatment for headaches has been validated by 21st century placebo controlled clinical trials as a medically recommended first-line therapy option. To learn more about acupuncture headache treatment, or to try it for yourself, book an appointment with us today!
For some time, large scale individual studies have shown that acupuncture was more effective in pain relief than other forms of care. However, there was little difference between real and placebo acupuncture (a retractable placebo needle that does not enter the skin). This concern was laid to rest through a 2012 meta-analysis that combined data from around 18,000 individual patients from 23 random controlled trials on the effectiveness of acupuncture on common pain conditions. The analysis showed that acupuncture is superior to placebo for headaches, low back pain and osteoarthritis. In fact, Its effectiveness was similar to that of common non-opiate pain relievers (Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School; https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/acupuncture-for-headache-2018012513146).
Not only is acupuncture treatment for headaches effective, it also has an excellent safety profile. When performed by a trained
practitioner, acupuncture has very few adverse effects. There are other benefits that are also associated with acupuncture as shown in
animal and human studies including long-lasting brain function improvement and reduced blood pressure (Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard
Medical School; https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/acupuncture-for-headache-2018012513146).
There are those still skeptical about acupuncture treatment for headaches. The terminology acupuncture researchers use to describe acupuncture treatments is not always clear, leading skeptics to question whether or not the acupuncture points and meridians, central to the practice, actually exist. (Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School; https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/acupuncture-for-headache-2018012513146). With that said, it has been proven time and time again that acupuncture treatment is a highly effective non-drug alternative or analgesic co-treatment for chronic pain patients, even with confusion over terminology used by practitioners. Research and clinical trials from reputable sources are there for all to see, including an acupuncture treatment for migraine headache study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (https://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/4/391).
After centuries of practice, and with positive outcomes in modern clinical research, it is clear that acupuncture is an effective method of treating pain associated with a range of medical conditions, such as headaches.
With the growing opioid crisis, and as people seek to limit negative effects of pain medication, acupuncture treatment for headaches is one of the best alternatives currently available. Find out for yourself. Book your appointment today or give us a call to learn more about acupuncture.
