Acupuncture May Help Prevent Migraines Without Aura

Acupuncture, a treatment using fine needles, shows promise in helping people with migraine headaches that do not have aura. Studies suggest it can reduce the number of migraines and their pain. More research is happening to understand how it works in the brain.
By Newsroom | Health, Medicine |

Migraine headaches affect many people, causing intense pain and discomfort. While various treatments exist, a growing body of research suggests that acupuncture might offer a helpful option for those suffering from migraine without aura. Studies are exploring how acupuncture affects the brain and its potential to reduce the frequency and severity of these debilitating attacks.

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Current Understanding of Acupuncture for Migraine

Acupuncture, a practice involving the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body, has emerged as a potential treatment for migraines. The focus of research has been on its prophylactic, or preventative, effects, aiming to reduce the occurrence of migraine headaches rather than treating an active attack. Studies have investigated various forms of acupuncture, including manual acupuncture and ear acupuncture, to assess their impact on migraine frequency and associated symptoms.

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The use of acupuncture for migraine prevention is a relatively recent area of study, with ongoing research into its effectiveness and mechanisms.

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Research Approaches and Findings

  • Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Several reviews have pooled data from multiple studies to get a clearer picture. A meta-analysis published in September 2024 suggested a relationship between the amount of acupuncture (number of sessions, frequency, duration) and its effect on migraine attacks. The study proposed that 16 sessions over 1.5 to 2 months, with 3 sessions per week, might be an effective approach. Another systematic review in June 2017 aimed to assess the therapeutic and preventive effects and safety of acupuncture for migraine without aura.

  • Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): Many studies use RCTs, where participants are randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture or a sham (placebo) acupuncture treatment.

  • One study protocol from July 2022 planned to compare manual acupuncture with placebo acupuncture in 198 patients.

  • A 2017 trial compared true acupuncture (TA) to sham acupuncture (SA) and a waiting list (WL) control. It found that both TA and SA reduced the need for acute medication compared to the WL group. Notably, true acupuncture showed persistent benefits superior to sham acupuncture in reducing migraine frequency, days with migraine, and pain intensity over a 24-week period.

  • A 2005 study found that both acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups fared better than a waiting list group for most secondary outcomes. However, there were no significant differences between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups in that particular study, suggesting that specific point location might not have been the sole factor.

  • Brain Imaging Studies: Researchers are using advanced techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand how acupuncture affects the brain.

  • A study published in August 2022 found that after acupuncture, patients receiving real acupuncture showed enhanced connectivity in certain brain regions (right AMYG/MCC-left MTG and right MCC-right superior temporal gyrus) compared to those receiving sham acupuncture. The study also noted that baseline connectivity in the right AMYG-left MTG could predict how much monthly migraine days would be reduced. This study indicated significant improvements in headache severity and quality of life for the real acupuncture group.

  • Another study in May 2017 indicated that acupuncture could modulate abnormal brainstem activity in patients with migraine without aura.

  • A May 2021 study investigated the "Differential Modulating Effect of Acupuncture in Patients With Migraine Without Aura" using resting-state fMRI.

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The evidence suggests that acupuncture may influence brain connectivity and activity in ways that correlate with clinical improvements in migraine symptoms.

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Key Areas of Investigation

Aspect of Acupuncture ResearchKey Findings & Focus
Preventive Effects (Prophylaxis)Reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches.
Comparison GroupsReal acupuncture vs. sham acupuncture, waiting list, or standard pharmacological therapy.
Brain MechanismsInvestigating changes in brain connectivity and activity using fMRI.
Dosage and Treatment ParametersDetermining optimal session frequency, duration, and total number of treatments.
Types of MigrainePrimarily focusing on migraine without aura (MWoA).
Adverse EventsMonitoring for side effects, which appear to be generally mild in available data.

Expert Perspectives and Ongoing Research

While results show promise, the field continues to evolve. Researchers are actively working on refining study designs and exploring the neurological underpinnings of acupuncture's effects. Study protocols are underway to further investigate these mechanisms. For instance, a protocol published in September 2022 aims to use multimodal MRI and machine learning to understand the neurological mechanisms and predict treatment effects of acupuncture on migraine without aura.

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Further research is essential to solidify these findings and establish definitive guidelines for acupuncture as a migraine treatment.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Current evidence indicates that acupuncture is a promising treatment option for migraine without aura, particularly for prophylaxis. Studies suggest that real acupuncture can lead to more significant reductions in migraine frequency and severity compared to sham acupuncture or no treatment. Brain imaging research is beginning to reveal the neurological pathways that acupuncture might influence.

Future research should continue to focus on:

  • Large-scale, well-designed RCTs to confirm efficacy.

  • Understanding the precise neurological mechanisms.

  • Establishing standardized treatment protocols, including optimal dosage and duration.

  • Comparing acupuncture directly with established medical therapies.

The overall sentiment from the data indicates that acupuncture holds potential as a complementary or alternative therapy for individuals managing migraine without aura.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment where thin needles are placed into specific points on the body.
Q: Can acupuncture help prevent migraines?
Yes, studies suggest it may help lower how often migraines happen and how bad they are.
Q: How does acupuncture work for migraines?
Researchers think it might change how the brain works and connect different parts.
Q: Is acupuncture better than sham acupuncture?
Some studies show real acupuncture works better than fake acupuncture for reducing migraines over time.
Q: Are there side effects?
So far, studies show that side effects from acupuncture are usually mild.