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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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Can acupuncture be used for migraines?

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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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min home-news-image

Migraine continues to hurt for several days.

Migraine headaches that persist for several days might be a sign of a migraine condition. It's essential to handle this promptly to alleviate pain and improve the patient's quality of life. The following treatments are recommended for such patients. First, it's crucial to take pain-relief medication as soon as possible. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. If the pain remains severe and the effect is not apparent after taking these, one could use specific migraine medications like ergot preparations or triptans. Additionally, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may be used, which can also produce good results. Migraine patients often suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety, and irritability. It might be appropriate to administer benzodiazepines, which can also benefit headache relief. (Please use medication under professional medical guidance and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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How to quickly relieve a migraine

Migraines can be quickly alleviated by taking oral painkillers, but this is under the precondition that the diagnosis confirms a migraine attack, rather than some other acute cerebrovascular diseases. If it is an acute cerebrovascular event, taking oral analgesics may mask the symptoms and delay appropriate treatment. Typically, before a migraine attack, there may be premonitory symptoms such as blurred vision or other changes in vision. After these premonitory symptoms appear, headache on one side of the head occurs, and these symptoms may recur. When the symptoms alleviate, they disappear completely. This is a typical migraine attack. Generally, migraines do not pose a major threat to one's health, and symptomatic oral analgesics can quickly relieve the pain. However, it is also necessary to rule out acute cerebrovascular diseases, such as cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can also cause headache on one side. If the headache on one side is persistent, a cranial CT scan should be conducted to rule this out. (Please take medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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What should I do about migraines?

Patients with migraines can temporarily take oral painkillers to alleviate the symptoms, provided that it has been confirmed as a migraine attack, and not a headache caused by acute cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Typically, before a migraine attack, there may be an aura symptom involving changes in vision, followed by unilateral headache. These symptoms can recur, usually lasting several hours, and they can subside on their own without medication. These are the symptoms of migraines. Generally, migraines do not pose a significant health risk, so patients can temporarily treat it with symptomatic oral pain relief. During remission, it is advisable to take preventive measures such as avoiding staying up late, not overworking, and reducing the frequency of migraine attacks as much as possible.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
51sec home-news-image

How to treat migraines

Migraine is a very common type of headache clinically. Its treatment mainly includes the following aspects: The first method involves giving patients some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers for treatment, which most patients find relieving. If the headache is severe and these drugs are not effective, then it is necessary to use some specific drugs, mainly ergot preparations. Second, symptomatic treatment. Migraine patients are prone to complications such as nausea and vomiting, and can be treated with some antiemetic drugs. Third, patients should rest in a quiet environment, avoid strong light and loud noises, and maintain a calm mood. Additionally, if migraines recur frequently, preventative treatment is recommended. The treatment plan mainly includes some calcium channel blockers and some β-blockers.