Can a minimum of six acupuncture treatments actually reduce the number of migraine headaches? A 2016 study titled “Acupuncture for Preventing Migraine Headaches” sought to answer to this question. The study was published in the Cochrane Library.
A migraine causes severe pain, usually one-sided, and may be accompanied by nausea or photo-sensitivity. The results of the study showed that acupuncture is an effective treatment to reduce the frequency of migraines.
Researchers analyzed 22 trials, which included more than 5,000 patients. Several benefits from acupuncture were recorded. The average number of migraines was reduced. The benefits of treatment still persisted even six months after treatment. Sham acupuncture can provide a small benefit for certain patients.
The study found that if a patient had migraines six days a month then after six acupuncture treatments that number reduced to 3.5. If a patient was given sham acupuncture or prophylactic drugs, that number reduced to 4. Therefore researchers concluded that acupuncture is an effective, safe treatment for patients suffering from migraines.
Acufinder.com
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