Research has suggested that acupuncture can ease headaches and migraines as well as painkiller tablets can.
A recent review of 33 separate medical studies involving nearly 7,000 patients looked at the benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of headaches.
The researchers found that volunteers who were treated with the traditional Chinese technique, in which thin needles are pushed into the skin at specific points, had fewer headaches and migraines. They also found that volunteers treated with acupuncture experienced less pain if a headache developed.
After eight weeks of treatment, patients who had acupuncture and no painkillers had fewer headaches compared with those who were given only painkillers.
"This review confirms that acupuncture is as good for headaches as the best available conventional treatments, if not better," says Dr Mike Cummings, medical director of the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS), an organisation of doctors and other regulated health professionals who practise acupuncture.
"From my experience of using acupuncture in clinical practice, I’m convinced that it works. At least half of patients see their headaches improve and it works for both migraine and tension headaches," he says.
How acupuncture works
In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted through the skin. These are then left in position for half an hour or more. "The needles stimulate nerves in the muscle. This has the effect of deadening pain in the spinal cord and the brain. It doesn’t seem to matter too much where the needles go when it comes to treating headaches, as long as they stimulate nerves under the skin," says Dr Cummings.
Acupuncture needles are very different to those used in injections or blood tests. They’re solid, not hollow, and are much finer. When they’re inserted they can cause a tingling or dull ache, but it isn't painful. In fact, people often say they feel pleasantly relaxed during acupuncture sessions.
"When I’m using acupuncture to treat headaches, I put the needles around the top of the shoulders and the back of the head, and also in the legs and feet," says Dr Cummings. "Some patients need stronger treatment than others. To make the treatment stronger the needles are pushed deeper into the muscle.
"I advise people to keep a diary of their headaches starting a few weeks before they try acupuncture. They record when a headache happens, how long it lasts, how severe it is and so on. That way it’s easier to tell if the acupuncture really has worked," he says.
Dr Cummings says the beneficial effects of a course of acupuncture for headaches last for varying amounts of time. "Some people find the effects last for a whole year after a short course of treatment. Most find they need to have top-up acupuncture sessions every four to six weeks after the initial course of treatment to maintain the benefits.
"There’s no way to tell how people will respond to acupuncture. It’s a case of trying it and seeing how it goes."
Finding an acupuncturist
Dr Cummings stresses the importance of finding a reputable acupuncturist. "Acupuncture is very safe and any side effects are rare, but it is possible to spread hepatitis B through using dirty needles or to puncture a lung by inserting a needle in the wrong place. This means that it's important to visit a qualified and reputable practitioner."
Most people who use acupuncture to relieve their headaches receive private treatment. Some private health insurers pay for treatment under their policies. It’s also available in some areas through the NHS.
NHS acupuncture may be carried out at a GP surgery, hospital or specialist clinic.
If you want to try acupuncture, ask your GP about what's available locally. Alternatively, use the Useful links above to find a qualified acupuncturist from the British Acupuncture Council or The British Medical Acupuncture Society.
