Acupuncture - Effective for Chronic Headaches
A recent study in England and Wales was conducted to determine the effects of acupuncture on patients with chronic headaches, particularly migraines.
Over 400 patients were randomly allocated 12 acupuncture treatments over three months or to a control group offering usual care.
After a year, headaches were lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group.
Patients in the acupuncture group experienced the equivalent of 22 fewer days of headache per year (8 to 38). Compared with controls, patients receiving acupuncture used 15% less medication, made 25% fewer visits to general practitioners and took 15% fewer days off sick.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture leads to persisting, clinically relevant benefits for primary care patients with chronic headache, particularly migraine.
Vickers AJ, et al. BMJ Epub 2004 Mar 15.