acupuncture because it can cause premature labor. However, there are no
scientific reports indicating this occurs. A 2002 Australian study on the
safety of acupuncture for nausea in early pregnancy confirmed that there is
no increased risk of congenital anomalies, miscarriage, stillbirth, placental
abruption, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, premature birth,
or other problems when women receive acupuncture during pregnancy.
The study was conducted during the first trimester of pregnancy when fetal
development is most vulnerable.
In summary, acupuncture is a useful alternative to drug therapy in
patients experiencing migraine, sinus, and tension-type headaches. The
use of acupuncture in migraine treatment has the most evidence in regards
to efficacy and safety. It has been used effectively and safely, but it is time
consuming and relatively expensive. If the headache specialist does not
incorporate acupuncture into the management of the headaches, the patient
can request a referral. The patient can also review a list of acupuncturists
online. Forty-three states require licensure for acupuncture therapists. If
your state has this requirement, you could check online to determine if your
therapist is licensed.
Case Report
A 70-year-old woman was referred to a headache clinic by her primary
care physician due to recent onset of daily headaches for one month. She
could not identify an obvious trigger for her headaches. The headaches
started in the front of her head and often radiated to the rest of the head.
She described a few episodes of mild nausea which occurred when the
headache was severe. An MRI scan of the brain and blood tests were
normal. She had tried gabapentin for the prevention of these headaches,
but she felt tired and dizzy while on this drug. Also, she tried a course
of steroids, other preventives, and Botox injections without relief. A
combination drug containing butalbital, caffeine, and acetaminophen
seemed to work well, but she needed to take it on a daily basis. Because
daily intake of this type of drug is known to exacerbate headaches (so called
medication-overuse headaches) and no other drugs had helped, the patient
agreed to try acupuncture.
The patient underwent eight weekly acupuncture treatments with
needles placed in her ears, arms, and legs. She reported a dramatic relief
of her headaches. During the subsequent 5 years, the patient continued to
experience occasional headaches, which never became daily or frequent.
Interestingly, 2 years after the onset of her headaches, the patient developed
a very painful outbreak of shingles, which was more effectively helped by
acupuncture than by narcotic pain killers. HW
www.headaches.org
Arthur H. Elkind, MD
(President of the National
Headache Foundation) noted:
Acupuncture is difficult to
establish with a definite
scientific proof as to its
effectiveness. The placebo
effect is noticeable. In patients
who are not helped by
standard therapies, it is “worth
a try.” I would emphasize
it is an invasive procedure.
The subject/patient must be
sure disposable needles are
used and one should seek
licensed qualified physicians
to administer the injections
with the long needles.
Although fortunately, serious
complications are very rare,
these adverse effects have
been encountered. The use of
contaminated needles could
expose the patient to Hepatitis
B and C, as well as HIV.
|
National Headache Foundation
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