Acupuncture Relieves Migraine
One of the main things people ask is whether acupuncture relieves migraine headaches. The simple and honest answer is, Yes it does.
Now to backtrack to the spark for this post. In a recent Times article on whether Botox injections help with migraine headaches, near the bottom is a throwaway comment on acupuncture (regarding the value of a placebo over using Botox):
Dr. Sidney M. Wolfe, the director of the health research group at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, said that a small benefit over a placebo was not worth the risk and suggested that acupuncture could be a less expensive alternative.(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/business/09botox.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=acupuncture&st=nyt&scp=3)
The fact that acupuncture is both more effective and less expensive than Botox treatments is, for me, less interesting than the subsequent line on the side effects of sticking a bovine toxin into your neck.
While the most typical side effects from injections of botulinum toxins like Botox include temporary bruising and muscle weakness, there have been reports to the F.D.A. of more serious problems. The agency requires all botulinum toxins to carry a “black box” warning label that the drug could spread to other parts of the body — with the risk of difficulty in breathing or swallowing. “This is not to be taken lightly,” Dr. Wolfe said. “This is 30 needle jabs four times a year.”
Some might not have a problem with difficulty in breathing if there is a drug that masks normal the wear-and-tear of life. At my New York acupuncture clinic it’s not uncommon to see people who come to me after having had poor experiences with cosmetic surgery. And I’m not a moralist on this count. We all are meant to have the body and face we envision, so long as we don’t have to pay for it twice, the second time being with our health.
My biggest concern is that the stuff travels.
My other, greater, area of concern is in giving acupuncture its due regarding migraines, headaches, TMJ, etc. etc. I’ll even go so far as to self-refer on this one: https://bluephoenixwellness.com/acupuncture-for-migraines/.
Much of why I write has to do with exposing the general populace to methods that might help one get relief without having to go the allopathic route, i.e. being exposed to the ‘traveling’ bug that using Botox might open one up to. In other words, Buyer Beware. And before committing to some questionable, moneymaking service that could impact on you negatively down the road, do your research. Please.
And isn’t it interesting that something like acupuncture relieves migraine?
Daniel Reinaldo, aka, The Blue Phoenix