Acupuncture for Migraine Prevention is better than Topiramate

Acupuncture for migraine prevention appears more helpful than topiramate.

Acupuncture for migraine prevention is superior to the drug topiramate (Topamax), according to the results of a trial conducted in Taiwan.

A total of 66 patients with chronic migraine, were randomly divided into two groups: the acupuncture group received 24 acupuncture treatments over a period of 12 weeks, whilst the topiramate group received up to 100mg per day over the same period in increasing dose steps as per usual practice. The acupuncture group experienced a significantly larger decrease in mean days per month with moderate to severe headache (20.2 to 9.8 days), compared with the drug group (19.8 to 12.0). Even more importantly for many patients, adverse events were reported for 66% of the drug group, compared to only 6% of the acupuncture group. Secondary efficacy variables also favoured acupuncture, even in patients who were overusing their acute medication. The authors conclude acupuncture should be made available as a treatment option to all chronic migraine patients.

(Acupuncture versus Topiramate in Chronic Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomised Clinical Trial. Cephalalgia, 21 October 2011.)

Author: Robin Costello

I offer traditional Chinese acupuncture in Exeter, from a tranquil clinic a mile from the city centre, and next to the University of Exeter. I graduated originally from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s 3 year full time Acupuncture Diploma (DipAc) course. I am on the practitioners register of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC), a regulatory and professional body with an entry standard of a full three year undergraduate degree level training. I have worked in a hospital in south west China, deepening my knowledge and using acupuncture and Chinese massage (tuina) as the treatment of choice in its country of origin. I have taught Chinese medicine in colleges, the NHS and at university level. I also practise Qi Gong, and Chinese dietary therapy, that is the medicinal use of ordinary foods, chosen to help achieve particular therapeutic effects in different individuals.