Posted on 02/03/2006 in Industry related health news Migraine sufferers could do just as well by visiting an acupuncturist for a cure, rather than their pharmacy, a new study released today has shown.
Results of the German acupuncture trials, published today by the Lancet Neurology found that patients receiving acupuncture treatments for migraines were as likely to receive relief from their condition as those receiving the standard drug treatments available.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of medicine now recognised in many countries as an alternative and complimentary treatment for a range of physical and mental conditions. In Germany, it is the most frequently used form of therapy for migraines.
The treatment is performed by inserting fine needles at specific points throughout the body and can involve the application of heat or electrical stimulation through the needles by the treating physician.
In the trial, scientists found that the number of days which a patient suffered from migraines was reduced regardless of the therapy technique used. Surprisingly, it also showed improvement regardless of whether the patient was treated with "sham" acupuncture, which applies needles at non-specific points on the body, and the traditional form of acupuncture.
Concluding the article in the Lancet Neurology, Hans-Christoph Diener says: "Ultimately, one could argue that the efficacy of a treatment, especially a treatment with almost no adverse events or contraindications, is more important than the knowledge of the mechanism of action of this particular therapy."
He says that the decision over whether a migraine sufferer should be treated by acupuncture, or other methods, "remains with the treating physician".
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