Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very thin needles into pressure points on your body.
The medical community’s research and opinion on acupuncture is mixed. Some studiesTrusted Source point out that “sham” (also called simulated) acupuncture works just as well as real acupuncture. Other studies affirm that acupuncture can give relief to people that experience chronic headache pain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed acupuncture as a promising treatment for pain since 1979Trusted Source.
Overview
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very thin needles into pressure points on your body.
The medical community’s research and opinion on acupuncture is mixed. Some studiesTrusted Source point out that “sham” (also called simulated) acupuncture works just as well as real acupuncture. Other studiesTrusted Source affirm that acupuncture can give relief to people that experience chronic headache pain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed acupuncture as a promising treatment for pain since 1979Trusted Source.
Acupuncture benefits for headaches
Acupuncture* seeks to restore the flow of positive energy throughout your body.
It also claims to remove negative energy that is causing you pain. From a modern medical perspective, acupuncture stimulates various systems of your body. This may trigger a healing response.
Acupuncture divides your body into a series of zones and pressure points. Acupuncture needles are inserted into different pressure points, depending on your symptoms. These needle points are usually near nerves in your body. The needle stimulates the nerves to release hormones, such as endorphins, that trigger a response from your body. This immune and circulation system stimulation is what proponents of acupuncture claim relieves migraines and tension headaches.
Acupuncture risks and shortcomings for headaches
Acupuncture itself carries little riskTrusted Source when done by a licensed practitioner. Sometimes bruising, fatigue, and soreness follow an acupuncture* appointment, especially after your first time.
According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health, acupuncture* that is performed with substandard or dirty equipment can poseTrusted Source a very serious health risk. Acupuncture needles are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are supposed to be single-use only.
Make sure to do your homework on your acupuncturist before booking your first appointment, and leave the appointment if you don’t feel comfortable. Watch your practitioner to make sure that the needles being used are sterile and new. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what is going on. A good acupuncturist will walk you through the procedure and make sure it’s a calm and safe experience for you.
Acupuncture by itself might not be enough to treat chronic headache pain. Migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches that impair your daily life should be addressed with pain medication.
General guidelines for acupuncture
There’s no special preparation prior to an acupuncture treatment appointment. If it’s your first time, you may want to go with a list of questions. Your practitioner will be able to advise you how many treatments you should expect, and how often you might need to go to experience relief of your symptoms.
A clinical study of acupuncture* for cluster headaches recommended treatment twice a week for two weeks, followed by one treatment per week for eight weeks, and maintenance treatments of once every other week after that.
Some people do feel tiny pricks when the needles are inserted for acupuncture* treatment. Some people won’t feel anything at all. If you speak with your practitioner about concerns you have about discomfort, you might feel calm going into the procedure.
You should be aware that many insurance companies don’t cover acupuncture* procedures. Find out the cost that you will need to pay out-of-pocket before you try acupuncture to relieve your headaches.
Other alternative treatments
If you’re interested in supplementing or supporting your headache treatments with holistic medicine, there are options besides acupuncture.
Essential oils and exercise might bring you pain relief. Lavender oil has been studied and found to be an effective and safeTrusted Source treatment for acute headache pain.
Studies suggestTrusted Source adopting an aerobic exercise regimen might be another option. Exercise may improve circulation, relieve stress, and increase lung capacity, among other things. People with migraines are often encouraged to adopt an aerobic exercise routine as a way to counteract the cause of their symptoms.
When to see your doctor
Acupuncture can’t take the place of traditional medicine. Some headaches require immediate medical attention, and you shouldn’t try to treat them with acupuncture*. Speak to your doctor if you’re experiencing loss of vision, dizziness, or nausea.
Headaches after a blow to the head, headaches that keep getting worse, and unusually severe headaches can all indicate that you need immediate emergency attention. Sometimes headaches can be caused by underlying factors, such as a blood pressure spike or an allergic reaction, that need to be diagnosed. Always remember to tell your doctor about alternative medical treatments that you’re receiving for an established diagnosis.
Is Acupuncture an Effective Treatment for Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s palsy, or idiopathic facial palsy, is paralysis on one side of your face caused by dysfunction of your facial nerve. Acupuncture is sometimes used to treat Bell’s palsy, but its effectiveness remains controversial.
Your facial nerves are a pair of nerves that allow you to control your facial expressions and functions such as eye blinking and smiling. People with Bell’s palsy develop symptoms such as:
- an inability to close their eye on the affected side
- a drooping eye on the affected side
- an asymmetrical smile
The lifetime risk of developing Bell’s palsy is about 1 in 60Trusted Source. Most people completely recover, but roughly 30% of people have lingering complications.
Some people believe that acupuncture could help treat Bell’s palsy by relieving inflammation around the facial nerve. Although researchers have found promising results, the quality of current research is too low to draw conclusions from.
In this article, we’ll examine what researchers have discovered so far about acupuncture for treating Bell’s palsy.
Can Bell’s palsy be treated with acupuncture?
The principles of acupuncture come from traditional Chinese medicine. It’s used to treat many different conditions, but its action on the human body isn’t well understoodTrusted Source. Some researchers think acupuncture might lower inflammation by inhibiting certain molecules, causing hormonal changes, or loosening connective tissue.
Bell’s palsy occurs when your facial nerve is inflamed or compressed. The cause of Bell’s palsy isn’t knownTrusted Source, but it’s thought that it could be caused by a viral infection, often during periods of stress, illness, or sleep deprivation.
Most casesTrusted Source of Bell’s palsy recover with or without treatment within 3 weeks. For some people, recovery takes up to 9 months, and about 30% of people have lingering complications. Medical treatment aims to promote the recovery process and minimize the risk of complications.
Corticosteroids are often prescribed to help lower inflammation around your facial nerve. Some people think that acupuncture may also be an effective treatment.
What researchers have found
In a 2015 reviewTrusted Source of 14 studies that included 1,541 people, researchers found higher partial or complete recovery rates in people with Bell’s palsy who received acupuncture compared with other treatments. But many of the studies the researchers analyzed were of low quality with a high risk of bias.
According to the researchers, acupuncture seems to be safe for Bell’s palsy, and no evidence of harm has been reported so far. But they couldn’t determine the overall rate of side effects and complications because many studies didn’t report them.
The researchers concluded that current evidence is insufficient to support acupuncture as an effective treatment. They also noted that the results should be interpreted cautiously because of the poor quality of studies.
Likewise, in a newer 2019 review of studiesTrusted Source, researchers found similar results. Out of 323 studies available, the researchers found 11 were of suitable quality for analysis.
The results of these studies suggest that acupuncture is associated with increased partial or complete recovery rates compared with people who receive drug therapies. But the researchers found a high risk of bias in the studies due to poor study designs.
The researchers concluded that despite the poor quality of studies, acupuncture seems to be superior to drug therapies for treating Bell’s palsy but that more high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings.
Does it matter when you start acupuncture for Bell’s palsy?
In a 2021 review of studiesTrusted Source, researchers investigated the timing of acupuncture for treating Bell’s palsy. They found strong evidence that acupuncture in the acute stage was associated with increased effectiveness. The acute stage was defined as the first 7 days after symptoms developed.
It’s not clear how many acupuncture sessions are optimal or how frequently acupuncture should be administered for the best results. Treatment programs in the review of studies lasted anywhere from 10 to 60 days.
What to look for in an acupuncturist
It’s important to find an acupuncturist who’s credentialed and has the necessary level of training.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthTrusted Source recommends checking the credentials of an acupuncturist before starting treatment. Most states require some level of certification or licensing to practice acupuncture, but the requirements vary by state.
Most states require a diploma from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). You can find a list of acupuncturists that hold this diploma in the NCCAOM directory.
It’s a good idea to ask a practitioner how many treatments you’ll need up front and the expected cost. Ideally, it’s best to visit an acupuncturist with experience treating people with Bell’s palsy specifically.
What else can help with Bell’s palsy?
Medical therapies for Bell’s palsy aim to speed up recovery and lower the risk of complications. Treatment for Bell’s palsy often includes:
- 10 days of steroid medications
- antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or valaciclovir
- eye drops and ointment to prevent your eye from drying out
- using surgical tape to keep your affected eye closed while sleeping
- physical therapy exercises to prevent the shortening or stiffening of your facial muscles
- in more severe and long lasting cases, different types of surgical techniques may be an option
The takeaway
Bell’s palsy is a type of facial paralysis caused by inflammation of your facial nerve. Some research suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for Bell’s palsy, but many of the available studies have been of low quality with a high risk of bias.
More research is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for treating Bell’s palsy.
If you choose to get acupuncture treatment, make sure you visit a health professional licensed to perform acupuncture in your state. It’s also a good idea to visit a practitioner with previous experience treating people with Bell’s palsy.
