Acupuncture and Headache

There have now been a number of ‘placebo-controlled’ trials of acupuncture for headache patients.  The placebo is done utilizing ‘sham’ acupuncture.  Unfortunately, the majority of the trials have failed to demonstrate efficacy for acupuncture over placebo.  We utilized acupuncture in our clinic for several years, but abandoned it due to general lack of efficacy.  Despite the controlled trials, some people do receive benefit from acupuncture for headache.