Accupuncture vs Topiramate: New Study in October Cephalgi ( Oct 21, 2011)Shows Superior Results With Accupunture

Neuromuscular Dentistry and accupuncture bot work by restoring normal physiologic states to the body compared to drug treatments that can destroy chemical balance. The current study shows accupuncture to be superior to topiramate but of greater importance is the frequency of side effects. (abstract below)

I will state that Neuromuscular Diagnostic orthotics almost always give better results than either therapy. I frequently work with patients on extremely high levels of medication that is gradually reduced by their physician following treatment. One of the most difficult issues in treating headache patients is medication withdrawal.

Topiramate had adverse events or side effects in 66% of patients compared to 6% in accupuncture group. This level of side effects for drug therapy is enormous considering it did not work as well as accupunture.

The reduction in headaches days was significantly greater with accupuncture.

Cephalalgia. 2011 Oct 21. [Epub ahead of print]

Acupuncture versus topiramate in chronic migraine prophylaxis: A randomized clinical trial.

Yang CP, Chang MH, Liu PE, Li TC, Hsieh CL, Hwang KL, Chang HH.

Source

Kuang Tien General Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of acupuncture compared with topiramate treatment in chronic migraine (CM) prophylaxis. Methods: A total of 66 consecutive and prospective CM patients were randomly divided into two treatment arms: 1) acupuncture group: acupuncture administered in 24 sessions over 12 weeks (n = 33); and 2) topiramate group: a 4-week titration, initiated at 25 mg/day and increased by 25 mg/day weekly to a maximum of 100 mg/day followed by an 8-week maintenance period (n = 33). Results: A significantly larger decrease in the mean monthly number of moderate/severe headache days (primary end point) from 20.2 ± 1.5 days to 9.8 ± 2.8 days was observed in the acupuncture group compared with 19.8 ± 1.7 days to 12.0 ± 4.1 days in the topiramate group (p < .01) Significant differences favoring acupuncture were also observed for all secondary efficacy variables. These significant differences still existed when we focused on those patients who were overusing acute medication. Adverse events occurred in 6% of acupuncture group and 66% of topiramate group. Conclusion: We suggest that acupuncture could be considered a treatment option for CM patients willing to undergo this prophylactic treatment, even for those patients with medication overuse.

PMID:

22019576

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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