Migraine

Several RCTs and Cochrane reviews have confirmed that acupuncture significantly reduces the frequency of migraine attacks and that the preventive effect lasts for more than three months. The Standard Clinical Practice Guidelines for Korean Medicine also recommend acupuncture as a preventive treatment for migraines. While triptans provide rapid relief during the acute phase, acupuncture is more suitable for long-term prevention, medication reduction, and MOH recovery. The Dongjedang Head and Face Clinic applies acupuncture to acupoints located at the Gastrodia elata, dorsum of the foot, back of the neck, and crown to regulate liver yang hyperactivity in migraine patients, alongside craniosacral manual therapy to open blocked cerebral blood flow. Adding the acupoint stimulation effect with pharmacopuncture (Gastrodia elata pharmacopuncture) often prolongs the interval between attacks. The dosage is gradually reduced in parallel with triptans, and the treatment transitions to maintenance therapy after stabilization.