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    neurology

    Migraine (adjunctive care)

    Also known as: migraine, migraine with aura, migraine without aura, chronic migraine, menstrual migraine

    Migraine is a neurological condition causing recurrent moderate-to-severe headache, often one-sided and throbbing, with nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and sometimes aura. Acute and preventive medication are the medical mainstay; acupuncture has good evidence as a preventive option and Chinese medicine can support trigger management alongside medical care.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Keep a headache diary — triggers, sleep, food, cycle — and bring it to medical appointments.
    • •Keep sleep, meals and hydration regular; irregular routines are among the strongest triggers.
    • •Limit acute painkiller use to avoid medication-overuse headache — discuss frequency with the GP.
    • •Regular moderate aerobic exercise has evidence for reducing attack frequency.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Never attribute a new or changed headache pattern to a TCM pattern without medical exclusion of secondary causes.[,]
    • •LI4 and SP6 are contraindicated in pregnancy.[]
    • •Acupuncture is adjunctive — patients on preventive medication should not reduce doses without their prescriber.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Track attack frequency, duration, intensity (0–10) and acute medication use monthly via a headache diary. Review after 8–10 acupuncture sessions; if no improvement, refer back to the GP or neurologist.

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    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Migraine — Healthdirect
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. Headache — diagnostic approach and red flags
      Australian Family Physician (RACGP) · 2022
    3. Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis — Cochrane review
      Cochrane · 2016
    4. Vickers et al. — Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis
      JAMA Internal Medicine · 2012
    5. Chinese medicine practitioner safety standards
      AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.