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Neuropediatrics 2019; 50(06): 346-352
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1695785
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Acupuncture in Adult and Pediatric Headache: A Narrative Review

Elizabeth Doll
1   Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
,
Brooke Threlkeld
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
,
Danielle Graff
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
,
Rob Clemons
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
,
Olivia Mittel
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
,
Michael K. Sowell
1   Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
,
Mark McDonald
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 December 2018

07 June 2019

Publication Date:
29 August 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Headaches in children and adolescents remain a very common problem with migraine being the most common headache disorder to present to medical attention. The approach to the treatment of migraine in children has consisted of treatment with acute and preventive medications, combined with lifestyle modification and behavioral interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. With increasing frequency, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches, including acupuncture, are often recommended in the pediatric population to address significant disability with limited evidence-based treatment options. In this article, the authors conduct a review of acupuncture in pediatric headache, including neurobiological mechanisms, adult headache studies, pediatric headache studies, safety, and use of acupuncture in other conditions in children. This article aims to summarize the currently available evidence with which to recommend acupuncture in children for the adjunctive treatment of headache. Acupuncture appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of migraine in children.

Keywords

headache - acupuncture - pediatric - complementary and alternative - children
 

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