Non-Pharmacologic treatment of migraine using and acupuncture: a case report

Most migraine patients report that headaches have adverse affects on employment and productivity.3,4 Indirect costs exceed the direct for MH, with an estimated financial burden of $12 billion to US employers nationwide.6 Estimated annual US direct costs are overly reported at $11 billion a year.7 Recent studies show direct and indirect costs to manage migraines are extremely expensive and there is a greater financial burden linked to indirect costs.8,9 Reports that the estimated indirect costs in the United States are 13 billion dollars per year and direct medical costs are approximately 1 billion dollars per year which is very high (18). It is estimated that that 2.6 million women and 0.8 million men have migraines2 Those who experience migraine report a reduction in ability to complete daily activities including self care, family care, and poor work performance (19). Finding successful management strategies for these headaches is in the best interest of the patient, the provider, and the agencies funding treatment and overall national wellness and productivity.