I have been suffering from migraine headaches periodically, for several years and am on medication for the same. Of late I’ve kind of gotten tired of taking these drugs. There’s no permanent cure for migraines. I would like to try something different.
1. Can acupuncture relieve migraine headaches?
2. If yes, when should I seek out an acupuncturist — before a migraine develops or after?
3. What will the treatment involve and how long will it take for pain relief to set in? Will it take longer than drugs?
4. How much will it cost, and how many sessions will it take? What are the risks involved?
5. Most importantly, how do I know whether an acupuncturist is qualified to treat? Is there a certificate or degree that I should look out for?
1. Yes, acupuncture can relieve migraine headaches and can often lead to a cure.
2. Before is better but acupuncture can help even during an attack.
3. The treatment involves insertion of needles into acupuncture points on the head, arms and legs. Pain relief is usually in the first 5-6 sessions. In acute attacks pain relief can occur within 5-7 minutes which is faster than any drug.
4. Cost varies according to the location of the practitioner, his experience, type of needles and equipment used. The treatment usually takes 8-20 sessions.
5. Ask around among your friends and acquaintances if they have been treated by a good acupuncturist. If the treatment has worked on them it is likely to work on you. A diploma in acupuncture is about the minimum qualification. Certification in India is not a reliable guide to the competence or knowledge of the acupuncturist. Speaking to patients of the acupuncturist will be a more accurate indicator of competence.

I’ve taken homeopathic treatment because of sweaty palms for 1 year but of no benefit. Would it be advisable to go for an operation to cut the sympathetic nerves near the spine that control sweating? What are the chances of success? Are there any side effects? Which doctor should I consult? I would prefer to opt for a drug treatment, ayurvedic or allopathic.
Before you think of Surgery maybe you should take a look at some very effective topical remedies. Gluteraldehyde is a good option. It is used as a 2% solution (Cidex solution) for topical application to the palms. The feet require a concentration of 10%. It should be applied thrice a week and then reduced to once a week. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate in absolute alcohol can be used for 3 nights followed by every 5 days; iontopher-esis is another procedure using tap water or other chemicals. If all these meth¬ods fail, or you are not satisfied with the results, you can opt for surgery usually conducted by a thoracic surgeon.