Migraine is a common presentation to primary care clinics. Current pharmacologic treatments offered by physicians have notable side effects and may be a financial burden. Understandably, patients are looking to alternative therapies. However, primary care providers may not be able to provide an educated opinion about whether these therapies are reasonable to pursue. Fraser provides insight into one such therapy through leading the discussion on a randomized controlled trial examining the use of therapeutic acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis.

Next, Kieran takes listeners through a randomized controlled trial that studied the use of pregabalin in the treatment of moderate to severe sciatica. Sciatica is common and problematic for both patients (who suffer with it), and for physicians (who suffer trying to find effective treatments for it!). Since pregablin is effective in reducing certain types of neuropathic pain such as postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy, it is reasonable to hypothesize that it may also be effective in the treatment of sciatica, a form of neuropathic pain due to inflammation of the nerve root.

Lastly, it wouldn’t be The Rounds Table without the Good Stuff segment! Fraser discusses how customizing personal possessions improves performance. Kieran then shares an article on the role of Uber in reducing alcohol related car accidents.

Like what you hear? Rate us on iTunes! Chat with us on Twitter @roundstable and tweet at Kieran directly @kieranlquinn.

The Papers

1. Acupuncture for Migraine: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2603492

2. Pregabalin for Sciatica: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1614292

Good Stuff

1. Driving Uber the Influence: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/business/uber-drunk-driving-prevention.html

2. Get Your Flare On! https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/put-a-bird-on-it/

Music Credits

The Rounds Table Theme Music by Brendan Quinn, Creative Director and Composer, Vapor RMW

The post Keep Calm and Get Your Analgesic On: Acupuncture for Migraine Prophylaxis and Pregabalin for Sciatica appeared first on Healthy Debate.