Brain Talks: Neuro-acupuncture for Migraine Relief with Jennifer Midlane

In this episode of the Well Nurtured Brain, Dr. Pamela welcomes Jennifer Midlane, a Neuro-acupuncturist specializing in neurological conditions. Jennifer shares her personal journey of recovery from a brain injury and how it led her to pursue neuroacupuncture—a unique blend of traditional Chinese medicine and modern neurological insights. Together, they explore the fascinating role of acupuncture in migraine treatment, discussing research, including brain imaging studies and a landmark Cochrane review on its effectiveness. They also dive into the challenges of studying acupuncture, its impact on brain function, and how it offers a promising alternative for migraine sufferers, including those seeking drug-free options.

About Jennifer:

Jennifer, born and raised in Victoria, BC, draws inspiration from her Chinese heritage to promote longevity and wellness through Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Her passion for acupuncture and neurological health began after a brain injury from a car accident left her in a medically induced coma for ten days. While many health professionals aided her recovery, acupuncture was key to her full healing.

Motivated by her experience, Jennifer specializes in acupuncture for pain and neurological conditions. She graduated from Pacific Rim College in 2016, became licensed with CTCMA, and pursued advanced training in neuro-acupuncture. She holds certifications from the Neuro-Acupuncture Institute (NAI) and the Complete Concussion Management Institute (CCMI), studying under experts like Dr. Jason Hao, Dr. Poney Chiang, and Dr. Joseph Wong.

Jennifer integrates modern neuroscience with classical acupuncture to help those with conditions like stroke, MS, neuropathy, and Bell’s Palsy. Inspired by her recovery, family, and nature, she is dedicated to improving lives through neuro-acupuncture

Connect with Jennifer:

Neuroacupuncture.com

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Email: [email protected] 

Episode References: 

 

Al-Twaijri, W. A., & Shevell, M. I. (2002). Pediatric migraine equivalents: Occurrence and clinical features in practice. Pediatric Neurology, 26(5), 365–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0887-8994(01)00416-7

 

Burnstock, G. (2009). Acupuncture: A novel hypothesis for the involvement of purinergic signalling. Medical Hypotheses, 73(4), 470-472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2009.05.031

 

Curatolo, M. (2024). Central sensitization and pain: Pathophysiologic and clinical insights. Current Neuropharmacology, 22(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X20666221012112725

 

Evidence Based Acupuncture. (n.d.). Home. https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/

 

Fried, N. T., Elliott, M. B., & Oshinsky, M. L. (2017). The role of adenosine signaling in headache: A review. Brain Sciences, 7(3), 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci7030030

 

Gelfand, A. A., Goadsby, P. J., & Allen, I. E. (2015). The relationship between migraine and infant colic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cephalalgia, 35(1), 63-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102414534326

 

Huang, M., Wang, X., Xing, B., Yang, H., Sa, Z., Zhang, D., Yao, W., Yin, N., Xia, Y., & Ding, G. (2018). Critical roles of TRPV2 channels, histamine H1, and adenosine A1 receptors in the initiation of acupoint signals for acupuncture analgesia. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 6523. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24654-y

 

Jiang, Y., Bai, P., Chen, H., Zhang, X., Tang, X., Chen, H., Hu, Y., Wang, X., Li, X., Li, Y., & Tian, G. (2018). The effect of acupuncture on the quality of life in patients with migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 381098. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01190

 

Jin, G., Jin, L. L., Jin, B. X., Zheng, J., He, B. J., & Li, S. (2023). Neural control of cerebral blood flow: Scientific basis of scalp acupuncture in treating brain diseases. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 1210537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1210537

 

Linde, K., Allais, G., Brinkhaus, B., Fei, Y., Mehring, M., Vertosick, E. A., Vickers, A., & White, A. R. (2016). Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016(6), CD001218. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3

 

Liu, L., Tian, T., Li, X., Wang, Y., Xu, T., Ni, X., Li, X., He, Z., Gao, S., Sun, M., Liang, F., & Zhao, L. (2021). Revealing the neural mechanism underlying the effects of acupuncture on migraine: A systematic review. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 674852. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.674852

 

 

Liu, S., Luo, S., Yan, T., Ma, W., Wei, X., Chen, Y., Zhan, S., & Wang, B. (2021). Differential modulating effect of acupuncture in patients with migraine without aura: A resting functional magnetic resonance study. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 680896. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.680896

 

Rimmele, F., Müller, B., Becker-Hingst, N., Wegener, S., Rimmele, S., Kropp, P., & Jürgens, T. P. (2023). Medication adherence in patients with cluster headache and migraine: An online survey. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 4546. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30854-y

 

Schnyer, R. N., & Hullender Rubin, L. (2020). Overcoming barriers in clinical acupuncture research: Translating clinical practice into fundamental science. Medical Acupuncture, 32(6), 388-390. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2020.1479

 

Takano, T., Chen, X., Luo, F., Fujita, T., Ren, Z., Goldman, N., Zhao, Y., Markman, J. D., & Nedergaard, M. (2012). Traditional acupuncture triggers a local increase in adenosine in human subjects. Journal of Pain, 13(12), 1215-1223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2012.09.012