To observe the effect of liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture combined with acupuncture bloodletting in the treatment of migraines with liver-Yang hyperactivity in order to seek the effective treatment for the patients.

A total of 156 migraine patients with liver-Yang hyperactivity syndrome (admitted from June 2021 to June 2023) were divided into two groups by random number table method, which were divided into Western medicine group and acupuncture group, with 78 cases in each group. All patients in the Western group were treated with Western medicine (Rizatriptan Benzoate Tablet). All patients in the acupuncture group were treated with liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture combined with acupuncture bloodletting. The data of each group was compared, including the clinical efficacy, the adverse reactions, the changes in scores of TCM symptoms (headache and distension, flushed face, restless sleep, irritability, etc.) before and after treatment, the frequency of headache attacks and duration of each headache in the patients 1 week before and 1 week after treatment, the changes in average blood flow velocity of patients' anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries before and after treatment, the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire [(Medical Research Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ)] and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the recurrence rate at 6 months after treatment.

The total effective rate of the acupuncture group was higher than that of the Western medicine group (P<0.05). The disease recurrence rate in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medicine group 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate of the acupuncture group was lower than that of the Western medicine group (P<0.05). The frequency of headache attack, the duration of each headache, the symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine before treatment (swollen headache, red face, restless sleep, irritability, etc.), the average blood flow velocity of anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries, MSQ and PSQI scores were not significant (P>0.05). One week after treatment, the frequency of headache attack and the duration of each headache decreased in both groups, and the frequency of headache attack and the duration of each headache in acupuncture group were lower than those in western medicine group (P<0.05). After treatment, TCM symptoms (headache and distension, flushed face, restless sleep, irritability, etc.), average blood flow velocity of anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries, MSQ and PSQI scores were improved in both groups. After treatment, TCM symptoms (headache and distension, flushed face, restless sleep, irritability, etc.), average blood flow velocity of anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries, MSQ and PSQI scores in the acupuncture group were all better than those in the western medicine group (P<0.05).

The clinical effect of liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture combined with acupuncture bloodletting in the treatment of migraines with liver-Yang hyperactivity is remarkable. The headache of the patients is significantly improved, the quality of life is improved, the adverse reaction rate and recurrence rate are low, and the treatment is safe and reliable.