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Acupuncture to treat Headaches
Everyone has experienced a headache at some point, but according to the
National Headache Foundation over 45 million Americans suffer from chronic
headaches, 28 million of these suffering from migraines. The most common
types of chronic headaches are tension headaches, migraines and sinus
headaches. Each type presents with mild to severe pain associated with other
symptoms such as muscle tension, nausea or facial pressure.
Can Acupuncture help?
Several clinical studies have shown acupuncture to be an effective option
for treating chronic headaches. In one study published in the March 15th
issue of the British Medical Journal researchers randomly divided 401 adults
with chronic headaches into 2 groups. One group received standard medical
care while the second group received 12 acupuncture treatments over a three
month span in addition to standard medical care. One year after treatment
those who received acupuncture:
Experienced 22 fewer days with headaches
Made 25% fewer visits to their doctor
Took 15% fewer days off sick from work than the control group
Used 15% less medication
Local research by Remy Coeytaux, MD (assistant professor of family medicine
at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine) demonstrated similar
findings. Dr. Coeytauxs study, published in the October 2005 issue of the
journal Headache, found that overall those who received acupuncture along
with standard medical care were 3.7 times more likely to report less
suffering from chronic headaches compared with those who received standard
medical treatment alone.
How can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture help my
headaches?
In TCM there are many different possible causes for headaches. Diagnosis of
the headache takes into account several aspects of a persons health
including sleep, digestion and emotional tendencies such as anger and
stress. Information about all of these symptoms can help the acupuncturist
differentiate the overall pattern of disharmony causing the headaches. By
treating the individual pattern, instead of the diagnosis of headache, the
patient will experience healing in many areas of their health including
resolution of the headaches.
What Will the Treatments Be Like and How Many Will I Need?
The first appointment will include a detailed medical history interview as
well as an acupuncture treatment. The acupuncture points are tailored to the
individual patients pattern of symptoms. In general when treating
headaches, acupuncture needles are inserted in the face, head and neck but
can also be used on the hands, feet, forearms, lower legs and back during
each 30- to 60-minute visit. The needles are disposable and the diameter of
two human hairs. Patients report feeling little or no pain with the needle
insertion and usually look forward to the deep sense of relaxation they feel
during the treatments.
The number of visits youll need usually depends on the severity of your
headaches, although patients should start feeling better after a few
treatments. After the first visit, the acupuncturist will develop a
treatment plan which outlines how often and how many treatments the patient
will need. The results of treatment are thought to be cumulative which means
that it is worth it to come initially more frequently. Getting treated twice
a week for two weeks will establish a healing trend which then may only need
to be maintained by weekly or eventually monthly treatments. If you make the
commitment to get treated regularly early on, the acupuncture will have a
more significant effect and you will need less treatments in the long term
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