By Timothy F Sobo MAOM, Licensed Acupuncturist
Exciting news for anybody who suffers from CDH or Chronic Daily Headache, new research concludes that acupuncture is highly effective in reducing the intensity of pain for chronic tension headaches and migraines. The study notes that acupuncture therapy reduces the intensity and duration of headaches and in addition the evidence suggests that acupuncture can reduce the need for drug therapy.
In addition, patients suffering from nausea due to headaches and migraines showed a significant decrease in nausea levels.
In related recent research, acupuncture was found more effective and a safer alternative than migraine medication. Researchers discovered that acupuncture effectively reduced migraine pain intensity levels and no adverse effects occurred. In contrast in the same study, the patients who received the medication valproic acid did not have the same level of clinical benefits as acupuncture and nearly half of patients suffered adverse side effects from the drug.
References:
Sozen, Ayse, et al. “Effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic daily headaches: A sham-controlled clinical trail.” Acta Medica 29 (2013): 167.
Facco, E., et al. “Acupuncture Versus Valproic Acid In The Prophylaxis Of Migraine Without Aura: A Prospective Controlled Study.” Minerva anestesiologica (2013).
Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Maschino AC, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. Published online September 10, 2012. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3654.
Photo Credit: Flickr/Brandon Koger
