Can acupuncture help treat Chronic and Tension Headaches?

Yes is the short answer. Acupuncture is an effective intervention for both chronic and tension headaches(1) .

‘The Acupuncture Evidence Project’ is a research paper which has looked at all of the available good-quality research on acupuncture. The review has supported what we have seen in the clinic for a long time; that is, that acupuncture is effective for treating both chronic and tension-type headaches (1).

How can acupuncture help chronic or tension headaches?

When we meet new patients, we will always use our Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods for diagnosis. Not all headaches are created in the same way, so by diagnosing each person as an individual, we are able to come up with a ‘pattern’ that we believe contributes to your frequent headaches. Once we see your ‘pattern’, we gain clues as to how we can change the pattern using acupuncture, so that we help stop the headaches!

The end results: less headaches, less tension, less reliance on other pain medications, and a better quality of life (2).

As TCM practitioners, we will always incorporate and lifestyle and dietary advice in order to help reduce your headaches. Likewise, as part of your treatment you may receive some Traditional Chinese cupping, especially if you suffer from chronic tension headaches.

Acupuncture has been used for many hundreds of years. Recent research is supporting what clinics have seen for years, that acupuncture is an effective treatment across a broad range of illnesses. If you would like to download or read a copy of the latest “Acupuncture Evidence Project”, then please visit our association’s website.

Chronic and tension headaches

Want to know more about how we may help with your current health concerns?

If you are looking for an acupuncture clinic in Brisbane where the practitioners pride themselves on their dedication to their work, then please get in touch. Phone us today at 3357 3205 or book online via the link below.

References

1. McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised Edition).      Brisbane: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

2. Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Fei Y, Mehring M, Shin BC, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4:Cd007587