/ Health Concerns / Internal Problems

Headache Tension Type

Introduction

Headaches are a prevalent health issue that can significantly impact daily life and productivity. They can manifest in various forms, including migraines, tension-type headaches, and chronic headache disorders, each requiring different treatment approaches. Traditional treatments often involve medications, which may not be effective for everyone and can come with side effects. As a result, many individuals seek alternative therapies such as acupuncture. This ancient practice, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has gained attention for its potential to alleviate headache symptoms. Recent research has explored the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in managing headaches, revealing promising findings that may support its inclusion in comprehensive treatment plans.

Acupuncture has been identified as a cost-effective treatment option for headaches (Kim 2012) . It plays a potentially significant role in managing migraine, tension-type headaches, and various chronic headache disorders, demonstrating cost-effectiveness in countries such as Germany and the UK (Coeytaux 2016 – Brief review of selected systematic reviews and meta-analyses). Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of headache pain, as well as related disability in the workplace (Lardon 2016 – systematic review of 15 RCTs). It is also considered effective for frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches (Linde 2016 – Cochrane systematic review of 12 RCTs). Notably, acupuncture has been included in the NICE guidelines for headache management since 2012.