Acupuncture works in a more effective manner, than conventional drugs such as aspirin, in reducing intensity and frequency of chronic headaches, reports a team of researchers from United States.
The study, which involved 4000 patients with migraine, tension headaches and other chronic forms of headaches, found that about 62 percent of patients who were subjected to acupuncture treatment had considerable relief from headaches, as against only 45 percent of patients taking medications, the Duke University team reported.
According to Dr. Tong Joo Gan, the Study Lead, Acupuncture is growing to be the preferred mode of treatment for several ailments, ranging from boosting fertility to decreasing post-operative pains. This may be because people experience significantly lower side effects and the entire procedure is less expensive than other options.
“This analysis emphasizes that acupuncture is a successful source of relief from chronic headaches,” he added.
According to Gan, the only barrier to treatment with acupuncture, is, getting people to understand that although needles are used, it is not a painful experience. It is only a method for the body to release its own natural painkillers.
In the acupuncture mode of treatment, each patient required only an average of five to six visits to report relief from headache.
Several other studies have already proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in alleviating post-operative pain, relieving hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, while also reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Tags: Acupuncture, chronic headaches, headache, migraine