A research study published by the Cochrane Library in 2016 concluded a course of six acupuncture treatments can be a viable option in the treatment of tension-type headaches. According to the study,participants treated with acupuncture and pain-killers reported their headache frequency was less.
This study was actually a compilation of several acupuncture trials. A total of 12 trials met the criteria to be included in this conclusive study. Acupuncture was also compared to several other modalities such as massage and physiotherapy, but the findings were inconclusive. Some also find that going to buy cannabis online to use for pain relief can help, and some combine the two techniques for better effects.
Tension headaches are not as debilitating as migraines, but they can occur much more frequently and they are the most common type of headache experienced. Stress tends to be the biggest factor regarding these types of headaches. Those who suffer from tension headaches frequently report a feeling of their head being squeezed, with pressure around the forehead, temples and back of the head or neck. Tension headaches can last for as short as 30 minutes or they could linger for days. Often pain relief is needed to get on with day-to-day activities, whether that be prescription or a more natural form, such as CBD. This cannabinoid is often used for pain relief, including tension headaches, and can be taken in many different forms to relieve this ailment, such as an oil, capsules, or Organic CBD Coffee. On the topic of forms of CBD, many people have been switching to water-soluble CBD as an alternative to using the commonly used oil. Dissolvable CBD can not only be consumed in many different ways, but it is also easier for the body to consume it; oil doesn’t mix well with water, and seeing as most of our bodies are composed of water, only about 6% of CBD can be absorbed by the body in oil form! For more information on this water soluble cbd, whether that be for your headaches or another ailment, visit Caliper CBD.
While the exact cause is still not clear, they are most commonly attributed to muscle tension or spasms of the head, face, scalp or jaw. Tension headaches are considered chronic if a person experiences them 15 or more days per month for several months. The most common treatment is over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. Severe cases are sometimes treated with prescription drugs, but they tend to fail because they do not address the root cause of the pain. Some will even go for alternative medicine to help them combat these debilitating pains, missouri marijuana is a herbal option that has been used by many, it has been said to help with chronic pain and inflammation by long term sufferers.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is known for locating and treating the root cause of any ailment, including tension headaches. One of the ways TCM treats the root is by identifying personal triggers that create tension-type headaches. The licensed acupuncturist plays the role of a detective when treating patients. Acupuncturists usually ask multiple questions regarding the symptoms of any illness, including tension-type headaches. This allows for proper diagnosis and treatments. This can also give the patient insight into why the discomfort keeps occurring and how they can eliminate some of the triggers.
TCM includes more than just acupuncture. Herbal formulas, accessory modalities such as cupping or tuina and even relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or qi gong are a part of TCM. Acupuncture itself provides relief with a great deal of success. As few as one or two needles can be sufficient in stopping tension-type headaches. Acupuncture is also very effective at providing relief from stress and anxiety, two of the most common triggers. By adding in herbs and accessory modalities, the patient then has the tools needed to counter oncoming headaches on a long-term basis. The acupuncture treatments then become a type of maintenance to keep the pain at bay.
A person suffering from tension-type headaches could benefit greatly from regular acupuncture treatments. If you are one of the nearly 1.4 billion people that suffer regularly from tension-type headaches, locating a licensed acupuncturist in your area may be the best decision you can make.
About the author
Steve Rosenthal, L.Ac. practices Acupuncture at Washington Wellness Center. He can be contacted at WashingtonWellnessCenter.com or RosenthalAcupunctureNJ.com.