Acupuncture & Headaches: Part 1 – Natural Relief for Chronic Headache

Forty five million Americans suffer from chronic headaches. (1) Worldwide, 1.7% – 4% of the adult population has headaches on 15 or more days of every month. Along with personal suffering and financial cost, chronic headaches impacts quality of life, employment and work productivity. (2)

Not all headaches are the same when it comes to symptoms and causes or treatments. There are tension headaches, chronic headaches, sinus headaches and various types of migraines. Often symptoms, causes and triggers overlap but each has distinct features. Sadly they are all treated with drugs that, with prolonged or misuse, can have serious side effects that damage the kidneys or liver.

Acupuncture is a natural and safe alternative or adjunctive treatment for chronic headaches. Studies show acupuncture reduces the frequency and severity of headaches which means that even if you prone to headaches, getting them less often and to a lesser degree can greatly improve quality of life and enable you to eliminate or minimize harmful medications.

In Part 2 of the Acupuncture for Headache series, I will talk in greater detail on Migraines, how to differentiate them from other types, the causes and use of acupuncture herbs and other alternative treatments.

1 WebMD. Migraine & Headache Health Center. http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/migraines-headaches-overview

2 World Health Organization. Headache Disorders. 10/2012. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs277/en/