Acupuncture effective for tension-type headache

Yet another study, this time from Germany, shows that acupuncture is more effective than routine care for headaches, this time for tension headaches specifically. This is another study looks at studies already performed and compiles the data. Two large trials compared acupuncture to treatment of acute headaches or routine care only. Both found statistically significant and clinically relevant short-term (up to 3 months) benefits of acupuncture over control for response, number of headache days and pain intensity. There were other studies included also.
“AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: In the previous version of this review, evidence in support of acupuncture for tension-type headache was considered insufficient. Now, with six additional trials, the authors conclude that acupuncture could be a valuable non-pharmacological tool in patients with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches.”
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD007587 Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B,Manheimer E, Vickers A, White AR.
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