Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headache pain. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles tighten and contract in response to stress or an injury. While many people treat these aches and pains with over-the-counter medications, you may need more potent pharmaceuticals to combat severe or chronic pain.
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we want you to know that there may be other viable options for treating tension headaches, like the ancient art of acupuncture.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting tiny needles into strategic points on the body. Many Asian cultures believe in Qi, a significant energy source that flows through the body. When this energy source gets disrupted, it can cause pain and illness. Traditional acupuncture was thought to unblock the sources of energy disruption, balancing a person’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
Acupuncturists believe there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body located on meridians, or pathways practitioners have charted over centuries of acupuncture practice. Relieving pain involves placing thin needles into the skin along specific meridian points. Although many people are reluctant to try acupuncture because it involves needles, most people experience little to no pain and find the process relaxing and therapeutic.
You don’t have to believe in Chinese philosophy to get into acupuncture. Modern medicine suggests that acupuncture may stimulate the central nervous system, trigger the release of endorphins, speed up the relay of electromagnetic signals, and alter the release of neurotransmitters. Numerous studies on acupuncture show that the procedure can help alleviate pain associated with debilitating conditions such as osteoarthritis, migraines, tension headaches, and fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture and Tension Headaches
Studies show that acupuncture can be a viable non-pharmaceutical treatment option for those suffering from painful tension headaches. Acupuncture seems to reduce the number of headache days and relieve pain and tension. A recent study involving migraines found that acupuncture helped reduce the frequency of headaches, reduce the length of painful episodes, reduce pain, and help prevent headaches from recurring. Study participants also indicated they experienced fewer side effects compared with traditional migraine treatments.
How quickly a person can experience symptom improvement depends on the severity of their condition. Many say they find significant symptom improvement in as little as one to three acupuncture sessions. For others, it may take more sessions to achieve optimal headache-relief results. There seems to be a consensus that acupuncture’s effects are cumulative: a patient feels the full benefits of the treatment after a series of treatments over time.
Those suffering from the pain and pressure caused by tension headaches may find that not only does acupuncture help treat painful symptoms but that the acupuncture process itself helps to reduce stress and anxiety, both of which are significant causes of tension headaches.
Acupuncture is often used in Western medicine as a complementary procedure. Physicians can combine it with traditional Western medicine therapies and treatments for a balanced treatment approach. Talk to your doctor if you want to add acupuncture to your wellness routine. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we take a “whole person” approach to pain management and tension headache treatment. We work with you to find therapeutic options and complementary treatments that maximize pain relief and get you back on your feet again.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Whether Acupuncture Can Help You Manage Your Tension Headaches
Are you struggling to manage the painful symptoms of tension headaches? You don’t have to live with the pain. Several options are available to you, including acupuncture. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we want to work with you to find suitable therapies that address your healthcare needs. Medications and pharmaceuticals aren’t your only pain relief options.
Contact our office today and schedule an appointment to discuss which tension headache treatments may be right for you.