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Acupuncture Relieves Tension Headaches

Needle Your Tension Away

March 27, 2009

Once considered a form of quackery, acupuncture is slowly gaining respect in the world of Western medicine. This alternative therapy has been shown to reduce pain associated with menstrual cramps, and a review of 11 studies found acupuncture to be useful for relieving tension headaches. Caused by tense muscles in the neck, head, or scalp, tension headaches chronically affect about 45 million Americans. Tension headaches are commonly treated with over-the-counter pain medication, but researchers believe that acupuncture could be a "valuable option" for folks suffering from chronic tension headaches. Have you ever been needled to relieve pain? If so, do you think it worked?

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18 Comments

HollyJRockNRoll 2 years 36 weeks

I want to try this.

HollyJRockNRoll 2 years 36 weeks

I want to try this.

2 years 36 weeks

It has helped me recover from a decade long chronic pain in my upper back,neck and head.I can't say how thankful i am for this treatment to be available.Earlier I had spent most of my earnings on medicines with my condition only worsening over time.I was skeptic initially considering this to be quack treatment.But the results are for real! May God bless my Acupuncturist!

plus_2_kid 4 years 8 weeks

I had it on my ears for allergies. It was awesome. I had it in my back for a strained muscle but I got so freaked out about moving, and bending or breaking the needles off that I think I tensed up more than before. That said, the pain went away but I don't know if that was the accupuncture or just time.

plus_2_kid 4 years 8 weeks

I had it on my ears for allergies. It was awesome.I had it in my back for a strained muscle but I got so freaked out about moving, and bending or breaking the needles off that I think I tensed up more than before. That said, the pain went away but I don't know if that was the accupuncture or just time.

MonkiChriz 4 years 8 weeks

I went to my mom's acupuncturist for migraines. After about 5 sessions, they're basically gone. The only headaches I get now are the occassional really minor tension headaches. The pain level is very minimal. The pain from the needles is about the same level as the pain from tweezing your eyebrows...and I'm sure all of us are pros at handling that level of "pain." And yes, my acupuncturist used a fresh box of needles at every visit. The only thing I worried about was some unintentional drooling. (I fell asleep.)

tlsgirl 4 years 8 weeks

I've always wanted to try it for anxiety.

SanDiegoLove 4 years 8 weeks

I went to an acupuncturist for migraines. I wanted a treatment that would relieve the pain without huge amounts of painkillers and expensive MRIs. Not only did he treat the pain, he used a couple basic diagnostic tests to tell me what was causing them. I felt amazing after just the first session, and I'm looking forward to the results of the second session. He was very relaxed and told me there was no pressure to keep coming if I felt like the treatment wasn't for me. Also, he was very hygienic (probably washed his hands 3 times during my visit), and used a brand new pack of needles.

dunnonuttin 4 years 8 weeks

I injured my back at work several years ago and lived with the pain forever. Desperate for relief - I went to acupuncturist and the pain was gone after two sessions! I now go every 6 months to a year for maintenance. I love how relaxed I feel afterwards. Love it.

michlny 4 years 8 weeks

I have a random pain in my butt muscle and I've been going to an acupuncturist for a few weeks and it's almost at 100%!

amycullen2 4 years 8 weeks

Absolutely! I have a very painful disease called Endometriosis and acupuncture helps with pain of it as well as the stress of my job.

bethinabox 4 years 8 weeks

I haven't ever needed acupuncture, but my brother has and it worked for him, so I wouldn't be averse to trying it.

Special-K 4 years 8 weeks

I had been a complete wreck after injuring my back. I had joint injections, physical therapy, pain medication, etc. Just as I was about to give up I gave acupuncture a try. I went from being pretty immobile to enjoying my life again after twelve visits!

sandy82 4 years 8 weeks

acupuncture is amazing and it can treat so many ailments. I adore my acupuncturist. He's kept me healthy for years!

misskacie 4 years 8 weeks

Well, I would certainly hope NOW they'd use different needles each time! That seems so "duh" in retrospect (on the clinic's part). I still would never try it, needles put the fear of God into me.

4 years 8 weeks

Misskacie sorry to hear that but most practicioners now use disposable needles which are unpacked from sterile packs before use. I find acupuncture amazing and its definately a lot healthier than taking painkillers.

misskacie 4 years 8 weeks

No, because my friend's father tried it an subsequently died. Although he went to an apparently reputable clinic, the acupunture specialist didn't properly sterilize the needles. The man contracted a bacterium that killed him within a week.Yeah, I know, Debbie Downer. :) But yeah, no thanks!

misskacie 4 years 8 weeks

No, because my friend's father tried it an subsequently died. Although he went to an apparently reputable clinic, the acupunture specialist didn't properly sterilize the needles. The man contracted a bacterium that killed him within a week. Yeah, I know, Debbie Downer. :) But yeah, no thanks!

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