People that suffer from tension headaches often have tight, oppressive pain all over their head that can be quite severe in intensity. Estimates show that around 3% of the population experience chronic, daily headaches, and up to 40% will experience them regularly, with women being twice as likely as men.
What is Causing My Tension Headaches?
Tension headaches normally are caused by muscles – most often in the upper back and neck – that are carrying excessive tension that literally squeeze the head. Excessive tension, known as hypertonicity stems from:
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Depression/Anxiety
- Hunger or Dehydration
- Inadequate sleep
- Overwork
How Can Acupuncture Help Me
As a provider, tension headaches are among the most common issues I treat, and I have had the good fortune of being very successful at relieving the underlying causes for most peoples’ headaches. Aside from my personal experiences, research has also established acupuncture to be a valuable option for patients that suffer from frequent tension headaches. The take-away message from an analysis of 11 trials showed that people receiving acupuncture had over 50% reduction in headaches. Of course, these studies were done using only acupuncture, and did not include Chinese Cupping and Tui Na therapies, which can greatly amplify the results.
If you or someone you know suffers from frequent headaches, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be just what you need!
