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Acupuncture for Headache Treatment - Therapy or Placebo?

Darija Mahović Lakušić

Sažetak

Acupuncture is an old Chinese method of treatment with needles that are inserted into designated areas on the skin. The practice of acupuncture began in China and the first book describing the treatment dates back to 475 BC. In 1979 the World Health Organization created a list of 43 diseases that may benefit from acupuncture. After more than 2,000 scientific studies concerning acupuncture were reviewed at the National Institute of Health conference held in 1997, it was concluded that there were sufficient evidence supporting the use of acupuncture as an adjuvant treatment method. Several different theories about the mechanism of action have been identified for acupuncture. Studies suggested that acupuncture could result in inhibition of pain transmission to the central nervous system by stimulation of afferent A-delta and C fibres, as well as in neuromodulation. Acupuncture also facilitates the release of anti-algal agents, including endorphins. It is an extremely safe method of treatment if performed by adequately trained practitioners. The most common side effects are mild and include the following: minor bruising or bleeding where the needles puncture the skin, worsening of pre-existing symptoms, drowsiness, relaxation or euphoria (often experienced as a pleasant feeling) and pain where the needles puncture the skin. The 2016 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews includes reviews that demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture for the prophylaxis of episodic tension-type headaches (TTH) and migraines. Acupuncture is undoubtedly a 5000-year-old method that continues to be used in the treatment of various pain syndromes. It is the subject-matter of numerous studies, unlike other pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods whose popularity lasted a few years or decades until their complete discontinuation in clinical practice due to their ineffectiveness and adverse effects.

Ključne riječi

acupuncture; tension-type headache (TTH); migraine

Hrčak ID:

216817

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/216817

Datum izdavanja:

6.2.2019.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 2.963 *