Acupuncture in cluster headache: four cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Although cluster headache (CH) is the most disabling form of primary headache, little evidences regarding alternative and complementary therapies are available. Only few dated studies and some isolated cases are described. We describe four patients with CH treated with acupuncture as a preventive treatment, combined with verapamil or alone. All patients received acupuncture treatment twice/week for 2 weeks, then once/week for 8 weeks, and then once/alternate weeks for 2 weeks. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine the acupoints selected were: Ex HN-5 Taiyang, GB 14 Yangbai (both only on the affected side), GB 20 Fengchi (on both sides), LI 4 Hegu, LR 2 Xingjiang, SP 6 Sanyinjiao, ST 36 Zusanli (all on both sides). At each point, after the insertion of the needle, the feeling of "De Qi" was evoked; after obtaining this sensation the acupoints were not further stimulated for a period of 20 min, until their extraction. In all patients an interruption of cluster attacks was obtained. To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning acupuncture in CH patients which details the protocol approach, acupoints and duration of the treatment. Our results offer the opportunity to discuss the emerging role of acupuncture in the therapy of CH, assuming a possible influence on opioid system.

Neuroimaging in the Understanding of Acupuncture Analgesia: A Review of Acupuncture Neuroimaging Study Based on Experimental Pain Models

“…Hegu (LI 4) (9 studies) ( Zeng et al, 2006 ; Dougherty et al, 2008 ; Kong et al, 2009a , b ; Zyloney et al, 2010 ; Jiang et al, 2014 ; Theysohn et al, 2014 ; Lee et al, 2015 ; Niu et al, 2017 , Zusanli (ST 36) (8 studies) ( Weiting et al, 2003 ; Zhang et al, 2003a , b ; LaMei et al, 2013a , b ; Theysohn et al, 2014 ; Lin et al, 2018 ; Wenjin et al, 2020 , and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (4 studies) ( Weiting et al, 2003 ; Zhang et al, 2003a , b ; Cao et al, 2019 ( Supplementary Table 4 ) were the most used acupoint selection in these 27 studies. The aforementioned acupoints were widely used for pain relief in the clinic ( Zeng et al, 2009 ; Fofi et al, 2014 ; Wang et al, 2015 . Besides, the acupoints were located on the four limbs which were commonly used because they were easy to perform acupuncture manipulation during the scanning.…”

A Dramatic Relief from Cluster Headache by Classic Bloodletting Acupuncture Evidenced by Thermography Analysis: A Case Report

“…Acupuncture is one of the most well-known alternative therapy. Fofi et al showed some significant improvement in acupuncture for cluster headache [4]. Although Cochrane review and United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend acupuncture as a prophylactic treatment for migraine and tension headache, the effectiveness for cluster headache remains unclear [5].…”

Effects of electroacupuncture on treatment-resistant chronic migraine with medication overuse headache: A 12-month follow-up case report

“…Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical therapy that involves the stimulation of acupuncture points on the patient's body, usually by the insertion of fine, disposable needles [ 9 ]. It is among the most widely used complementary treatments for chronic pain, including headaches [ 10 ]. Acupuncture has been found to effectively reduce the frequency and severity of migraine and tension headache attacks [ 11 ].…”