A new systematic review published in the journal Medicine examined research on the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture combined with massage to treat a common type of headache.
Cervicogenic headaches (CGH), characterized by pain starting at the neck and gradually involving the eyes and the frontal and temporal regions, are one of the most common types of headaches. Alternative therapies, including acupuncture and massage therapy, have long been used to treat headaches.
For the review, a team of researchers scoured multiple research databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and the Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials published before November 2021 evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with massage were included. Outcomes were measured by overall efficiency, visual simulation score, neck activity score, quality of life score, and adverse reactions.
The review found that existing research provides evidence that acupuncture combined with massage is a safe and effective treatment for patients with CGH. Read the full study online at https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000028736.
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