Acupuncture for chronic daily headache: based on muscular fascia theory

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of chronic daily headache (CDH) based on muscular fascia theory. MethodsSixty patients were randomly divided into group A (30 cases) and group B (30 cases). In group A, based on muscular fascia theory combined with the anatomical position of injection site of kreotoxin in treatment of chronic headache, 10–16 acupoints were selected on frontal muscle, occipital muscle, temporal muscle, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, suboccipital muscle and sternocleidomastoid muscle. 0.25 mm×30 mm acupuncture needles were adopted for acupuncture. After acupuncture, 2–3 groups of acupoints were selected for electroacupuncture device. In group B, Nèiguān (▪ PC 6), Shuľgōu (▪ GV 26), Hégŭ (▪ LI 4), Tàichōng (▪ LR 3), Băihuì (▪ GV 20), Sìshéncōng (▪ EX-HN 1), Fēngchí (▪ GB 20), Wángŭ (▪ GB 12) and Tiānzhù (▪ BL 10) were selected for acupuncture. After acupuncture, 2–3 groups of acupoints were selected for electroacupuncture device. Acupuncture was conducted once a day in the two groups, five days were one course of treatment, and two days were free from treatment between two courses. The treatment lasted for eight weeks. Daily headache record was considered as efficacy index, and VAS score and the number of days of headache in each month were observed. ResultsAfter treatment for eight weeks and follow-up visit for three months, the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for CDH based on muscular fascia theory (group A) was superior to conventional acupuncture (group B), and the comparison result between the two groups was statistically significant (VAS score between two groups, after treatment: t=2.2864, P=0.0259, follow-up: t=2.6735, P=0.0097; the frequency of attack between the two groups after treatment: t=2.1520, P=0.0364). ConclusionCDH may be related with muscular fascia dysfunction of head and neck, and the efficacy of acupuncture treatment based on muscular fascia theory was significant.