Intrafascial Glucopuncture for Tension-type Headache: A Clinical Case

Abstract

As Tension-type headache is prevalent, it is interesting to look for new treatment modalities which are both safe and effective. Over the last decade, regional injections with dextrose 5% (glucose 5% in Europe) are becoming more popular among clinicians worldwide. Unfortunately, no large randomized clinical trials have confirmed their safety and effectiveness so far, except for the treatment of carpal tunnel. The scope of introducing the term “Glucopuncture” is to raise awareness among physicians and patients of the interesting risk-benefit ratio of regional sugar water 5% injections. This article describes a clinical case of a man who had pain in his head and neck for five months. He was pain free after three sessions with glucose 5% injections in the superficial fascia. Palpation-guided glucopuncture is especially interesting in remote areas where modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities are not available to the majority of the local population. The purpose of this manuscript is to bring awareness to the potential benefits of applying this new injection technique for tension headache. This article is also an urgent invitation for further basic-science and clinical studies to clarify the potential benefits of regional sugar water 5% injections for patients with chronic tension-type headache.