Headache

Migraine, tension-type headache and facial pain. A common intraoral etiology and treatment.

N Y State Dent J. 2002 Jun-Jul;68(6):24-6. Friedman MH.

A maxillary alveolar mucosal inflammation, demonstrated by local tenderness and increased temperature, is present in migraine, tension-type headache and facial pain patients even when the patient is asymptomatic. Research is presented showing effective treatment of these conditions with fewer side effects than with standard medication by local anti-inflammatory methods. These alternative methods include: chilling, application of anti-inflammatory gel and low-level (non-cutting) laser. Local treatment also mediates cervical muscle spasm, adding to its overall effectiveness.

The effects of laser acupuncture on chronic tension headache--a randomised controlled trial.

Ebneshahidi NS, Heshmatipour M, Moghaddami A, Eghtesadi-Araghi P. Acupunct Med. 2005 Mar;23(1):13-8. Physical Therapy Dept, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OBJECTIVE: Headache affects the quality of life for many people throughout the world. Tension headache is among the commonest forms. Acupuncture is the most widely practised non-medicinal treatment for headaches. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of laser acupuncture in this type of headache.

METHODS: Fifty patients with chronic tension-type headache were randomly allocated to treatment or placebo groups. Patients in the treatment group received low energy laser acupuncture to LU7, LI4, GB14, and GB20 bilaterally. Points were irradiated for 43 seconds, and the intensity was 1.3J (approximately 13J/cm2). Ten sessions were given, three per week. The placebo group was treated in a similar way except that the output power of the equipment was set to zero. The outcome variables were headache intensity (VAS), duration of attacks, and number of days with a headache per month, by daily diary, assessed monthly to three months after treatment.

RESULTS: There were significant differences between groups (P<0.001) in changes from baseline in months one, two and three, in median score for headache intensity (treatment group -5, -3 and -2, placebo group -1, 0 and 0), median duration of attacks (treatment group -6, -4 and -4, placebo group -1, 0 and 0 hours), and median number of days with headache per month (treatment group -15, -10 and -8, placebo group -2, 0 and 0).

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that laser acupuncture may be an effective treatment for chronic tension-type headache, but the results should be confirmed in larger and more rigorous trials.

LOW-LEVEL LASER FOR TREATING TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE

T. Y. Guseinov

A new technique for treating patients with chronic headache and pericranial muscularsceletal dysfunction has been developed (methodological recommendations of RF Ministry of Public Health 961/255, 1997). This technique includes low-level laser therapy, manual therapy and training on muscular relaxation. Good and excellent results were seen in 61,7% of patients after treatment. The frequency of headache attack was reduced by 73%, duration - by 66%, intensity - by 40%. Low-level laser therapy promotes muscular and joint trigger points inactivation and is perspective for treating chronic tension-type headache.