Differences in Chinese diagnoses for migraine and tension-type headache: An analysis of the German acupuncture trials (GERAC) for headache

Abstract

A growing number of clinical trials are testing Chinese acupuncture in the management of headache disorders. Little is known, however, about the relationship between International Headache Society diagnostic criteria and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis in primary headache disorders. We conducted a secondary analysis of the data of the prospective, controlled, blinded German acupuncture trials for migraine and tension-type headache. Data were collected from 1042 headache patients, of whom 633 were diagnosed with migraine and 409 with tension-type headache. We found that the diagnoses of migraine and tension-type headache were mirrored by different patterns of TCM diagnoses, with the patterns Liver Yang Rising, Liver Fire Rising, and Phlegm appearing to be best suited to differentiating between migraine and tension-type headache. Although not unexpected, given that the diagnosis of primary headache disorders in both diagnostic systems is based largely on the nature and quality of patient-reported symptoms, this finding suggests that migraine and tension-type headache are associated with different patterns of TCM diagnosis.

Location of Primary Headaches of Outpatients Using Newly Developed Meridian and Acupuncture Points of Korean Hand Therapy

“…49,50 Korean Hand Therapy has been studied for more than 35 years. [39][40][41][42][43] It presents New Modified Meridians (Gold Meridian and Acupuncture), which is easier to learn and to practice than East Asian Meridians from a clinical and research viewpoint. 40 In this study, we applied Gold Meridians and acupuncture points for the localization of primary headaches.…”

“…According to East Asian Medicine, more than 100 points exist on meridians and acupuncture points on each side of the head and neck. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Practically, our knowledge is lacking in how to use the meridians and acupuncture points in Western medicine, which is a quite different system.…”

“…There is documentation of location in East Asian Meridian Acupuncture that has been used for a long time without scientific evidence. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Palpation is an important part of the physical examination that has been underestimated in practice. How can the tender points be found in the head and neck?…”

“…13,14,43 The efficacy rate of treatment can be improved if we make accurate diagnoses. For localization of a tender point or pain area, we suggest the use of Gold Meridian by Korean Hand Therapy (KHT) instead of Meridian of East Asian Acupuncture, which is complex to use.…”

Use of acupuncture to alleviate side effects in radiation oncology: Current evidence and future directions

“…Scientific investigation of the positive effect of acupuncture exist for some disease conditions, such as lower back pain, sinusitis, fatigue, and headache 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. However, for acupuncture, the ideal comparator has not been found, which could be sham acupuncture or an acupuncture-free control arm, such as palliative or supportive care.…”