Self-administered phyto-acupressure for tension-type headache

Objectives: The effect of phyto-acupressure (PAP) on chronic tension-type headache was investigated in this prospective pragmatic study. PAP is traditionally used in Asian medicine. Methods: This open intra-individual study was conducted during three periods of four weeks each: first as baseline with usual treatment, second PAP treatment on top usual treatment and third free choice of the patient. 31 voluntary patients (20 women and 11 men) with frequent episodic and chronic tension-type headache (6 to 15 per month) self-administered massage therapy on acupuncture points with the local application of a concentrated plant formula. Headache frequency, intensity, duration, and analgesic use were recorded and compared with baseline values. Results: Compared with baseline values, the average number of headache episodes was significantly reduced during the PAP period from 13.06+-6.7 to 10.9+-5.5. The reduction of headache episodes continued for the remainder of the study (p= 0.01). At the end of the trial, when patients had a free choice of treatment, average headache number was 7.17+-4.86 and for 87% of headaches the patients opt for PAP alone. Concerning intensity and duration, the effect of PAP was on the same magnitude as paracetamol on-demand. The intake of paracetamol was sharply reduced by phyto-acupressure. Conclusions: The phyto-acupressure therapy used in this study seems to go beyond the treatment of pain. In addition to have an analgesic effect measured by reduction in analgesic use, PAP also has a prophylactic action in reducing headache frequency. A randomized controlled trial is needed as a next step.