J Korean Pain Soc.  1999 May;12(1):75-80.

The Effect of Tienchu Acupoint Block, Occipital Nerve Block, and Trigger Point Injection for Treatment of Tension Type Headache

• Lee YW

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite tension type headache is popular, the exact mechanism and method of treatment are not certain yet. So, we supposed the basic mechanism of tension type headache is myogenic, and did Tienchu acupoint block, occipital nerve block, and trigger point injection in tension type headache patients.
METHODS
Fifty-seven tension type headache patients were treated with local anesthetics and small dose of steroid. The intensity of pain and effect of every treatment was evaluated as Verbal Rating Score (VRS; 0-10) before and after every treatment. Evaluation of treatment was based on the time of treatment (1,2 times, 3 times, 4,5 times). Goal of treatment was VRS reaching below two point and it was considered as treated state.
RESULTS
Symptom improvement rates of each treatment were 90% (1, 2 times), 91% (3 times), 70% (4, 5 times) respectively. VRS reduction more than 50% rates were 60%, 64%, 60% respectively. Treated state (VRS<2) rates were 33%, 27%, 30% respectively.
CONCLUSION
Tienchu acupoint block, occipital nerve block, trigger point injection were sorts of most effective and simply applicable modalities of treatment in tension type headache.

Keyword

Tension type headache, Tienchu, occipital nerve block, trigger point injection

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture Points*
Anesthetics, Local
Humans
Nerve Block*
Tension-Type Headache*
Trigger Points*
Anesthetics, Local