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Neurocritical Care
Published in: Neurocritical Care 2/2019

01-10-2019 | Acupuncture | Practical Pearl

Treating Therapy-Resistant Headache After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with Acupuncture

Authors: Joanna Dietzel, Torsten Eck, Taras Usichenko

Published in: Neurocritical Care | Issue 2/2019

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Abstract

Introduction

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is usually associated with severe headache, whereas the options of pharmacological analgesia are restricted. Acupuncture is a promising method in treatment of headaches associated with meningeal sensitivity or irritation, such as migraine or post-dural puncture headache.

Case Report

We report on 3 patients, who suffered severe headache due to aneurysmal SAH, and received acupuncture when pharmacological measures were exhausted. After acupuncture treatment all patients reported at least 50% pain reduction and could stop or reduce analgesics without side effects.

Discussion

Acupuncture may be an effective pain treatment method in patients suffering from headache due to SAH. Randomized trials using acupuncture as an add-on to standard analgesic therapy would help evaluate the role of acupuncture for this purpose.
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Metadata
Title
Treating Therapy-Resistant Headache After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with Acupuncture
Authors
Joanna Dietzel
Torsten Eck
Taras Usichenko
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Neurocritical Care / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 1541-6933
Electronic ISSN: 1556-0961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-019-00718-3

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