How to Stop Tension Headaches

Swedish researchers have three English words for those seeking relief from chronic tension headaches: "forget the drugs." Instead, their research suggests, longtime headache sufferers should try exercise, acupuncture, and relaxation training. The Scientific American reports that scientists at Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg
University, designed a study in which 90 patients who had
chronic tension-type headaches for an average of 7 years were
randomly assigned to physical training, relaxation training, or
acupuncture. Acupuncture was administered using 10
to 12 needles during 30-minute weekly sessions for 10 to 12
weeks; Physical training included five exercises focused on the
neck and shoulder muscles, repeated about 100 times each, along
with ergometric cycling and stretching; and the patients who were taught relaxation learned
"breathing techniques, stress coping techniques, and "how to relax
during activity and how to relax in everyday living."  The  study, which is written up in Cephalagia, found that acupuncture significantly
reduced headache intensity at 3 months and 6 months, physical
training was associated with reduced headache intensity and
more headache-free periods immediately after the last treatment
and after 6 months, and r relaxation training led to significant
improvements in headache intensity and frequency immediately
after the training and at 3 and 6 months.