Acupuncture for Episodic Cluster Headache: A Trigeminal Approach

Simon Hayhoe · Acupuncture in Medicine · 2018 December 12

DOI 10.1136/acupmed-2015-211984rep

Objective

In this case report, episodic cluster headache is treated in the same way as has been shown effective for trigeminal neuralgia.

Conclusions

In this case report, episodic cluster headache is treated in the same way as has been shown effective for trigeminal neuralgia. Acupuncture is applied to the contralateral side at points appropriate for stimulating branches of the trigeminal nerve. Thus, ST2 is used for the infraorbital nerve, BL2 and Yuyao for the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves, and Taiyang for the temporal branch of the zygomatic nerve.

Critical Appraisal

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Insights

Acupuncture for cluster headache may be more effective if treated in the same way as has been shown effective for trigeminal neuralgia.

Acupuncture has not generally been successful for cluster headache. This may be due to acupuncturists approaching the problem as one of severe migraine. In fact, cluster headache is classed as a trigeminal autonomic cephalgia. In this case report, episodic cluster headache is treated in the same way as has been shown effective for trigeminal neuralgia. Acupuncture is applied to the contralateral side at points appropriate for stimulating branches of the trigeminal nerve. Thus, ST2 is used for the infraorbital nerve, BL2 and Yuyao for the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves, and Taiyang for the temporal branch of the zygomatic nerve.