Dry needling for headache relief
Part of Brain & nervous system, Pain clinical trials.
This study tests if a specific type of dry needling (using a thin needle on tight neck muscles) can help reduce headaches. You may join if you've had headaches recently and have tender muscles at the base of your skull.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have had at least one headache in the last 6 months and have a headache now.
- The muscles at the base of your skull are tender to touch (pain score 2 or higher out of 10).
- You have not had neck surgery or a neck injury.
- You do not have a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medications.
- You do not have serious health conditions like diabetes, cancer, or fibromyalgia.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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This study tests two treatments—dry needling and dry cupping—to see which better reduces pain and disability in people whose headaches come from neck problems. If you have frequent headaches linked to neck tension, you might qualify.
This study tests whether the position of your neck muscle affects how well dry needling (inserting thin needles into tight muscle knots) relieves chronic neck pain. Dry needling may help reduce pain by relaxing tense muscles.
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This study tests a placebo version of dry needling (using a needle that doesn't pierce the skin) to see if it can help people with long-term neck pain. You may qualify if you have had neck pain for at least 3 months and have a tender knot in your upper shoulder muscle.
This trial tests whether specific physical therapy treatments—exercise, manual soft-tissue work, mobilization, and electrical dry needling/TENS—can reduce tension-type headaches. It may help if your headaches happen often and fit the trial’s “frequent” or “chronic” pattern.
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