A case report on acupuncture and temporal arteritis vasculitis

February 14, 2018   |   Currents in Integrative Healthcare

Temporal arteritis is a form of vasculitis that involves the large and medium-diameter arteries and leads to progressive headache. Symptoms may be accompanied by vision disorder, subfebrile temperature, fatigue, lack of appetite, weight loss, sweating and joint pains.

A 75-year-old woman presented with pain on both sides of the head. The pain occurred in the form of agonizing attacks 2-3 times a week. Accompanying neck pain was present, together with continuous lethargy and fatigue. Physical examination revealed decreased cutaneous elasticity and muscle mass, and a depressive mood state was present. The patient was first administered six sessions of acupuncture therapy directed toward the migraine etiology. When no response was achieved, we investigated temporal and parietal region points associated with headache in the literature. Points GB1,8,18, ST8, SI19 and BL8 were added to the treatment.

The conclusion: A decrease in the pain attacks and their frequency occurred following acupuncture therapy.