People who suffer from tension and migraine headaches may find relief through acupuncture rather than over-the-counter and prescription medications, new findings suggest.

The research, published in the Cochrane Library, looked at a number of different studies that compared the ancient Chinese therapy with other treatments and placebos.

It found that on the whole acupuncture had the potential to deliver positive results for some patients suffering from headaches or migraines.

“The response to acupuncture in general seems to be large and clinically relevant,” said lead reviewer Klaus Linde.

In acupuncture, the skin is penetrated with thin, metallic needles at particular points in the body. The therapy has been used to treat a number of conditions over the years, from nausea to back pain.

Linde said that acupuncture is very popular in Germany and that most private health insurance plans cover the treatment.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Brian Berman of the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine said, “There is more evidence coming out showing acupuncture is safe and often effective and should be considered as part of a multidisciplinary approach for chronic pain.”