Acupuncture for Headaches

Almost everyone suffers from a headache at some point in their life

Estimates suggest that up to a fifth of the Western population suffers from severe, long-term, recurring headaches.

Although most headaches are not a symptom of another condition, some headaches may be a sign of a serious medical problem. For example, when accompanied by severe dizziness, vomiting, high fever, high blood pressure, or when the person is elderly. Therefore, some headache symptoms require medical evaluation before turning to complementary medicine treatment methods.
A Chinese medicine practitioner not only focuses on relieving headaches when they occur, but also works to understand the root of the headaches. Treating and correcting the deep, underlying cause of the headaches can eliminate their occurrence.

Headaches in Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine understands the symptom of headache as part of a huge number of symptoms that form a pattern of disharmony present in the patient. Whether the headache is located at the back of the head, the top of the head, or the front of the head, each points to a different clinical significance.
After gathering further information about the headaches, such as medical history, diet and lifestyle, the practitioner determines a diagnosis.

Headaches Can Take Different Forms.

The location of the pain can vary (forehead, temples, back of the head);
the type of pain (sharp pain, dull pain, throbbing, etc.);
the frequency, the timing, the aggravating factors, the relieving factors, the symptoms that accompany the headache (blurred vision, nausea, etc.), and various sensations and patterns differ among the different types of headaches. Chinese medicine recognizes that each person’s constitution, body and mind are different, so different types of headaches will appear and be described differently in different people. Common syndromes that lead to headaches are rising Liver Yang, Yin deficiency in the kidneys and liver, blood deficiency (in Chinese medicine terms), stomach heat, and stagnation of Qi and blood.
Diagnosing the clinical syndrome allows us to create the acupuncture and herbal medicine plan best suited to you.

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Headaches

For people who regularly suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, the pain and discomfort can be exhausting. However, Chinese acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment that can offer relief and even resolve the problem over time. In fact, there is a wealth of information available describing the effect of acupuncture on reducing headaches and migraines.
A study published in the British Medical Journal examined a group of 400 patients suffering from headaches – half of the patients received acupuncture treatments. A year later, researchers found that the patients who received acupuncture experienced 22 fewer days with headaches, made fewer visits to their doctor, and took fewer sick days from work compared to the group that did not receive acupuncture, where the relief rates were much lower.

Migraines and headaches can be especially painful and can prevent a person from taking part in everyday social activities like going to school or work.


Acupuncture treatments and herbal medicine tailored to each patient’s needs can make a tremendous difference. A personal diagnostic session that leads to a diagnosis of the headache. What are the causes, what are the triggers for a migraine that erupts suddenly or builds up slowly, optimal nutrition, and the most effective treatment approach for you. Let us help you reduce your stress and pain.
It can happen!