Acupuncture for Headaches

Almost everyone will experience a headache at some point in their life. Whether it’s frequent migraines, the occasional discomfort or somewhere in between, acupuncture can help both relieve your pain and prevent future headaches. 

Like all acupuncture treatments, your acupuncturist will want to talk about your symptoms, discuss what you’re experiencing, and get a better idea of your overall health and wellness before developing a plan that’s unique to you. But there are some key points that help with headache pain and frequency. 

First, let’s talk about some common reasons why you might be experiencing head pain. Emotional stress, overworking, irregular diet, trauma, childbirth and pathogens are all culprits of the common headache, which can live in the top or back of your head, forehead, side of head, temples, behind your eyes or even throughout your whole head. 

For migraines, common triggers include anger, resentment and frustration, especially when they aren’t expressed over a long period of time. These feelings lead to what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls Liver Yang Rising, meaning the heat of your liver (the Yang) “rebels” upward, creating excessive energy in your head. Thus, a migraine. 

In TCM, each headache type or location is associated with a different part of the body. This, combined with an assessment before any needles are placed, is how your acupuncturist determines your treatment. 

So what should you expect during an acupuncture treatment for headaches? That depends on the types of headaches you’re experiencing, the type of relief you’re seeking and factors specific to your health. But the most common and important headache points are on your hands, head and face, back of the neck and feet. While it’s possible to feel relief almost immediately, and it’s always best to schedule regular visits to maintain your balance to help prevent future headaches.

In health and wellness,
Julie

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