Acupuncture for Headaches & Migraines

Article Contents:

1. A holistic approach to a common complaint

2. What is acupuncture & how does it work?

3. A few of the most common headache patterns

4. What to expect from acupuncture treatment

5. Ready to give acupuncture for headaches & migraines a try?

6. At home acupressure to ease headaches & migraines

A Holistic Approach to a Common Complaint

Headaches and migraines are amongst the most common reasons people seek care at Boise Acupuncture Co-op. In any given week, we may treat ten different people whose primary complaint is headache, yet each person receives a unique acupuncture treatment. That’s because, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, there are dozens of unique patterns which can lead to headaches and migraines. It’s our job to recognize those patterns and give a treatment to help foster more balance in the body.

This is often welcome news to our patients! Many people who live with headaches and migraines find their way to acupuncture because the standard treatment options have not resulted in significant enough improvement in their symptoms. Some people do get relief with medications, but do not tolerate the side effects very well. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for everyone. The goal of acupuncture is to understand the root of the issue and support the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Before we dive in, it's important to mention that while acupuncture can be a valuable part of headache and migraine care, sudden, severe, or unusual headaches can sometimes signal a more serious problem. If you're experiencing a severe headache accompanied by new neurological symptoms please seek medical care right away.

What is Acupuncture & How Does It Work?

Acupuncture is a gentle, yet powerful treatment involving the insertion of hair-thin, single-use, solid needles into specific points on the body. There is absolutely nothing in or on these needles, but nonetheless acupuncture has been shown to have many significant physiological effects. Research suggests acupuncture may help headaches and migraines in several ways, including:

• Promotes the release of the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals

• Improves circulation

• Releases tension in muscles, fascia, and connective tissue

• Supports healthy nerve function

• Helps regulate hormones

• Calms the nervous system and encourages a shift out of "fight, flight, or freeze”

Licensed acupuncturists (like those of us that work at Boise Acupuncture Co-op) go through a rigorous graduate-level program to learn the holistic system that acupuncture is part of. This complete diagnostic system contains hundreds of patterns and thousands of different acupuncture points combinations to help bring about more balance and less suffering in the body, mind, and spirit.

A Few of the Most Common Headache Patterns

Now, we are going to dip our toes into some basic acupuncture theory to better understand how we frame headaches and migraines when using acupuncture. Feel free to follow along, but if theory isn't your thing, that's okay! Skip ahead to: What to expect from acupuncture treatment.

One of the beautiful aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory is how it views the human body as a reflection of nature. When an ecosystem is in balance, it is able to nourish a great diversity of healthy organisms. When an ecosystem experiences a destructive change – some are quick and intense such as a forest fire, while others are more gradual such as prolonged drought – many organisms experience negative impacts. The only constant in the human body, as in nature, is change. 

A common pattern we see in patients with headaches and migraines is “Stagnation”. 

Imagine a mighty river that becomes dammed up from by a beaver dam. Upriver, flow is obstructed and water becomes stagnant while pressure builds up around the blockage. Downriver, the riverbed dries up and the banks are no longer nourished by water. As in nature, Stagnation in the body is caused by a lack of proper flow.

Three types of Stagnation we commonly see include: 

• Liver Qi Stagnation

  This type of headache is often exacerbated by stress and can also be associated with hormonal imbalances such as PMS. Liver Qi Stagnation also commonly affects digestion with symptoms such as bloating and alternating hard and loose stools.

• Damp/Phlegm Stagnation

  This pattern is common in people experiencing sinus infections or headaches accompanied by a heavy sensation in the head, brain fog, nausea, or vomiting.

• Blood Stagnation

  This is often a chronic pattern that can sometimes be caused by past trauma to the head, face, or neck. The headache quality is intense, fixed in a certain location, and sharp. 

Here are a few other patterns we commonly see:

• Liver Yang Rising

  Imagine a mighty mature cottonwood tree on a hot windy day. Unfortunately, the cottonwood has been sick for some time and many of its roots have dried up and are no longer anchoring or nourishing the tree. When a strong gust comes, the weakened tree sways violently and loses branches.

  
  

  This headache is caused by a deficiency of yin and blood (the roots of the tree) which causes yang to rise (hot wind) and can be accompanied by irritability, ringing in the ears, dizziness, tremors/spasms, dryness, and heat or flushing of the head and face.

• Wind Invasion

  Imagine a spring storm that develops seemingly out of nowhere and quickly passes through a mountain valley. The wind is sudden, intense, and stirs up a lot of movement.

  
  

  Wind Invasion headaches usually have a very quick onset and are often associated with a common cold or flu. They can be accompanied by tightness in the neck, pain that moves around, rashes that may come and go, and feeling chilled or feverish. 

• Qi/Blood Deficiency

  Imagine a small creek after a dry winter and spring. Due to low amounts of snow and rain, there is not enough water flowing and small pools form along the creekbed. The plants that are normally nourished by healthy flow do not receive the water they need to thrive.

  
  

  Qi and Blood Deficiency headaches are usually described as dull and achy and can be accompanied by lightheadedness, fatigue, and poor concentration.

These are just a handful of the many patterns causing headaches and migraines. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about any of this – your acupuncturist is trained to identify these patterns and choose acupuncture points to help bring you more ease and relief!

What to Expect from Acupuncture Treatment

At Boise Acupuncture Co-op (BAC), we practice community acupuncture. This means treatments take place in a peaceful space where several fully clothed people relax and receive care together in comfortable recliners. This model allows more people to experience the benefits of regular treatment through our no-questions-asked sliding scale.

At your first appointment, we will have a quiet discussion at your recliner to help us get to know your overall health picture and narrow down where your body may be falling out of balance. This can include questions such as:

• How often do you get headaches/migraines? 

• How long do they last? 

• Any known triggers? 

• Where do you feel the pain?

• Do you experience any auras?

• Any other symptoms associated with your headaches or migraines?

• Do you have a history of head or neck trauma?

• Does your hormonal cycle affect your headaches?

• Do you have pain in other areas of your body?

• How are you sleeping? What are your energy levels like?

• Do you have any digestive difficulties?

• Are you experiencing significant stress or anxiety?

We approach each patient with a focus on how their whole body is doing. This is a very affirming experience for many people who often feel like their different symptoms are connected, but who don’t necessarily get this validation from conventional care. 

After checking your pulse at your wrist, your acupuncturist will gently place the acupuncture needles. We mainly treat points in the lower arms, legs, head, and neck. We then encourage you to rest for 30-60 minutes. Most patients find acupuncture to be deeply relaxing. While some points may feel more sensational than others, our goal is always to support your nervous system to unwind and settle into a calm and restorative state. We are here to make sure you have a comfortable and positive experience. Aftercare is pretty simple – make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day if possible.

The frequency at which we recommend treatment depends on both the severity of your symptoms and the amount of time you’ve been experiencing headaches and/or migraines. Acupuncture takes time to build up consistent and significant changes in the body. On average, we recommend patients start getting acupuncture 1-2 times per week for a course of 8-10 treatments, but for folks experiencing debilitating flares we may recommend you come in 3-4 times over a week. 

Ready to Give Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines a Try?

We are excited to meet you and learn more about how we can best support you. We have plenty of information on our website about the clinic, our team, community acupuncture, what to expect, and more, so please check that out. Feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have.

If you are ready to get started, click here to schedule your first appointment. See you recliner-side soon!

At Home Acupressure to Ease Headaches & Migraines

You can apply pressure on acupoints to help ease the pain of your headache or migraine. Think of these points as general areas rather than exact spots – you want to press around the location and find where you feel the most tenderness. Apply firm but comfortable pressure for 1-2 minutes while taking slow, deep breaths. All of these points are bilateral, meaning they occur on both sides of the body. If your headache is one-sided you’ll want to press the points on the opposite side of your pain, otherwise press on both sides. 

Please note some of these points are contraindicated in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, please consult with a licensed acupuncturist before using acupressure.

The “Four Gates” is a powerful point combination that may help reduce pain throughout the body and is especially useful for many types of headaches and migraines. It combines. Liver 3 (Tai Chong) and Large Intestine 4 (He Gu) 

Here are additional points you can add to “Four Gates” depending on where your head is hurting:

• At the base of your head or upper neck: add Small Intestine 3 (Hou Xi)

  
  

• At your temples: add the two-point combo “Beside Three Miles” (Ce San Li) 

  
  

• At the top of your head: add Liver 2 (Xing Jian)

  
  

• At your forehead: add “Kidney Gate” (Tian Huang Fu)

  
  

• At your sinuses or teeth: add Stomach 44 (Nei Ting)

  
  

• Behind your eyes: add Gall Bladder 41 (Zu Lin Qi) 

  
  

We hope you’ll find these acupressure points helpful!

Looking for more ways to support your health?

Explore the rest of our blog for seasonal wellness tips, acupuncture education, and clinic updates. You can also follow us on Instagram (@acupuncturecoop) to stay connected with everything happening at BAC.