If you've ever had a migraine, you know it isn't “just a headache.” And if you carry stress in your neck and shoulders, you probably know the dull band of pressure that tightens around your head by mid-afternoon. In my West Village practice here in Manhattan, I treat many patients suffering from migraines and tension headaches, and I find acupuncture to be one of the most effective treatment methods for both.
Everything Is Connected
Western medicine often separates the body into systems. In my work, I see them as all connected, talking to each other constantly. A headache is a perfect example of the muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems all pulling on the same thread.
Muscles. Tension headaches often begin in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. Muscles contracted by stress, screens, sleeping position, or poor posture become tender and tight. They develop trigger points. Trigger points in the muscles of the upper back (especially the upper trapezius) refer pain into the neck, jaw, ear, eye, and most importantly the temple. Trigger points in the muscles that attach to the occiput can mimic the acute pain of a migraine. Releasing these trigger points can alleviate the headache pain. This overlap is also why so much jaw tension and TMJ shows up as headache.
Circulation. Tight muscles impede blood flow. Impaired circulation creates pain, tension, and trigger points. It's a vicious circle, and poor circulation can trigger migraines. Acupuncture not only releases the tight muscles and eradicates trigger points, it improves circulation to the tissue, alleviating pain and tension, and preventing the development of future headaches.
Nervous system. Stress is the underlying cause in most headaches. When we're stressed, the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) side of the nervous system stays switched on. Muscles tighten, blood vessels constrict, and pain sensitivity rises. Acupuncture shifts the body into the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state, which relaxes the patient, improves circulation, releases muscle tension, and alleviates pain. There is more on why the nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight here.
So the loop looks like this: stress activates the nervous system, which tightens muscle, which limits circulation, which sensitizes pain pathways, which creates more stress. Acupuncture works at several points in that loop at once.
What to Expect
For frequent headaches, I typically recommend a course of weekly sessions over several weeks, then a taper as symptoms improve. Most people feel only mild sensations during needling, and side effects like minor bruising or temporary soreness are uncommon and usually mild. Here is more on acupuncture safety.
Headaches running your week? There is a way to break the cycle, not just dull it.
Book Your First VisitWhat the Research Shows
A landmark Cochrane review analyzed 22 trials of acupuncture for preventing episodic migraine. Compared with no acupuncture, acupuncture was associated with a reduction in headache frequency after treatment, and the review concluded that acupuncture was at least as effective as preventive migraine medications.¹ A separate Cochrane review of acupuncture for tension-type headaches found that 51% of people receiving acupuncture had at least a 50% reduction in headache frequency, and the reviewers concluded that a course of at least six sessions can be a valuable option for people with frequent tension-type headaches.²
Ready to Try It?
If you're in NYC and headaches are running your life, I'd love to help. Reach out and we'll talk through your history and build a plan. You can book a visit anytime.
One note on safety: if you experience a sudden, severe “worst headache of your life,” or a headache with fever, a stiff neck, vision changes, weakness, or confusion, please seek medical care right away. Acupuncture works best alongside good medical care, not instead of it.
Frequently Asked
Can acupuncture really help migraines?
Yes. A Cochrane review of 22 trials found that acupuncture reduced how often episodic migraines occurred and was at least as effective as preventive migraine medication. In my West Village practice, I treat migraines by working at several points in the stress-muscle-circulation loop at once, which is why many patients see fewer and less intense headaches over a course of care.
What about tension headaches, the band of pressure from neck and shoulder tension?
Those respond especially well. A separate Cochrane review found that about half of people treated with acupuncture for tension-type headaches had their headache frequency cut by at least 50%. Much of that pain comes from trigger points in the upper back, neck, and jaw, and releasing them directly tends to bring meaningful relief.
How many sessions will I need?
For frequent headaches I usually recommend a course of weekly sessions over several weeks, then taper as symptoms improve. The research supports a course of at least six sessions, and most people start noticing a difference within the first few.
Can I do acupuncture while taking my migraine medication?
Yes. Acupuncture is safe alongside your current medications and works well as a complement to medical care, not a replacement for it. Many patients use both, and some are able to reduce their reliance on medication over time with their doctor's guidance.
Do you accept insurance?
My practice does not bill insurance directly. HSA and FSA accounts are accepted, and superbills are provided for out-of-network reimbursement.
Where is your clinic?
The practice is in the West Village in Manhattan, easy access from Chelsea, SoHo, the Financial District, and Brooklyn via the A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, and L trains.
When you're ready
Break the headache cycle
Acupuncture for migraines and tension headaches. West Village, NYC.
Book Your First VisitReferences
1. Linde K., Allais G., Brinkhaus B., et al. “Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016; (6): CD001218. PMID: 27351677. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27351677/
2. Linde K., Allais G., Brinkhaus B., et al. “Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016; 4(4): CD007587. PMID: 27092807. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27092807/