​Headaches, Migraines & Pain Relief

The Acupuncture Evidence Project was an Australian research project which reviewed the published meta-analysis and systematic reviews of 122 conditions.

It identified 47 conditions, 8 with strong evidence and 38 with moderate evidence, supporting the use of Acupuncture. Assisting with management of headaches and migraines showed a very positive outcome. 

The evidence shows that Acupuncture seems to be at least as effective as conventional preventative medication for migraine and is safe, long lasting, and cost-effective (1–2).

Acupuncture has gained in popularity so much so that already many people will be aware of at least one acupuncture point that has become infamous for possibly assisting with headaches.

The most common point that we use is between the thumb and index finger and usually this point will assist with pain management.  But Chinese Medicine is so much more complex than just using one acupuncture point.  In fact we rarely use one acupuncture point for one symptom and no two patients with migraines or headaches are likely to get have the same Acupuncture points or Herbal Medicine.
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Many people may not know that the acupuncture point that we use for headaches and migraines is also good for hayfever, sinusitis, toothache and nasal congestion.  This illustrates the complexity of Chinese Medicine and our ability to group seemingly unrelated symptoms and connect them.
Usually during the consultation we will ask a variety of questions in regards to your headache or migraines. For example we ask about the location of the headaches, the frequency, what brings them on and what if anything helps to relieve the pain.

​Apart from questions relating to the headache we will ask you questions about your general health. Other questions asked will include questions about your energy, your digestion and sleeping habits.

The reason we ask these questions is that each person presenting with a headache will have a different underlying Chinese Medicine diagnosis for why they experience headaches. Based on all the other symptoms you present with we will then administer acupuncture and prescribe an herbal prescription (if needed).
Sources
1. Witt et al 2008, Da Silva 2015 - Narrative review of large high quality RCTs).
2. Da Silva AN. Acupuncture for migraine prevention. Headache. 2015 Mar;55(3):470-3.