Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines: Evidence-Based Treatment in Berkhamsted
Headaches and migraines affect millions of people, often creating not just physical pain but significant disruption to work, relationships, and quality of life. After treating many people with various kinds of headaches, I've seen how these seemingly simple symptoms can profoundly impact every aspect of someone's life.
What many people don't realize is that acupuncture has strong research support for both headache prevention and treatment. In fact, for certain types of headaches, it's one of the few interventions that major health authorities actively recommend based on clinical evidence.
NICE Recognition: Acupuncture as Evidence-Based Headache Treatment
The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recognized acupuncture as an effective treatment for headaches and migraines. This endorsement is significant because NICE only recommends treatments with solid evidence for both effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
For tension-type headaches, NICE guidelines have identified acupuncture as one of the primary recommended preventive treatments. This recognition came after reviewing extensive research showing that acupuncture can reduce both the frequency and intensity of headaches over time.
The fact that a major health authority recommends acupuncture for headache prevention represents a significant shift in how these conditions are approached in mainstream healthcare.
Research Evidence: How Acupuncture Compares
Recent research has shown some striking findings about acupuncture's effectiveness for headaches and migraines. Studies comparing acupuncture to standard migraine medications have found that acupuncture often performs as well as or better than pharmaceutical interventions, with significantly fewer side effects.
One particularly interesting study compared acupuncture to topiramate, a medication commonly prescribed for migraine prevention. Not only did acupuncture outperform the medication in reducing migraine frequency, but participants experienced far fewer adverse effects. This is significant given that migraine medications often come with challenging side effects that can impact quality of life.
What makes these findings particularly compelling is that they reflect what I observe in clinical practice: many people find meaningful relief with acupuncture while avoiding the side effects that can come with long-term medication use.
Understanding Different Types of Headaches
In my practice, I see people with various headache patterns, and acupuncture seems to help with most types:
Tension headaches often respond very well to acupuncture, particularly when they're related to stress, muscle tension, or postural issues. Treatment typically focuses on releasing tension in the neck and shoulders while addressing underlying stress patterns.
Migraines can be more complex, but research shows acupuncture can significantly reduce both frequency and intensity. Many migraine sufferers also notice improvements in associated symptoms like nausea or light sensitivity.
Cluster headaches are less common but can be severely debilitating. While research is more limited, some people with cluster headaches have found acupuncture helpful, particularly when used preventively.
Cervicogenic headaches that originate from neck problems often respond well to acupuncture, especially when combined with attention to posture and movement patterns.
How Acupuncture Works for Headaches
Research suggests acupuncture helps headaches through several mechanisms. It appears to influence how the nervous system processes pain signals, reduce inflammation, and help regulate neurotransmitters involved in headache development.
From a clinical perspective, I often see acupuncture help with the underlying patterns that contribute to headaches. Many people with chronic headaches develop heightened nervous system sensitivity, where normal stimuli can trigger pain responses. Acupuncture seems particularly effective at helping recalibrate this sensitivity.
The treatment also often helps with associated factors like sleep disturbance, stress, and muscle tension that can contribute to headache patterns. This broader effect may explain why people often report feeling better overall, not just experiencing fewer headaches.
What Treatment Involves
If you're considering acupuncture for headaches, here's what typically happens:
Initial assessment: We'll discuss your headache pattern, triggers, and how they affect your life. Understanding your specific experience is crucial for developing an effective treatment approach.
Treatment planning: Headache treatment often involves a series of sessions, typically starting with weekly treatments. The exact approach depends on your headache type and frequency.
Acupuncture sessions: Treatment usually involves inserting fine needles at specific points, often including areas on the head, neck, hands, and feet. Many people find the sessions deeply relaxing.
Lifestyle discussion: We'll often explore factors like stress, sleep, posture, and dietary triggers that might be contributing to your headaches.
Individual Responses and Realistic Expectations
People respond to acupuncture for headaches in different ways. Some notice immediate improvement, while others need several treatments before experiencing significant change. Most people fall somewhere in between.
For headache prevention, which is often the primary goal, it typically takes several weeks of treatment to assess effectiveness. The aim is usually to reduce headache frequency and intensity rather than eliminate them entirely, though some people do experience complete resolution.
It's important to maintain realistic expectations. Acupuncture can provide substantial relief for many people with headaches, but it's not magic. If you've had chronic headaches for years, creating lasting change typically takes time and often involves addressing multiple contributing factors. Research suggests that around 50 -70% of people are responsive to acupuncture treatment
Integrating with Other Treatments
Acupuncture works well alongside other headache treatments. Many people use it in combination with physiotherapy, stress management techniques, or medical care. Often, acupuncture helps reduce the frequency or intensity of headaches enough that people can reduce their reliance on pain medications.
If you're taking prescription medications for headaches or migraines, acupuncture may help enhance their effectiveness or potentially reduce the dosage needed, though any medication changes should always be discussed with your prescribing doctor.
The Complexity of Headache Treatment
One thing that research into acupuncture and headaches highlights is the complexity of these conditions. Headaches aren't just about pain, they involve complex interactions between the nervous system, stress responses, sleep patterns, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle factors.
This complexity is actually where acupuncture often excels. Rather than targeting just the pain, acupuncture treatment addresses the person experiencing the headaches. This broader approach may explain why research shows such positive results for headache prevention.
Choosing Qualified Care
When considering acupuncture for headaches, it's important to work with properly qualified practitioners. As a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), I've completed extensive training in traditional acupuncture and maintain ongoing professional development.
BAcC members must meet rigorous training standards and follow strict safety protocols. When choosing an acupuncturist, you can verify credentials through the BAcC website to ensure you're receiving treatment from a fully qualified practitioner.
Getting Started
If you're dealing with chronic headaches or migraines and considering acupuncture, the first step is usually a consultation to discuss your specific situation. Every person's headache pattern is different, and treatment needs to be tailored accordingly.
I'm always happy to discuss whether acupuncture might be appropriate for your particular type of headaches, what you could expect from treatment, and how it might fit with any other care you're receiving.
If you'd like to explore acupuncture for your headaches or migraines:
I offer comprehensive headache treatment in Berkhamsted, working with each person's individual pattern and needs. We can discuss your headache history and develop an appropriate treatment approach.
Phone: 07717 515 013
email: sean@seanheneghan.com
Located at: Berkhamsted Chiropractic Clinic, 69 High Street, Berkhamsted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many treatments will I need for headaches?
This varies depending on your headache frequency and type. Many people notice some improvement within 4-6 sessions, but headache prevention often requires longer treatment. We'll regularly assess progress and adjust the approach as needed.
Can acupuncture help during a migraine attack?
While acupuncture is primarily used for prevention, some people find it helpful during migraine episodes. However, prevention through regular treatment is usually more effective than treating individual attacks.
Will acupuncture interfere with my headache medications?
Acupuncture generally works well alongside medications. Many people find they can reduce medication use over time, but any changes should be discussed with your prescribing doctor.
What if I'm needle-phobic but interested in acupuncture for headaches?
Many people with needle anxiety find acupuncture needles very different from medical injections. The needles are extremely fine and insertion is usually comfortable. We can discuss strategies to help you feel at ease.
How soon might I notice improvement in my headaches?
Some people notice changes after a few treatments, while others need more time. For headache prevention, it's important to allow several weeks to assess effectiveness properly.
Can acupuncture help identify headache triggers?
While acupuncture treatment itself doesn't identify triggers, the consultation process often helps people become more aware of patterns and potential contributing factors to their headaches.
About Sean Heneghan - Traditional Acupuncturist in Berkhamsted
Sean Heneghan is a BACP registered counsellor and British Acupuncture Council member with over 20 years of experience treating headaches and chronic conditions. He combines traditional acupuncture with an understanding of how chronic pain affects overall wellbeing.
Services include:
Traditional acupuncture for headaches and migraines
Gestalt counselling and therapy
Cognitive hypnotherapy
Integrative treatment approaches
Location: Berkhamsted Chiropractic Clinic, 69 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2DH
Contact: 07717 515 013 | sean@seanheneghan.com
Serving Berkhamsted, Tring, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, and the wider Hertfordshire area.
Article updated: August 2025