Acupuncture for Migraines and Chronic Headaches: What toExpect

Anyone who has tried to push through a full workday with a migraine building behind one eye knows how
completely it can derail your plans. Between the light sensitivity, nausea, and throbbing pain, migraines are far
more than “just a bad headache,” and many people who suffer from them have tried medication after
medication with limited or inconsistent relief. Acupuncture offers a different angle of approach, one focused on
identifying and calming the patterns that trigger head pain in the first place.
Headaches Are Not All the Same
Tension-type headaches, often caused by tight neck and shoulder muscles or stress, feel like a band tightening
around the head. Migraines, by contrast, are a neurological event that can involve throbbing pain, visual
disturbances, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Cluster headaches and hormonal headaches each
have their own patterns as well. Because the causes differ, a good practitioner will ask detailed questions about
your triggers, timing, and accompanying symptoms before building a treatment plan.
How Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture points on the scalp, neck, hands, and feet are commonly used to interrupt the pain pathways
associated with headaches and migraines, while also relaxing the neck and shoulder tension that so often
accompanies or triggers head pain. Many patients who commit to a consistent course of weekly treatment
report fewer headache days per month and headaches that are less intense when they do occur, even if they
do not disappear completely.
Common Migraine Triggers Worth Tracking

• Irregular sleep, especially sleeping in on weekends
• Skipping meals or long gaps between eating
  
  
  Dehydration and excess caffeine or alcohol
• Screen time and eye strain
• Hormonal fluctuations around the menstrual cycle
• Weather changes and barometric pressure shifts
  Keeping a simple headache journal noting these factors alongside when your headaches occur can help your
  acupuncturist tailor treatment more precisely to your patterns.
  What a Treatment Plan Typically Looks Like
  Because migraines are often deeply rooted patterns, most practitioners recommend weekly sessions for the
  first four to six weeks to establish momentum, then spacing sessions out as frequency and intensity improve.
  Some patients also benefit from a brief “tune-up” session at the very first sign of an oncoming headache, which
  can sometimes shorten its duration.
  A Root-Cause Approach at Bonafide Acupuncture
  Rather than only treating the head, Dr. Siraj looks at contributing factors like neck tension, digestive health,
  sleep quality, and stress levels, since all of these can influence migraine frequency. If headaches have become
  a monthly, weekly, or even daily disruption in your life, Bonafide Acupuncture’s Prospect Heights and Bay
  Ridge locations accept most major insurance plans. Call (702) 907-7171 or book online to start building a plan
  around your specific triggers.