Acupuncture for

Migraine & Headache Relief

Migraine Acupuncture in Surrey | Headache Relief Acupuncture in Surbiton

Acupuncture for Migraine & Headache Relief

Headaches and migraines are among the most common health complaints, affecting millions of people worldwide. Whether it’s a dull, persistent tension headache, a throbbing migraine, or a sharp pain triggered by stress or sinus pressure, these conditions can disrupt your daily life and leave you searching for relief. As a practitioner based in Surbiton, Surrey, I offer acupuncture to address the root causes of your headaches and migraines.

Acupuncture is a safe, drug-free option that can complement conventional treatments or stand alone as a natural solution for managing your symptoms.

What Are Migraines and Headaches?

Headaches

Headaches are a common condition characterised by pain in any region of the head. There are several types of headaches, each with distinct causes and symptoms:

Tension Headaches: The most common type, caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and scalp. Symptoms include a dull, aching pain that feels like a tight band around the head
Cluster Headaches: Severe, debilitating headaches that occur in clusters or cycles, often around one eye. These are less common but extremely painful.
Sinus Headaches: Caused by inflammation or congestion in the sinuses, leading to pressure and pain in the forehead, cheeks, or bridge of the nose.
Hormonal Headaches: Triggered by fluctuations in hormone levels, often linked to the menstrual cycle, menopause, or hormonal medications.
Stress Headaches: Triggered by emotional or mental stress, leading to muscle tension and pain.

Migraines

Migraines are a neurological condition characterised by recurrent, moderate to severe headaches, often accompanied by other symptoms such as:

Throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head.
Nausea and vomiting.
Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
Visual disturbances, such as auras (flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots).
Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Migraines can last for hours or even days, and their severity can range from mild to completely disabling. They are often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, or environmental factors.

How Chinese Medicine Views Migraines and Headaches

In traditional Chinese medicine, headaches and migraines are seen as signs of disrupted qi and blood flow, often caused by external or internal factors. The specific pattern of imbalance depends on the type of headache or migraine you experience.

01.

Headaches: A TCM Perspective

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we look at headaches a bit differently try to find out why they are happening. Headaches are usually a sign that your body’s natural energy flow (called qi) is temporarily blocked or out of balance.

Here are the most common reasons you might be experiencing a headache:

Environmental Triggers (Wind Invasion) which can disrupt your system.
- Wind-Cold often causes a tight, stiff neck and a dull ache.
- Wind-Heat can bring a throbbing headache, sometimes with a fever.
- Wind-Dampness leaves your head feeling heavy, foggy, and congested.
Stress and Tension (Liver qi Stagnation): When you are stressed, frustrated, or overworked, your body tightens up can can trigger tension headaches or migraines.
Fatigue and Low Energy (Blood Deficiency): If your body is exhausted or running on empty, you may get headaches which feel like a dull, lingering ache accompanied by dizziness or tiredness.
Congestion and Heaviness (Phlegm-Dampness): An buildup of fluid or “sluggishness” in the body can lead to stubborn sinus headaches, pressure, and mental brain fog.

02.

Migraines: A TCM Perspective

The four most common root causes of migraines from a TCM perspective are:

Stress and Hormonal Surges (Liver Yang Rising): When chronic stress, frustration, or hormonal shifts cause your body’s energy to bottle up, that energy can suddenly “rush” upward to the head. This typically triggers intense, throbbing migraines often accompanied by irritability and a severe sensitivity to light or sound.
Poor Circulation (Blood Stasis): If blood and energy aren’t circulating freely through the head, it can cause a sharp, localised, or stabbing pain. This type of migraine is frequently accompanied by nausea or visual disturbances like blurry vision.
Burnout and Overwork (Kidney Yin Deficiency): Your body relies on deep, cooling reserves of energy to keep you balanced. When you are chronically overworked, sleep-deprived, or burnt out, those cooling reserves run dry. This allows “heat” to rise to the head, often triggering migraines with auras, flashes of light, or blind spots.
Sluggish Digestion and Fatigue (Spleen Qi Deficiency): If your digestive system isn’t breaking down food efficiently, your body can’t produce enough clean energy. This leads to a buildup of internal “sluggishness” or dampness, which can leave you feeling completely drained, plagued by brain fog, and highly susceptible to recurring migraines.

How Acupuncture May Help with Migraines and Headaches

Acupuncture is a gentle yet powerful therapy for managing migraines and headaches. By addressing the root imbalances in your body’s qi and blood, acupuncture may help reduce the frequency and intensity of your symptoms.

How Acupuncture May Support Migraine and Headache Relief

Improving Blood Flow

By invigorating qi and blood in the head and neck, acupuncture may help relieve tension, reduce inflammation, and improve oxygenation to the brain.

Releasing Muscle Tension

Acupuncture may help relax tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and scalp, which are common triggers for tension headaches

Balancing Hormones:

For hormonal headaches or migraines, acupuncture may help regulate hormone levels around the menstrual cycle.

Clearing Sinuses

Acupuncture may help reduce sinus congestion and pressure, providing relief for sinus headaches

What to Expect During Your Session

1. Personalised Consultation

During your session, I’ll discuss your headache or migraine history, including:

The location, intensity, and duration of your pain.
Any triggers you’ve noticed (e.g., stress, certain foods, hormonal changes).
Other symptoms you experience (e.g., nausea, sensitivity to light, fatigue).
Your overall health, sleep patterns, and emotional wellbeing.

This helps me understand the underlying imbalances and choose the most effective treatment for you.

2. Targeted Acupuncture Treatment

You’ll lie comfortably on a treatment couch while I insert ultra-fine, single-use needles at specific points on your head, neck, back, hands, and legs. These points are chosen to:

restore balance.
reduce tension and emotional stress.
invigorate blood flow to the head.

Many people find acupuncture deeply relaxing, which can be especially beneficial when dealing with stress-related headaches or migraines. Sessions typically last 45–60 minutes.

3. Additional Techniques (if appropriate)

Depending on your symptoms, I may also use:

- Cupping: To improve circulation and release muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.
- Ear acupuncture: acupuncture is certain points around the ear

Who Is Acupuncture for Migraine & Headache Relief Suitable For?

Acupuncture may be suitable for anyone experiencing migraines or headaches, including:

Those with frequent tension headaches caused by stress or poor posture.
Individuals suffering from migraines with or without auras.
People with hormonal headaches, such as those linked to the menstrual cycle or menopause.
Anyone looking for a natural, drug-free approach
Those wishing to reduce their reliance on painkillers or medications.

If you’re struggling with migraines or headaches and would like to explore how acupuncture may help, please do get in touch to discuss your needs and how I can help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How quickly can acupuncture relieve a headache or migraine?

Some people experience immediate quick relief, but it may take consistent treatment over time, especially if you have been suffering from headaches for a long time.

Can acupuncture replace painkillers for migraines or headaches?

Acupuncture can help reduce the need for painkillers by addressing the root causes of your pain. However, if you intend to reduce medication use you need to discuss this with your prescribing doctor.

Can acupuncture prevent migraines or headaches from returning?

Yes, acupuncture aims to address the root causes of your pain, which can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines or headaches over time. Many people find that regular sessions help prevent recurrence.

Are there any side effects from acupuncture for headache or migraine relief?

Acupuncture is very safe when practised by a well qualified practitioner. Members of the British Acupuncture council undergo a minimum three year degree level training. Some people may experience minor bruising at the needle sites or feel slightly tired after treatment. These effects are usually temporary.