Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines are common and can range from mild, occasional discomfort to more persistent or severe episodes. They may present as tension through the head, pressure behind the eyes, or throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound, or nausea. For many people, they can impact focus, energy, and day-to-day functioning.
At our Altona clinic in Melbourne’s inner west, we see headaches and migraines regularly. While triggers vary from person to person, they often respond to the right support and management approach.
Common Symptoms
- Dull, aching pressure or tightness around the head
- Throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head
- Pain that may be linked to the neck or upper back
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea or feeling unsettled during a headache or migraine
- Visual disturbances such as aura or blurred vision
- Headaches that are triggered by stress, tension, or fatigue
- Reduced ability to focus or think clearly
How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Help
Headaches and migraines are often linked to a combination of muscle tension, nervous system sensitivity, and changes in circulation, particularly through the neck, shoulders, and head. They can be influenced by factors such as stress, posture, fatigue, or hormonal shifts, and may build up over time.
Acupuncture uses fine needles to release tight muscles, particularly through the neck and shoulders, and support changes in how the body processes tension and pain. This may include a more targeted, dry needling style approach, alongside points selected to improve the flow of Qi and blood and help settle an overactive nervous system. From a Chinese medicine perspective, headaches and migraines are often associated with patterns such as Qi stagnation, liver yang rising, or internal heat. Point selection is used not only to ease local tension, but also to help regulate these underlying imbalances and reduce the tendency for symptoms to recur.
Alongside this, herbal medicine may be used where appropriate to support these patterns more deeply. Formulas are selected based on your individual presentation and may be used to help regulate Qi flow, clear heat, or support the body’s internal balance. We may also guide you on identifying triggers and supporting the body more broadly, including advice around regular meals, managing stress, and lifestyle factors.
Who Is This Treatment Suitable For?
Acupuncture for headaches and migraines is suitable for most adults experiencing recurring or chronic headache symptoms. It can also be considered alongside conventional approaches under the guidance of your GP or specialist.
If you are pregnant, taking medication for migraine, or have a specific medical condition, please mention this when you book and your practitioner will tailor your care accordingly.
What to Expect from Treatment
At your initial appointment, we take the time to understand your headaches, including how often they occur, what they feel like, and any patterns or triggers. From there, we create a plan that is tailored to your presentation and goals.
We usually suggest starting with an initial block of 4 to 6 sessions to allow enough momentum for change. These are often scheduled weekly or twice weekly, depending on frequency and severity. After this initial phase, we reassess your progress together and adjust the plan accordingly. Some people may only need short-term support, while others choose to continue with more spaced-out sessions to support their overall wellbeing.
During acupuncture, you may feel a dull ache, heaviness, or a brief sensation, particularly when working into tight areas. Afterward, it is common to feel more relaxed or clear-headed, although some people may feel temporarily sleepy. Changes are often noticed as a shift in the frequency, intensity, or duration of headaches over time.
Evidence and Research
Acupuncture has been widely studied for headaches and migraines, particularly for migraine prevention and the management of recurrent primary headache disorders. Recent reviews suggest acupuncture may be associated with improvements in migraine frequency, duration, and quality of life, and in some analyses has compared favourably with sham acupuncture or medication, although study quality still varies.
For migraine specifically, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported reductions in migraine attacks, migraine days, and pain-related measures following acupuncture, with some studies also suggesting benefits may persist beyond the immediate course of care.
For tension-type headache, systematic reviews also suggest acupuncture may reduce headache frequency and intensity. Overall, the research is supportive, particularly for migraine, but findings are not uniform across all studies. Acupuncture is commonly included in the research literature as a low-risk option within a broader approach to managing headaches and migraines.
References
- Pereira, P.A., Marto, J.P., Gonçalves, F. and Costa, J., 2025. Acupuncture is an effective alternative to medication for migraine: An umbrella review. Journal of Integrative Medicine.
- Lu, T. et al., 2025. Acupuncture improves migraine and quality of life in patients with migraine: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 14(1), p. 220.
- Yang, C. et al., 2024. Acupuncture for migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis of dose-response relationships. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 82, p. 103073.
- Kang, W.L. et al., 2023. Acupuncture for tension-type headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, p. 943495.
- Tao, Q.F. et al., 2023. Efficacy of acupuncture for tension-type headache prophylaxis: systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Journal of Neurology, 270, pp. 3402 to 3412.
Why Choose Us
At Altona Acupuncture, headaches and migraines are something we see regularly, so our approach is grounded in strong clinical experience and a clear, structured way of supporting change.
We combine traditional acupuncture with a more targeted, muscle-based approach, allowing us to address both the tension through the neck and shoulders and the underlying patterns that may be influencing recurrence.
A key part of our care is helping you understand your patterns and triggers, and what to expect as things shift. We place a strong focus on clear planning, regular reassessment, and making sure you feel confident in the direction of your care.
Our clinic is also known for its consistency across practitioners. Whether you are seeing one practitioner or being supported by the team, you can expect a similar standard of care, communication, and clinical reasoning.
FAQs
Headaches and migraines often have multiple contributing factors, such as muscle tension, stress, hormonal changes, sleep patterns, or dietary triggers. For many people, it is a combination of these factors rather than a single cause. Addressing the cause holistically aims to get to the root of the problem to help reduce how often they occur.
Not always just the head. While some points may be used locally, we often work through the neck, shoulders, and other areas of the body to address the underlying causes.
Yes, tension through the neck and shoulders is a common contributor to headaches. This is often referred to as tension-type headache and can also play a role in triggering migraines.
Some people notice a shift immediately, while for others it can take a few sessions to notice more consistent changes. This depends on how long the headaches have been present and how your body responds.
Both can be appropriate. Some people choose to come in during a migraine, while others focus on more regular sessions to support changes over time. We can guide you based on your pattern.
Fees are listed on our Fees page. Many private health funds offer rebates for acupuncture when provided by an AHPRA-registered practitioner, which can reduce the out-of-pocket cost.
How We Approach Headaches and Migraines at Altona Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Professional acupuncture treatments in Altona, inner west Melbourne. Tailored sessions for pain, fertility, stress and general wellbeing. Book your initial consultation today.
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Chinese Herbal Medicine
Customised Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions in Altona, Melbourne. Experienced TCM practitioners treating hormonal, digestive, fertility and pain conditions. Book a consultation.
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Moxibustion
Moxibustion therapy in Altona, inner west Melbourne. Traditional moxa treatment for pain, fatigue, menstrual concerns, breech presentation and digestive weakness.
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