All patients suffering from headaches are not simply treated the same way. Practitioners identify and treat the pattern of disharmony that is based on all of the patient’s symptoms, along with their pulse and tongue diagnosis. This helps us to get a deeper picture of what the root of the problem is. As long as the correct pattern is identified, the headaches should be treatable. 

The treatment protocol will be partially determined on the nature of the headache pain (dull, heavy, throbbing, stabbing), the location of the pain (behind the eyes, temples, base of the skull, on one side of the head only, the top of the head), what triggers the headache or aggravates the headache pain (certain foods, weather conditions, emotions, menstruation). 



Both acupuncture and herbal therapy, on their own, or in combination, give excellent results for headaches. Treatment will vary depending on what type of headache a person suffers from. Some patients benefit from only a few acupuncture sessions while others require a longer course of herbal therapy combined with acupuncture. Chronic cases (experiencing symptoms for more than several months) generally take longer, sometimes 3-6 months of treatment is required for successful results. Acupuncture is an incredibly effective and safe option for people with chronic headaches of all kinds.

   I often will recommend that patients with chronic headaches commit to treatment once a week for 4-6 weeks, then assess for progress. 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used along with other medications to both enhance the effects and mitigate the side effects. There is no need to discontinue Western medication while receiving Chinese medicine. However, many people have, in time, decreased or totally eliminated their reliance on these medications as their condition continues to improve. 
Cupping massage and/or Gua Sha added to your acupuncture regimen could also be beneficial.


It was reported by the BBC that recent research in England the treatment of headaches showed “acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic headaches and should be more widely available… introducing acupuncture services could lead to significant long-term benefits for patients with chronic headaches.” Research also determined patients who received acupuncture treatment had fewer headaches than patients who did not and made less visits to the doctor and reduced their use of painkillers.