Acupuncture for Migraines: Personalized, Natural Relief

Acupuncture is highly effective in treating headaches, including migraines. Migraines are often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vision changes, mood shifts, difficulty concentrating, and muscle weakness. These debilitating headaches may present as one-sided pain, but can also occur anywhere in the head and often feel throbbing or pulsating. Acupuncture for migraines reduces both symptom severity and headache frequency by addressing the root imbalances contributing to pain.

Where Is the Headache?

When you visit us for a migraine, whether you're actively experiencing it or describing your typical pattern, the location of your headache helps our practitioners determine which meridians are affected. In Chinese Medicine, the Stomach meridian is often linked to pain at the front of the face and forehead. The Urinary Bladder meridian can also be involved when the forehead or occiput is affected. Pain in the temples typically relates to the Gallbladder meridian, while pain at the top of the head is associated with the Liver meridian.

Once we determine which meridians are involved, we can select acupuncture points that will provide the most effective treatment. If you're experiencing a migraine during your visit, we may use points located directly at the site of pain, or on the same meridian but opposite side of the head. Even when you're not in active pain, we use distal points along the corresponding meridians to restore energetic flow, alleviate discomfort, and reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines over time.

What Are Your Triggers?

Migraines can be triggered by overstimulation from bright lights, loud sounds, or strong smells. In such cases, acupuncture calms the nervous system, using points that are highly effective at downregulating stress responses—some of which are located on the ears.

For those whose migraines coincide with the menstrual cycle, particularly as part of PMS or during menstruation, we often focus on Liver meridian function. The Liver governs the free flow of Qi, and stagnation in this system often leads to both PMS symptoms and menstrual migraines. Acupuncture for hormonal migraines soothes Liver Qi and helps reestablish balance in the body’s energy system.

Stress-related migraines are also commonly linked to the Liver meridian. In Chinese Medicine, each organ system correlates with an emotion, and the Liver is connected to stress and frustration. When Liver Qi becomes stagnant due to chronic stress—or stress arises as a result of this stagnation—migraines can occur. We select points that help the Liver Qi course freely, providing both physical and emotional relief.

Migraines that are caused or worsened by neck and shoulder tension may involve the Gallbladder and Urinary Bladder meridians, which run through the neck and shoulders. Treatment may include both local points to relieve muscle tension and distal points along these meridians to restore circulation and energy flow.

For patients whose migraines are triggered by fatigue or poor sleep, we consider several diagnostic possibilities. Overwork and exhaustion can deplete your Qi and sometimes Blood, leading to migraine pain. If you're feeling tired but wired—unable to wind down even when exhausted—we may be addressing a pattern of Yin deficiency with Heat. Yin represents the cool, quiet, restful aspect of the body. When Yin is deficient, internal Heat can rise and cause agitation, headaches, and insomnia. If you're unable to fall or stay asleep, this may also indicate Yin and Blood deficiency, as both substances nourish the Heart and settle the spirit. Treatment will aim to nourish Yin and Blood, support restful sleep, and reduce the likelihood of migraines.

What Are Your Other Symptoms?

In addition to identifying migraine triggers, our practitioners will ask about your accompanying symptoms to determine the underlying energetic disharmony. If you're experiencing fatigue, poor concentration, or a heavy, achy feeling in the body, this may point to Spleen Qi deficiency. The Spleen plays a central role in generating Qi and energy. It's also responsible for clear thinking and for energizing the muscles. In this case, we may include acupuncture and moxibustion to tonify Spleen Qi and help improve energy and focus.

If you experience vision changes during or before migraines, this may be a sign of Liver Blood deficiency, since the Liver nourishes the eyes. Treatment will include points to build Liver Blood, and if Liver Qi stagnation is also contributing, we’ll address that as well to restore proper circulation and clarity.

Mood changes are also a key part of the diagnostic picture. In Chinese Medicine, each emotion is associated with an organ system. If a specific emotion arises consistently with your migraines, we’ll focus on balancing that organ and its related energetic function. Since the Heart is affected by all emotions and stores the Shen (spirit), we’ll often use points that nourish Blood and calm the Heart, helping to regulate emotional shifts and support your emotional well-being.

Other Tools and Techniques

Our treatments may also include supportive tools to help extend relief beyond your acupuncture sessions. Ear seeds, which are small metal balls or vaccaria seeds affixed to specific points on the ear, can continue to stimulate analgesic or meridian-balancing points for several days. They may be placed on points corresponding to headache location—such as the forehead, temple, or occiput—or on points that regulate nervous system activity or address the root cause of your migraine.

We may also apply body magnets to selected acupuncture points. These small, discreet magnets work similarly to ear seeds and are left on for several days to gently stimulate points, promoting ongoing relief and supporting your body’s return to balance.

If you're experiencing a migraine between visits, acupressure offers a simple and effective at-home strategy. One of the most commonly used points for headache relief is LI-4, located between the thumb and index finger. Pressing on this point can help ease the intensity of your headache and provide quick, accessible relief.

Takeaways: Personalized Acupuncture for Migraine Relief

The causes of migraines are as diverse as the individuals who experience them. In Chinese Medicine, we understand that every person’s migraine symptoms are unique. By identifying where your migraines occur, what triggers them, and which additional symptoms you experience, we develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause and provides immediate relief.

Whether you're experiencing migraines from hormonal shifts, stress, sleep issues, or tension, acupuncture offers a safe, natural, and holistic solution. Our goal is not only to reduce current pain but to prevent future migraines—restoring balance, improving your quality of life, and helping you feel more like yourself again.