Acupuncture for Headaches & Migraines: What to Expect in Treatment
- Dr. Ev Juniper
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 5
When pain keeps circling back—behind the eyes, at the temples, across the scalp, or pulsing one-sided—it often strikes at the worst times, disrupting work, rest, and the flow of daily life. Finding consistent relief means not just easing the pain in the moment, but addressing the patterns that make it return.
What kinds of headaches do we see?
People come in with a mix of patterns—
Tension-type: band-like pressure, often tied to posture, eyestrain, or stress.
Migraines: throbbing or one-sided pain, sometimes with light/sound sensitivity, nausea, or aura.
Cervicogenic/neck-related: pain that starts at the base of the skull or upper neck and radiates forward.
Sinus-related: facial pressure around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead.
You don’t need to know which you have before you arrive. We’ll sort that out together and shape care accordingly.
How acupuncture for headaches may help
From an East Asian Medicine perspective, headaches arise when circulation or signaling is disrupted—by stress, muscle tension, hormonal shifts, sleep disruption, or other triggers. Modern physiology offers parallel explanations:
Nervous system balance: down-shifting from fight/flight to rest/digest can reduce pain signaling and muscle guarding.
Vascular regulation: improved microcirculation supports oxygenation and helps modulate throbbing pain.
Inflammatory mediators: acupuncture is associated with shifts in pain-related neurochemistry that can reduce frequency/intensity.
Muscle + fascia release: targeted points help soften neck, jaw, and scalp tension that perpetuate headaches.
The goal isn’t only fewer headaches, but a body that’s less primed for them.
What to expect at your first visit
A calm start. We’ll talk through your history, triggers, routines, and what relief would change for you.
Gentle treatment. Expect minimal, carefully chosen points—often on the limbs or scalp. Non-needling techniques are available for those who prefer them.
Immediate after-effects. Many people feel calmer and clearer after the first session; pain may reduce right away or ease over hours.
Follow-ups are shorter, focused, and adjust as your body responds.
How many sessions will I need?
Healing isn’t always a straight line, but a rhythm. As a general guide:
Recent or stress-related headaches: Sometimes the headache eases right away—even with the first treatment. For the frequency of headaches to taper more steadily, expect noticeable change within 4–6 sessions (often over 4–6 weeks).
Chronic or migraine patterns (6+ months): Relief may still come in the first session, but reducing frequency and intensity usually requires a longer rhythm of care—often 6–12 weeks of consistent treatment before tapering.
Adjuncts that may be recommended
Moxibustion a form of gentle herbal heat therapy, where a dried herb (mugwort) is warmed near the skin to relax the neck and shoulders and support circulation. The warmth is soothing and never burns the skin.
Cupping for stubborn muscle tension (often helpful for tension-type or neck-driven headaches).
Herbal support alongside symptom relief, herbs can help shift the body’s terrain over time—supporting sleep, digestion, stress response, and the overall health of tissues and the nervous system. The goal isn’t just short-term comfort, but creating an internal environment less prone to headaches in the future.
All are optional and tailored to your comfort.
Between-visit support (simple, doable things)
Regular meals + hydration to keep blood sugar and fluids steady.
Neck/upper-back mobility breaks if you work at a screen—little and often beats occasional marathons.
Gentle breathwork before bed to settle the system; even 3–5 minutes helps.
Trigger awareness without pressure or perfectionism—notice patterns, adjust what’s feasible, and let the rest go.
If you ever develop a sudden, severe “worst headache of your life,” new neurological symptoms (weakness, confusion, fainting), or headache after head injury/fever/stiff neck—please seek urgent medical care.
Insurance, OHP, and affordable options
Many insurance plans cover acupuncture for headaches and migraines; specifics vary by plan. If you’re in Oregon and enrolled in OHP, coverage may be possible with a physician’s referral when the diagnosis is headaches/migraines. Please check your benefits (we have a simple verification form) and we’ll help you understand your options. When coverage is limited or runs out, we can map an affordable plan—private sessions or community acupuncture—to keep your care consistent.
What makes ECHO a good fit?
Subtle, precise care. We use fewer needles, often only a few, placed with intention.
Root-focused. We treat the immediate pain and the patterns underneath.
Introvert-friendly space. A quiet, non-performative environment where you don’t have to be “on.”
Neighborhood-rooted. Our clinic sits in the annex behind the historic Fields’ House in Gladstone, beside the Trolley Trail and old-growth redwoods.
FAQs
Does it hurt?
Most people feel very little—often a heaviness, warmth, or soft release. If you’re needle-sensitive, we can use ultra-light needling or needle-free methods.
Can I do acupuncture alongside my medications?
Yes. We’ll ask what you’re taking, coordinate with your goals, and work in a supportive way. Never stop or alter medications without guidance from your prescriber.
How soon will I notice change?
Some feel relief right away; others notice steadier progress over a few visits. Our plan adjusts to your response.
Will I need to change my lifestyle?
Only what’s realistic. Small, consistent shifts around sleep, screens, and nutrition often make the biggest difference.
Ready when you are
If headaches or migraines have been narrowing your days, there’s another way. Book a visit, verify your benefits if you’d like, and we’ll start with a plan that fits your life.
Acupuncture for headaches and migraines in Gladstone, OR, serving Milwaukie, Oregon City, Jennings Lodge, and nearby communities. Clinic located in the annex behind the historic Fields’ House, next to the Trolley Trail.
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