How can acupuncture help headaches

This article looks at 10 of the best…. There are many different medications that can help with migraine, including over-the-counter options and prescription treatments. Learn more about…. Acupuncture for migraine: What to know. Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D. Possible benefits Risks Guidelines Evidence Contacting a doctor Summary Migraine headaches are debilitating and people can find them difficult to manage without prescription medication. Benefits of acupuncture for migraines and headaches.

Acupuncture risks. General guidelines for acupuncture. Scientific evidence for acupuncture. When to contact a doctor. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. Home » Living with migraine » Healthcare support » « Treatment options » Acupuncture. Acupuncture Piercing the body with a solid needle for therapeutic purposes. What's on this page? What is it used for? Types of acupuncture. How it is used. Getting acupuncture. Pressing these points can help release muscle tension and promote blood circulation. It can also relieve many common side effects of chemotherapy.

You can do acupressure at home by using your fingers to apply pressure to different acupoints. Watch this video or follow the steps below to learn how to do acupressure to reduce pain and headaches. Pressure point LI-4, also called Hegu, is located between the base of your thumb and index finger. Doing acupressure on this point to relieve pain and headaches. Acupuncture divides your body into a series of zones and pressure points.

Acupuncture needles are inserted into different pressure points, depending on your symptoms. These needle points are usually near nerves in your body. The needle stimulates the nerves to release hormones, such as endorphins , that trigger a response from your body. This immune and circulation system stimulation is what proponents of acupuncture claim relieves migraines and tension headaches. Acupuncture itself carries little risk when done by a licensed practitioner.

Sometimes bruising, fatigue, and soreness follow an acupuncture appointment, especially after your first time. According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health, acupuncture that is performed with substandard or dirty equipment can pose a very serious health risk.

Acupuncture needles are regulated by the U. Food and Drug Administration and are supposed to be single-use only. Watch your practitioner to make sure that the needles being used are sterile and new. Acupuncture by itself might not be enough to treat chronic headache pain. Migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches that impair your daily life should be addressed with pain medication. Your practitioner will be able to advise you how many treatments you should expect, and how often you might need to go to experience relief of your symptoms.

A clinical study of acupuncture for cluster headaches recommended treatment twice a week for two weeks, followed by one treatment per week for eight weeks, and maintenance treatments of once every other week after that. Some people do feel tiny pricks when the needles are inserted for acupuncture treatment.