Acupuncture for Headaches & Migraines

Because “Just Take a Painkiller” Isn’t a Treatment Plan

If you’re living with tension headaches, hormonal migraines, or that classic “tight band” across your forehead, chances are you’ve been told to stretch more, drink water, take magnesium, or try a new pillow.

Helpful? Sometimes.

Effective long-term? Not usually.

At Canberra Acupuncture, we treat headaches from the inside out. That means working with your nervous system, muscle tension, circulation, and underlying imbalances that are driving your symptoms — not just slapping on a quick fix.

Why Do Headaches Happen?

Headaches are rarely just “in your head.” They’re often the result of a nervous system overload or miscommunication. Some of the most common drivers include:

  • Tight neck and jaw muscles

  • Hormonal shifts (menstrual, menopause, pill-related)

  • Stress and nervous system tension

  • Digestive sluggishness (yep, gut health can trigger headaches)

  • Posture and movement patterns

  • Screen time fatigue + poor sleep

In Chinese medicine, headaches often reflect a mismatch in how energy and blood are flowing through the body — usually involving the Liver, Spleen, and Gallbladder channels, depending on the type of headache.

How Acupuncture Helps Relieve Headaches

1. Calms the Nervous System

Headaches often come from an overstimulated or fatigued nervous system. Acupuncture helps your body shift gears — from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-repair” — which is often when headache relief naturally follows.

2. Releases Tight Muscles in the Neck, Jaw, and Face

Gentle acupuncture to trigger points and meridian lines helps relax chronically tight muscles, especially around the base of the skull, jaw, and shoulders.

3. Improves Circulation and Flow

By boosting local and systemic circulation, acupuncture helps reduce the vascular congestion that’s often linked to migraines and sinus pressure headaches.

4. Regulates Hormones and Stress Response

Acupuncture supports your body’s hormonal feedback loops and stress response — especially useful in menstrual migraines or peri-menopausal headaches.

What Kinds of Headaches Acupuncture Can Help

✔ Tension headaches

✔ Migraines (with or without aura)

✔ Sinus headaches

✔ Jaw tension / TMJ-related headaches

✔ Hormonal / menstrual headaches

✔ Headaches from neck or shoulder strain

✔ Post-stress or postural fatigue headaches

What to Expect at Your Headache Session

At Canberra Acupuncture, every session is tailored to your unique experience — not just your diagnosis.

You’ll receive:

  • A thorough assessment of triggers, tension areas, and nervous system signs

  • A relaxing acupuncture treatment focused on your head, neck, shoulders, and nervous system

  • Optional cupping or gentle cranial work

  • A calm, dimly lit space where your nervous system gets to breathe

Canberra’s Natural Option for Headache Relief

If you’re tired of powering through your day with a foggy head and a drawer full of painkillers, acupuncture may be the missing link.

It’s gentle. It’s evidence-informed. And most importantly — it works.

Ready to Give Your Head a Break?

👉 Book Your Acupuncture Session for Headache Relief

Let’s help you feel clear, calm, and headache-free — naturally.

References:
  • Zhao ZQ. Neural mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia. Prog Neurobiol. 2008
  • Vickers AJ et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: A meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2012
  • Linde K et al. Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016