Acupuncture for Headaches & Migraines
The Research...
Migraines affect around 10% of people in the UK and can significantly impact daily life. NICE guidelines recognise acupuncture as a treatment option that may be considered for chronic tension-type headaches and migraine prevention.
Acupuncture may help by influencing the nervous system, regulating pain signals, and affecting areas of the brain involved in pain processing and stress response.
Research suggests acupuncture may support pain regulation through several mechanisms, including nerve stimulation, modulation of inflammatory responses, and changes in the body’s natural pain-relieving pathways.
For chronic tension-type headaches and migraine, a course of up to 10 acupuncture sessions over 5–8 weeks may be considered.
How Acupuncture May Work
The Research...
Acupuncture is believed to influence the nervous system through stimulation of specific acupuncture points. Research has suggested that acupuncture may affect areas of the brain involved in pain perception and stress regulation, potentially helping to reduce sensitivity to pain and promote relaxation (Hui, 2010).
Studies have explored several possible mechanisms that may contribute to acupuncture’s effects, including:
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Supporting the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins (Han, 2004).
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Influencing neuropeptide activity, including changes in neuropeptide Y levels, which may play a role in pain and stress regulation (Lee, 2009).
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Stimulating nerves located within muscles and other tissues, influencing communication between the body and nervous system (Pomeranz, 1987; Zhao, 2008; Cheng, 2009).
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Supporting the regulation of inflammatory responses within the body (Zijlstra, 2003; Kavoussi, 2007).
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Increasing local microcirculation, which may support tissue health and the body’s natural recovery processes (Komori, 2009).
Research continues to explore the complex ways acupuncture interacts with the body. Current evidence suggests acupuncture may be a useful approach for supporting pain management, stress regulation and overall wellbeing.