Can Acupuncture for Migraines Stop Relentless Attacks?

Written and verified by Holly Hazen

Can acupuncture help with headaches? Acupuncture for migraines has been endorsed by The World Health Organization (WHO) since 1979. So, it must help… right?

But what about the studies that prove "sham" acupuncture works just as well as real acupuncture? There are other studies that affirm acupuncture provides relief to chronic headache sufferers. The medical community’s research and opinion on acupuncture seems to be somewhat mixed.

But in my experience researching over the years, mixed research findings are not unusual for the medical community.

Let me tell you a little bit of my story… then I'll give you the answer.

Do The Needles Hurt?

I put off having acupuncture for migraines for many years because I just don't like needles in any shape or form. They just freak me out! I used to faint.

So it took me years to work up the courage to go for a treatment. 

I went to numerous acupuncturists. Some prescribed herbs as well, some took my pulse, and some only did the needle part of the treatment.

The best one I ever went to used all three plus a lovely back massage with special (strong smelling) tonics for the body before the needles went in. I loved that bit. He was my favorite, but he moved back to New Zealand.

I did get to work with him for two years, but I am sad to say that after all the regular treatments I saw no change in the patterns of my migraines. None.

He used a different technique needling the inner meridian points, and not on the limbs like the points I go over below. I've had much better results with the points I will show you.

So yes they hurt, especially if they hit a nerve, but only for a short time. If it goes on longer, tell your therapist and they will remove the needle.

Please don't let your fear get in the way of trying this method of pain relief. I suggest using graded exposure instead. Go for one treatment, and then two. See how big your fear of acupuncture for migraines is after that. But don't write it off.

Acupuncture is the most well known Chinese cure for migraine headache. In Chinese medicine the therapist treats the whole body not just the head pain.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach to understanding normal body function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as it does on the treatment. So each acupuncture for migraines treatment is tailored just for your body.

I spent 3+ years studying TCM and was just starting acupuncture when I got side swiped with yet another health issue.

Below are the specific meridian points that my acupuncture doctor used on me for reducing my right sided 'liver-fire' migraines. I went weekly for over 3 years. As TCM is one of my passions, I will give you a very brief description about what each point does.

Other Alternatives to Using Needles

You won't be able to access the needles with the glides unless you are a practitioner, so you might like to use your index finger to tap the point. I have written this post on migraine pressure point techniques so you can do this routine at home.

You can also use a tens machine or an electric acupuncture pen that uses a low electrical stimulus instead of a needle to stimulate these points and experiment with. These are good ones:

How Does Acupuncture Work for Migraine Relief?

Traditional Chinese medicine dates back thousands of years and the system uses: herbs (and dried insects), body signs (tongue, pulse), acupuncture, energy (Qi, pronounced chee) flow direction, intersecting meridian channels and points, moxa, tapping, massage (anmo tui Na)... just to name a few things.

So acupuncture is just one component of TCM. It involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on your body to restore the flow of your energy through a network of invisible channels called meridians.

It restores the flow of your life force energy throughout your body using the metal needles as a conduit.

Having acupuncture gets blocked, stagnant, excess (jitsu) or depleted (kyo) energy, that can cause pain, to get moving again.

It also claims to remove negative energy that can also cause pain. From a modern medical perspective, acupuncture stimulates other systems in your body that can trigger a healing response.

Acupuncture divides your body into a series of zones, pressure points, meridian points and intersections of meridian points. The thin needles are inserted into different meridian points, depending on your symptoms. 

When you have acupuncture for migraines, the needle points can often be near nerves in your body. This can hurt sometimes, but the combination of needles also stimulate the nerves to release hormones, like endorphins, that trigger a feel-good response from your body. "This immune and circulation system stimulation is what proponents of acupuncture claim relieves migraines and tension headaches." (source)

Acupuncture for migraines, by itself might not be enough to eliminate or treat your chronic attacks. Migraines, severe tension headaches, and cluster headaches that impair and disrupt your daily life should be addressed by finding the right abortive medication. Here is a list for you.

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What Specific Meridian Points to Use and What They Do

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Liver 3

Liver Meridian 3 (LIV3) is located in the foot at the junction of the first and second toe in the depression between and above them. Liver 3 is one of my favorite points. I can press it with a pen if I have to and it moves the energy away from my head and away from the migraine! 

LIV 3 is a Shu Stream Point; it sedates Liver Yang and calms the mind. It strengthens the Liver and is used for: after a headache, migraine, irritability, frustration and tension. Ah – that is why I must like it so much! I do tend to get frustrated with my relentless attacks.

I have been warned that this point may also cause the reverse effect with migraines, so experiment first. See if pressing it works for you.

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Spleen 6

Spleen Meridian 6 (SP6) is located 3 tsun above the tip of the medial malleolus. In English – that is 3 thumb widths above your ankle, inside. The Spleen Meridian is Yin – Earth. This point clears dampness, moves blood, and nourishes Kidney Yin.

It is used for all gynecological problems, irregular menses, and much more. It helps smooth the flow of Liver Chi – which helps pain and premenstrual tension. It nourishes the Kidney Yin by reducing thirst and hot flushes. There are so many other benefits with acupuncture for migraines.

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Triple Heater 5

Triple Heater Meridian 5 (TH5) is located 2 tsun above the wrist between the Ulna and Radius. Translated, it is on the top of your forearm 2 thumb widths, or three fingers, above your wrist crease. This point is the External Wind Heat Point and is used for lateral (on the side) headaches.

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Large Intestine 4

Large Intestine or more commonly called the Colon Meridian 4 (LI4) is located on the hand. It is the web between the thumb and the index finger, ½ way between on the index finger side. Closer to the bone not the middle of the web. The Colon Meridian is Yang – Metal. It opens up the four gates and is a major tonification point.

It is used for many things like constipation and diarrhea, abdominal pain, but is most widely known for headaches. Like I said, there are just so many other benefits with using acupuncture for migraines.

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Gall Bladder 12 and 20

Please see migraine pressure point for more instructions on the press and release technique.

What You Can Expect from a Treatment

If you decide to give acupuncture a try for relief of pain and symptoms, here's what to expect:

• An initial consultation evaluating all of your symptoms, lifestyle, and health history. This usually takes about 60 minutes.

• A treatment plan depending on the intensity, frequency and severity of your symptoms.

• Regular treatments consisting of either acupuncture needles or pressure points.

• If using needles, the practitioner may twist or manipulate the needle, apply heat (moxa) or electrical pulses to the needles. It’s possible to feel pain or a mild ache when a needle reaches the right depth. It could be a sharp pain if it touches a nerve, but it should be temporary. Let them know if it's not.

• Needles usually remain inserted for about 10 to 20 minutes (or longer) and should generally not be painful. Side effects to acupuncture can sometimes include itching, soreness, bleeding, and slight bruising.

• You may or may not respond immediately to treatment. But relaxation, having a little extra energy, and symptom relief are common.

• If after 2 or 3 months, you are not getting any pain or symptom relief, it may not be for you. _[2]
  
  

Forbidden Points with Pregnancy

In support of my acupuncture for migraines post, Nick, a qualified acupuncturist addressed many of the fears raised in my forum in a much better fashion than I ever could. I am not a licensed acupuncturist!

One of the most important points was this one:

"Fear #6 - Forbidden Points with Pregnancy

There are a few points that are generally agreed to avoid during pregnancy for fear of causing a miscarriage. They are LI4, Sp6, GB21, UB60-67 and any abdominal and back points below the umbilicus.

Some acupuncturists question the validity of this list on the grounds that acupuncture can’t really force the body to do something it doesn’t naturally want to do. Further study is needed to determine if these points really are unsafe. With pregnancy it is best to err on the side of caution so it is best to avoid them with pregnant women until they are ready to deliver."

My Results with Acupuncture

I did find that the weekly acupuncture for migraines reduced the severity of each migraine, but not the number of occurrences or duration. And it did become an expensive exercise to maintain long term.

Once I found a triptan that worked, I no longer noticed the reduction because the pain killer took over, so I stopped going for treatments.

I did notice that the weekly treatments increased my energy levels overall and balanced my emotions for a few days afterwards, so I would not hesitate to recommend trying acupuncture for migraines as an effective treatment for pain management and it has other health benefits as well.

It may be especially useful when you cannot take the prescribed medications available for migraine attacks.

Finding what works for you is essential.

It might also be worth finding out if there is a teaching or community clinic close to you that may have reduced rates.

For more on acupuncture for stopping nausea - enroll in my course for FREE or by joining the mailing list you will receive a free gift you can download instantly - 5 things you can use every day to help you combat migraines. 

Until next time, be well.

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<sub>Acupuncture for Migraines References:
1. Shubov, Dr. A. (2018) Using Acupressure and Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraine. Available [online] at: https://www.migrainesavvy.com/migraine-world-summit.html
2. Brusie, C. (2020) Stimulating Pressure Points for Migraine Relief. Available [online] at: https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/pressure-point-for-migraine Accessed Feb. 22, 2021</sub>