Acupuncture for Migraines
How Acupuncture Can Help with Migraines: What the Research Says
If you suffer from migraines, you know how debilitating they can be. Throbbing head pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound—these symptoms can interfere with daily life and leave you feeling exhausted and frustrated. While medications may offer temporary relief, many people are looking for a more natural, long-term solution. This is where acupuncture comes in.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and restore balance. It has been practiced for thousands of years, and modern science is catching up with what practitioners have long known—acupuncture works.
How Acupuncture Helps with Migraines
Acupuncture can reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines by:
Regulating the nervous system: Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, which help modulate pain and reduce stress.
Improving blood flow: It enhances circulation, which can decrease the muscle tension and vascular constriction that often trigger migraines.
Calming inflammation: Chronic migraines are linked to inflammation in the nervous system, and acupuncture has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers.
Balancing hormones: Hormonal fluctuations, especially in women, are a common migraine trigger. Acupuncture supports endocrine function and may reduce hormonally related migraines.
What the Research Says
Research supports acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for migraines:
A 2016 meta-analysis published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analyzed 22 trials with over 4,400 participants. The researchers found that acupuncture significantly reduced the frequency of migraine headaches and was at least as effective as conventional drug treatments—without the side effects.
(Linde K et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016)A 2020 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that acupuncture reduced the frequency of migraines in chronic sufferers by 50% or more over a 16-week period, with effects continuing even after treatment ended.
(Zhao L et al., JAMA Intern Med. 2020)The American Migraine Foundation now lists acupuncture as a beneficial non-pharmacological treatment for migraines, especially for patients who can’t tolerate medications.
Why a Holistic Approach Makes a Difference
At Loon Holistic Health, we don’t just treat symptoms—we treat the whole person. While acupuncture is incredibly effective on its own, it becomes even more powerful when combined with other healing modalities. Our clinic offers a comprehensive range of services including massage therapy, Reiki, Ayurvedic counseling, and naturopathic medicine. Together, these therapies address the root causes of migraines—from stress and tension to hormonal imbalance, gut health, and beyond.
By choosing a holistic clinic, you benefit from:
Collaborative care: Practitioners working together with a shared understanding of the body as an interconnected system.
Customized treatment plans: No one-size-fits-all protocols—your care is tailored to your body, lifestyle, and health goals.
Whole-body healing: Support not just for pain relief, but for long-term vitality, balance, and prevention.
Real Results, Naturally
If migraines are disrupting your life, you don’t have to suffer in silence or rely solely on medication. Acupuncture offers a time-tested, research-supported path toward relief—one that treats not just the symptoms, but the underlying imbalances behind them.
Ready to try acupuncture for migraines—along with the full support of a holistic team?
At Loon Holistic Health, we specialize in treating chronic conditions like migraines with personalized, integrative care. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward fewer headaches and more days that are truly yours.
