Acupuncture for Migraine and Headache Relief
There is good evidence indicating that acupuncture is an effective treatment option for tension headaches and migraine.
Acupuncture for Migraine and Headaches
- Pain and tension around the temples, head and neck
- Intense one sided headache
- Pain behind the eyes & sensitivity to light
- Worse around the time of the period
Can acupuncture help with migraine and headaches?
The Latest Research
The evidence for acupuncture keeps growing. A 2025 meta-analysis pooling over 2000 migraine patients, found that acupuncture reduced migraine days by more than two per month, cut the length of individual attacks by over four hours, and meaningfully improved quality-of-life scores (Lu & Liu, 2025). A separate 2025 review in the European Journal of Neurology found that patients having acupuncture needed less pain medication and reported a better quality of life than those on standard medical care alone (Pistoia et al., 2025).
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture has one of the strongest safety records of any headache or migraine treatment. In the largest UK study of its kind, covering over 34,000 acupuncture treatments given by professional acupuncturists, researchers recorded no serious adverse events at all (MacPherson et al., 2001).
The acupuncturists at Islington Acupuncture are all British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) registered. BAcC members complete a minimum of three years’ degree-level training and follow a strict Code of Safe Practice covering hygiene and clinical safety. We use pre-sterilised, single-use, disposable needles.
What to Expect From Your Treatment
Your first appointment starts with a detailed conversation about your headaches or migraines; frequency, what they feel like, and what seems to trigger or ease them. We also take a broader look at your health history and lifestyle. This helps your practitioner build a treatment plan suited to you.
The needles used are hair-fine, sterile and single-use, and most people feel little more than a light tap as they’re inserted. Once in place, you might notice a mild ache, tingling or warmth around the point. Needles are typically left in place for 20 – 30 minutes while you rest.
Most people feel calm or pleasantly drowsy during and after treatment, and some notice an improvement in their symptoms from the first session, though the full benefit tends to build over a course of treatment. In line with NICE guidance, a typical course for headache or migraine prevention is up to 10 sessions over 5 to 8 weeks, and your practitioner will review your progress with you throughout.