Is Acupuncture Effective for Migraines? A Review of the Research

• Research shows that acupuncture might help reduce how often and how bad migraines are, but it works differently for everyone.
• Acupuncture should be done by a professional Chinese medicine practitioner—doing it yourself can be risky.
• The cost of treatment varies depending on where you live and how many sessions you need, but it usually ranges from $300 to $1,440 per course of treatment.
• It takes time to see results—it won’t stop the pain right away. Instead, it helps prevent future attacks.

If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you know it’s far more than a bad headache. The throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound can stop you in your tracks. For many, medications help, but they don’t always do the trick—or they come with side effects.

That’s where acupuncture, an ancient practice from Chinese medicine, steps in as a potential alternative. But does it really work for migraines? Let’s dive into the science, explore how it’s done, and see if it’s worth a try.

What Is Acupuncture, Anyway?

Acupuncture involves inserting super-thin needles into specific spots on your body, called acupoints. The idea, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, is to balance your body’s energy flow—known as qi (pronounced “chee”)—to ease pain and promote healing. For migraines, practitioners target points believed to calm the nervous system and reduce headache triggers¹.

Think of it like tuning a guitar: when the strings (or your energy) are out of whack, it sounds awful. Acupuncture aims to get everything humming smoothly again.

Does Acupuncture Actually Help Migraines?

Researchers have been poking into acupuncture’s effects on migraines for years (pun intended!), and the results are promising—though not without some debate. Here’s what the latest studies say:

• Fewer Migraines, Less Pain: A 2023 review in Frontiers in Neuroscience looked at 15 studies with over 3,000 participants. It found that acupuncture cut down the number of migraine days by about 0.86 days per month and reduced attacks by 0.68 per month compared to sham (fake) acupuncture². Pain intensity dropped, too, according to patient reports.
• A Match for Meds: A study from the National Library of Medicine showed acupuncture was just as effective as drugs like flunarizine for preventing migraines, but with fewer side effects³. That’s a win if you’re wary of pills.
• Long-Term Perks: A 2024 meta-analysis found that sticking with 6–12 sessions offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to migraine prevention⁴. More isn’t always better—there’s a sweet spot.

But here’s the catch: not every study agrees. A 2005 trial in JAMA suggested the benefits might partly come from the placebo effect, as sham acupuncture worked almost as well as the real thing⁵. Still, the tide of recent research leans toward acupuncture being a solid option for migraine relief.

Summary: Researchers have studied acupuncture for migraines. Some studies show it reduces migraine days, pain, and is as effective as drugs with fewer side effects. Long – term, 6 – 12 sessions are ideal. But not all studies agree; a 2005 trial hinted at a placebo effect.

How Does Acupuncture Tackle Migraines?

Scientists aren’t 100% sure how acupuncture works, but they’ve got some pretty good guesses:

• Painkillers from Within: The needles may trigger your body to release endorphins, its own natural pain relievers⁶.
• Better Blood Flow: It might ease inflammation and improve circulation in areas tied to migraines⁷.
• Brain Reset: Acupuncture could calm the overactive brain signals that spark migraine pain⁸.

Picture it like flipping a switch to turn down the volume on your headache—subtle, but effective over time.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Good news: acupuncture is generally safe when done by a pro. The most common hiccups are minor, like:

• A little soreness or bruising where the needles go in.
• Feeling a bit woozy afterward.

Serious risks—like infections or nerve damage—are rare but possible if the needles aren’t sterile or the practitioner isn’t skilled. That’s why picking a licensed acupuncturist is key. Look for someone certified by groups like the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

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Three Acupoints That Might Ease Your Migraines

In traditional Chinese medicine, certain points are go-tos for migraines. Here’s a peek at three, based on centuries of practice and your provided material^{9 10}:

1. Fengchi (GB20)
   • Where: At the base of your skull, in the hollows between your neck muscles.
   • Why: It’s famous for tackling one-sided headaches and stress-related migraines. Ancient texts say it’s a champ at “clearing wind” (a poetic way of saying it fights pain).
   • How: Needles go in at an angle, and the sensation might spread toward your eyes. Pros say it works fast—left-side pain, needle the left; right-side, needle the right.
   • Caution: This spot’s near the brainstem, so only a trained expert should touch it.
2. Sizhukong (SJ23)
   • Where: In the dip at the end of your eyebrow.
   • Why: Perfect for migraines hitting your temples or forehead. Historical records call it a headache buster that “clears the head.”
   • How: The needle slides along your scalp, sending a tingly feeling across your temple. It’s like unclogging a blocked pipe—once the energy flows, the pain eases.
3. Xuanzhong (GB39)
   • Where: On your outer ankle, about three finger-widths above the high point.
   • Why: Known as a “marrow meeting point,” it’s thought to cool inflammation and soothe migraines tied to stress or weather shifts.
   • How: Needling here sends a sensation up your leg toward your head—an odd but effective signal to dial down the pain.

Heads-up: Don’t try this at home! These techniques need a skilled hand to get right and stay safe.

What to Expect if You Try Acupuncture

Acupuncture isn’t a magic wand for an active migraine—it’s more about prevention. Here’s the rundown:

• Session Count: Plan for 6–12 visits, usually once or twice a week.
• Timing: Some feel better right away, but the real payoff often comes after a few weeks.
• Cost: Sessions run $50–$120 each, so a full course could be $300–$1,440.

It’s a commitment, but if you’re after fewer migraines without popping pills, it might be your thing.

Is It Worth It for You?

Acupuncture could be a game-changer if:

• You’re open to trying something beyond conventional treatments.
• You can stick with it for a few weeks.
• You’re okay with needles (they’re tiny, promise!).

But hold off if you’ve got bleeding issues or are on blood thinners—chat with your doctor first. Not sure? Many acupuncturists offer free consults to talk it over.

Read more: How Acupuncture Affects Your Body: Benefits, Side Effects, and More

The Bottom Line

The evidence says yes, acupuncture can help—especially for cutting down how often migraines hit and how bad they get. It’s not a cure-all, and it might not outshine meds for everyone, but it’s a safe, low-risk option with solid science backing it up. Pair it with stress-busting habits or dietary tweaks, and you might just find some relief.

So, should you give it a shot? If you’re curious and migraines are cramping your style, it’s worth a conversation with your healthcare team. Who knows—those little needles might be the big break you’ve been waiting for.

Trusted source

1. Chon T Y, Lee M C. Acupuncture[C]//Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Elsevier, 2013, 88(10): 1141-1146. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619613005132 ↩︎
2. Shi H, Miao R, Gao S, Zhu L, Fang J and Liu Z (2023) The durable effect of acupuncture for episodic migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Neurosci. 17:1211438. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1211438 ↩︎
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7125485/ ↩︎
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229924000645 ↩︎
5. Linde K, Streng A, Jürgens S, et al. Acupuncture for Patients With Migraine: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA. 2005;293(17):2118–2125. doi:10.1001/jama.293.17.2118 ↩︎
6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4767-acupuncture ↩︎
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290117300390 ↩︎
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3291665/ ↩︎
9. http://www.zhenhospital.com/content.thtml?id=8375 ↩︎
10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7606388/ ↩︎