2022 Neurology
True acupuncture over an eight-week period is effective for reducing the frequency of chronic tension-type headache.
Acupuncture for Headache & Migraine
Headache and migraines are very common and debilitating, yet many people remain undiagnosed or untreated until their symptoms become unbearable.
Apart from commonly experienced tension, migraine and sinus headaches, there are also many medical conditions that cause headache which can make diagnosing and treating the underlying cause a challenging task.
A sudden onset and severe headache with fever or sore neck may be a sign of meningitis which requires immediate medical diagnosis and treatment.
What is our clinical experience?
Based on feedback collected from over 1,342 initial appointments for Headache & Migraine, 78% of our surveyed patients reported improved quality of life after their first 4 appointments. See our detailed benchmarking statistics.
InitialConsults
1,342
AverageAppointments
4
ImprovedQuality of Life
78%
Refer Family &Friends
90%
Who have we treated with this condition?
The age groups and genders we see most frequently with this condition. Note: this chart only represents the people who seek treatment at Ping Ming Health clinics for this condition.
- Female (77%)
- Male (22%)
| Age | Female % | Male % |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 0.07 | 0 |
| 12 | 0.07 | 0.13 |
| 14 | 0.07 | 0 |
| 15 | 0.07 | 0 |
| 16 | 0.13 | 0.07 |
| 17 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 18 | 0.13 | 0.13 |
| 19 | 0.2 | 0.07 |
| 20 | 0.33 | 0.13 |
| 21 | 0.13 | 0.13 |
| 22 | 0.26 | 0.2 |
| 23 | 0.53 | 0.33 |
| 24 | 0.33 | 0.13 |
| 25 | 0.4 | 0 |
| 26 | 1.26 | 0.13 |
| 27 | 1.13 | 0.26 |
| 28 | 0.99 | 0.2 |
| 29 | 1.13 | 0.26 |
| 30 | 1.72 | 0.26 |
| 31 | 0.93 | 0.66 |
| 32 | 1.85 | 0.66 |
| 33 | 1.66 | 0.13 |
| 34 | 1.66 | 0.46 |
| 35 | 2.19 | 0.66 |
| 36 | 2.38 | 0.33 |
| 37 | 2.72 | 0.73 |
| 38 | 2.12 | 0.73 |
| 39 | 2.19 | 1.13 |
| 40 | 2.45 | 0.66 |
| 41 | 2.52 | 0.86 |
| 42 | 2.45 | 0.53 |
| 43 | 2.05 | 0.53 |
| 44 | 2.12 | 0.79 |
| 45 | 1.99 | 0.53 |
| 46 | 2.12 | 0.66 |
| 47 | 2.98 | 0.66 |
| 48 | 2.38 | 0.66 |
| 49 | 1.59 | 0.33 |
| 50 | 1.99 | 0.2 |
| 51 | 1.46 | 0.79 |
| 52 | 1.26 | 0.53 |
| 53 | 1.46 | 0.26 |
| 54 | 1.85 | 0.4 |
| 55 | 1.52 | 0.26 |
| 56 | 1.32 | 0.6 |
| 57 | 0.99 | 0.4 |
| 58 | 0.93 | 0.66 |
| 59 | 1.32 | 0.66 |
| 60 | 1.13 | 0.13 |
| 61 | 1.46 | 0.2 |
| 62 | 0.73 | 0.2 |
| 63 | 1.06 | 0 |
| 64 | 0.6 | 0.26 |
| 65 | 0.86 | 0.07 |
| 66 | 0.93 | 0.07 |
| 67 | 1.39 | 0.26 |
| 68 | 0.53 | 0.33 |
| 69 | 0.73 | 0 |
| 70 | 0.79 | 0.33 |
| 71 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 72 | 0.2 | 0.07 |
| 73 | 0.46 | 0.2 |
| 74 | 0.2 | 0 |
| 75 | 0.26 | 0.13 |
| 76 | 0.33 | 0.2 |
| 77 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| 78 | 0.2 | 0.07 |
| 79 | 0.26 | 0.07 |
| 81 | 0.13 | 0.07 |
| 82 | 0.33 | 0.07 |
| 83 | 0.13 | 0 |
| 84 | 0.07 | 0 |
| 85 | 0.07 | 0 |
| 86 | 0.13 | 0.07 |
| 88 | 0.13 | 0 |
| 89 | 0.13 | 0 |
| 97 | 0.07 | 0 |
| 98 | 0 | 0.07 |
How many sessions of treatment?
The average number of appointments that patients attend for this condition. Some conditions respond quickly while others may require ongoing treatment.
Which types of treatments?
The types of treatments that are most frequently provided for this condition. Some treatments may be used in combination at the same time.
What does the research say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for headache & migraine.
Summary of Recent Research
Recent research from Australia and internationally highlights the effectiveness of Chinese medicine, particularly acupuncture, in treating headaches and migraines. A 2022 review in the Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics found a 6-week course of acupuncture to be as effective as 6 months of drug prophylaxis for migraines, suggesting that specific point selection and stimulation depth are less critical than previously thought. Additionally, a 2022 randomised controlled trial in Neurology demonstrated that true acupuncture significantly reduces the frequency of chronic tension-type headaches over eight weeks, offering a safe and effective treatment alternative.
Further support for acupuncture is evident in its comparability to pharmacological treatments, with a 2021 trial in Frontiers in Neurology showing similar efficacy in migraine prevention, but with improved patient compliance and fewer adverse events. These findings are consistent with earlier systematic reviews, such as those published in Neurology and Therapy (2020) and Pain Research & Management (2020), which confirm acupuncture's safety and effectiveness in reducing headache frequency and severity. Collectively, this body of research advocates for the integration of acupuncture into standard migraine management protocols, providing a well-tolerated and efficacious treatment option for migraine sufferers.
2022 Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
A 6-week course of acupuncture proves as effective as 6-month drug prophylaxis for migraines, with specific Chinese point selection and stimulation appearing less important.
2021 Frontiers in Neurology
Acupuncture could be as effective as pharmacological drugs for migraine prevention, with improved patient compliance and fewer adverse events.
2020 Pain Research & Management
Acupuncture reduced more headache days and the times of using painkiller and was more effective in reducing the frequency and degree of headache than western medicine and sham acupuncture.
2020 Neurology and Therapy
In many studies, acupuncture has been shown to be a safe, efficacious and readily available alternative therapy which may be beneficial to certain migraine patients.
2019 Pain Research & Management
Acupuncture has the advantage for acute and preventive treatment of migraine in pain improvement and safety.
2019 World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion
The results of this meta-analysis showed that acupuncture is more effective and safer than medication for migraine.
2019 Headache
There is growing evidence that acupuncture is just as effective and has fewer side effects than many of the standard pharmaceutical agents that are currently used.
2017 The Journal of Pain
Acupuncture has a clinically relevant effect on chronic pain that persists over time. Referral for acupuncture treatment is a reasonable option for chronic pain patients.
2016 Neural Regeneration Research
A 14-session course of needling at Fengchi is relatively safe for treating posterior circulation ischemia with vertigo.
2016 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
The available evidence suggests that a course of acupuncture consisting of at least six treatment sessions can be a valuable option for people with frequent tension-type headache.
2001 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
The existing evidence supports the value of acupuncture for the treatment of idiopathic headaches.
Seek personalised healthcare and advice
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you’ll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Research papers
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for headache & migraine.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2022, Jun 22
Acupuncture for Patients With Chronic Tension-Type Headache
Neurology American Academy of Neurology
The 8-week true acupuncture (TA) treatment was effective for the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH).
Zheng H, Gao T, Zheng QH, Lu LY, Hou TH, Zhang SS, Zhou SY, Hao XY, Wang L, Zhao L, Liang FR, Li Y Full Article
2022, Sept
Role of acupuncture in the treatment of migraine
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
The review suggests that acupuncture should be integrated into existing migraine therapy protocols.
Endres HG, Diener HC, Molsberger A Full Article
2021, Jan 15
A Randomized Clinical Trial on Acupuncture Versus Best Medical Therapy in Episodic Migraine Prophylaxis: The ACUMIGRAN Study
Frontiers in Neurology
Our trial is the first one comparing acupuncture with the more appropriate pharmacological treatment for migraine prophylaxis. Data suggested that acupuncture could be adopted as migraine prophylaxis and seem to be slightly superior to pharmacological treatment in compliance and rate of adverse events.
Giannini G, Favoni V, Merli E, Nicodemo M, Torelli P, Matrà A, Giovanardi CM, Cortelli P, Pierangeli G, Cevoli S Full Article
2020, Mar 23
Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Migraine: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Pain Research & Management
We found high quality of evidence indicated that the effective rate of acupuncture was superior to western medicine in treatment of migraine. Besides, acupuncture reduced more headache days and the times of using painkiller and was more effective in reducing the frequency and degree of headache than western medicine and sham acupuncture. Based on high quality of evidence, we concluded that acupuncture may be an effective and safe therapy for migraine.
Li YX, Xiao XL, Zhong DL, Luo LJ, Yang H, Zhou J, He MX, Shi LH, Li J, Zheng H, Jin RJ Full Article
2020, Oct 1
Acupuncture and Its Role in the Treatment of Migraine Headaches
Neurology and Therapy
The current research analysis revealed that 41% of patients who received acupuncture had a reduction in migraine frequency. Results found that 57% of patients who received true acupuncture had a reduction in migraine frequency by at least half compared with 46% who received medication. Overall, acupuncture helped improve quality of life and reduction in medication
Urits I, Patel M, Putz ME, Monteferrante NR, Nguyen D, An D, Cornett EM, Hasoon J, Kaye AD, Viswanath O. Full Article
2019, Oct 29
An Overview of Systematic Reviews of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture Treating Migraine
Pain Research & Management
We found that acupuncture on treating migraine has the advantage for pain improvement and safety, but the quality of SR/MAs of acupuncture for migraine remains to be improved.
Xia-tian Zhang, Xin-yi Li, Chen Zhao, Ye-yin Hu, Yi-yi Lin, He-qing Chen, Zhao-feng Shi, Xiao-yu Zhang, Hong-cai Shang, Gui-hua Tian Full Article
2019, Mar
Acupuncture for migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis
World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies
The results of this meta-analysis showed that acupuncture is more effective and safer than medication for migraine. Patients in acupuncture group found acupuncture to be better than medication for migraine treatment and prophylaxis
SHEN, Feng-jiao AU - XU, Jia AU - ZHAN, Yi-jun AU - FU, Qin-hui AU - PEI, Jian PY Full Article
2019, Dec 24
Systematic Review: Acupuncture vs Standard Pharmacological Therapy for Migraine Prevention
Headache American Headache Society
This systematic review of randomised controlled trials articles showed that acupuncture is just as effective for treating migraine. It also has fewer side effects than many of the standard modern pharmaceutical agents. Patients also reported to use less pharmacological drugs after treatments.
Niushen Zhang, Tim Houle, Nada Hindiyeh, & Sheena K. Aurora Full Article
2017, Nov 30
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
The Journal of Pain American Pain Society
Acupuncture has a clinically relevant effect on chronic pain that persists over time. The effect of acupuncture cannot be explained only by placebo effects. Factors in addition to the specific effects of needling are important contributors. Referral for acupuncture treatment is a reasonable option for chronic pain patients.
Vickers, Andrew J. et al. Full Article
2016, Sept 6
Safety of different acupuncture manipulations for posterior circulation ischemia with vertigo
Neural Regeneration Research
Our results indicate that a 14-session course of needling at Fengchi is relatively safe for treating posterior circulation ischemia with vertigo.
Wen Y, Zhang C, Zhao Xf, Deng Sz, He S, Huang Lh, Tian G, Meng Zh Full Article
2016, Apr 19
Acupuncture for the prevention of tension‐type headache
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane
The available results suggest that acupuncture is effective for treating frequent episodic or chronic tension‐type headaches. Patients in acupuncture group reported to have at least 50% reduction of headache frequency compared to placebo group.
Klaus Linde,Gianni Allais,Benno Brinkhaus, Yutong Fei,Michael Mehring,Byung‐Cheul Shin,Andrew Vickers,Adrian R White Full Article
2001, Jan 22
Acupuncture for idiopathic headache
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane
Overall, the existing evidence supports the value of acupuncture for the treatment of idiopathic headaches.
Melchart D, Linde K, Berman B, White A, Vickers A, Allais G, Brinkhaus B Full Article
It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.