Acupuncture for headaches is a gentle, effective treatment that involves placing very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to relieve tension, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system.

At our clinic, treatment is based on a Western medical approach, using techniques supported by current research and clinical evidence. We also draw on the most effective principles from traditional Chinese acupuncture, combining both methods to achieve the best possible results for each individual.

This integrated approach helps reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines, relax tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, and support your body’s natural ability not just to mask the pain, but to heal and help prevent headaches from returning.

Acupuncture can be effective for a wide range of headaches, especially tension-type headaches and migraines. These are often linked to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, stress, or changes in blood flow — all of which acupuncture can help to regulate.

Treatment can also help people who experience chronic daily headaches, stress-related headaches, or postural tension from long hours at a desk or looking at screens.

For migraines, acupuncture can help by reducing the sensitivity of pain pathways in the brain and stabilising blood flow to the head. Regular treatment often helps to lessen both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, as well as reducing associated symptoms such as nausea, visual disturbance, or light sensitivity.

By improving circulation, reducing muscle tightness, and calming overactive nerve pathways, acupuncture helps to ease pain, lower the frequency of attacks, and make headaches less severe over time. Many patients also find they feel calmer, sleep better, and experience fewer flare-ups once regular treatment begins.

Your first visit is all about understanding your headaches and identifying what might be triggering them. We’ll start with a friendly chat about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and any patterns you’ve noticed — such as stress, posture, or sleep quality. This helps us tailor your treatment specifically to you.

Next, your practitioner will carry out a gentle assessment, which may include checking the muscles around your neck, shoulders, and upper back, as these areas often play a key role in tension and migraine headaches. You’ll then relax comfortably while fine, sterile needles are placed in specific points on the body — often in the hands, feet, or shoulders, as well as around the head and neck.

Once the needles are in place, you’ll rest quietly for around 20–30 minutes. Most people find this part deeply relaxing — it’s common to feel calm, heavy-limbed, or even drift off to sleep. Afterwards, we’ll discuss what to expect next and, if needed, suggest follow-up sessions or simple lifestyle advice to help maintain your progress.

Most people are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable acupuncture feels. The needles used are extremely fine — around ten times thinner than a medical syringe — and are inserted very gently just under the surface of the skin.

You may feel a brief, mild sensation such as tingling, warmth, or a dull ache when the needles are placed, but this usually fades within seconds. Many patients describe the experience as deeply relaxing, and some even fall asleep during treatment.

Acupuncture should never be painful. If you ever feel any discomfort, just let your practitioner know — the needles can be adjusted immediately. Your comfort and relaxation are always the priority.

Yes — acupuncture is very safe when carried out by a qualified practitioner. All needles used are single-use, sterile, and disposed of immediately after your session.

Your treatment is based on a Western medical approach, supported by current research and clinical evidence, and combined with the most effective techniques from traditional Chinese acupuncture. This ensures a safe, modern, and well-rounded approach to treating headaches and migraines.

Mark is trained in the gold-standard medical acupuncture programme run by the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) and is fully registered with them. This accreditation ensures the highest level of clinical safety, professionalism, and evidence-based practice.

Before any treatment begins, we’ll take a full case history and carry out an assessment to make sure acupuncture is suitable for you. Certain points or techniques may not be appropriate for everyone, and whenever that’s the case, it will always be explained clearly beforehand.

If at any point something doesn’t feel right, just let your practitioner know — needles can be adjusted or removed immediately. Your comfort, safety, and wellbeing will always come first.

The number of sessions you’ll need depends on the type of headache you experience, how long you’ve had it, and any underlying factors such as posture or stress. Many people notice an improvement after one to three sessions, especially with tension-type headaches.

For migraines or longer-term, recurring headaches, a short course of four to six weekly treatments is often the most effective approach. This allows us to calm the nervous system, release long-standing muscle tension, and reduce the frequency and intensity of your symptoms over time.

Acupuncture can also help address other health issues that may be contributing to your headaches, such as sinus congestion, allergies, jaw tension, stress, or poor sleep. By treating the wider picture, we can often reduce both the frequency of your headaches and the triggers that cause them.

At your first appointment, you’ll receive a clear treatment plan and an honest indication of how many sessions are likely to help. As your symptoms improve, your sessions will become less frequent, with the aim of achieving lasting relief while using the minimum amount of treatment necessary.

Most people feel calm, relaxed, and often noticeably lighter after an acupuncture session. It’s common to experience a sense of reduced tension in the neck, shoulders, or jaw — areas that frequently contribute to headaches and migraines.

Some people may feel a little tired, heavy, or zoned-out for a short time afterwards. This is perfectly normal and usually settles within a few hours. Occasionally you might experience very mild redness or slight bruising at a needle site, but this is harmless and should fade quickly.

Many patients notice an improvement in their headache symptoms within the first few sessions, especially a reduction in muscle tightness, the frequency of headaches, or the intensity of migraine pain. For others, the benefits build gradually over a short course of treatment as the nervous system begins to regulate and the trigger points release.

You’ll also be given advice on how to support your progress between sessions — such as posture tips, breathing techniques, or ways to reduce stress-related tension.

It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your arms, legs, shoulders, and upper back. For most treatments, you’ll simply need to roll up your sleeves or trouser legs, and we can work around your clothing without any problem.

Because headaches and migraines are often linked to tension in the neck and shoulders, we may need access to these areas. If so, you might be asked to remove a top layer of clothing, but you will always be given privacy to change, and you’ll be covered with a towel or blanket so you feel warm, comfortable, and fully respected at all times.

Many patients choose to wear a vest top, loose T-shirt, or sports-style clothing to make things easier — but whatever you’re comfortable in is absolutely fine.