Migraine
Migraine often brings throbbing pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light or sound, and nausea, and acupuncture may help by reducing how frequently and how strongly attacks occur.
Conditions ยท Migraines & Headaches
Acupuncture for Migraines & Headaches in Hollywood, FL
Acupuncture is a drug-free therapy that places hair-thin needles at specific points on the body, and for migraines and headaches it may reduce how often and how intensely they occur.
How acupuncture may help migraines and headaches
At Healing Point Wellness Clinic, Dr. Tsai offers gentle, drug-free acupuncture for people in Hollywood, FL who live with frequent migraines and headaches, and this page explains how it may help, the headache types we support, and when a headache needs a doctor.
Acupuncture may reduce how often and how intensely migraines and headaches occur because placing fine needles at specific points can calm overactive pain signaling and ease the muscle tension that often sets off an attack.
The approach is drug-free, so it can suit people who prefer fewer medications or who do not tolerate some headache drugs well.
Each treatment is gentle, and the points chosen are matched to your pattern of pain, your triggers, and your health history.
Relief tends to build over a course of sessions rather than after a single visit, and how much it helps varies from person to person.
Headache types we support
We support two common patterns of head pain, and some headaches still need a medical evaluation before acupuncture begins.
Tension headache
Tension headache feels like a tight band around the head and is often linked to stress and tight neck muscles, which acupuncture may ease by relaxing those muscles and calming the stress response.
When a headache needs a doctor
A new, sudden, or changing headache pattern should be checked by a physician first, because a headache can sometimes signal a condition that needs medical care.
Headaches and neck tension
Tight neck and shoulder muscles can trigger or worsen tension headaches, because strained muscles refer pain upward into the head and around the skull.
Easing that muscle tension is one reason acupuncture may lower how often these headaches appear.
If your headaches track closely with neck stiffness, our page on acupuncture for neck and shoulder pain covers that pattern in more detail.
What to expect
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Consultation and assessment
Your first visit starts with a consultation about your headache history, your triggers, and your health background, followed by a gentle acupuncture treatment.
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Session cadence
Most plans begin with a short course of weekly sessions, and the total number varies by person depending on how you respond.
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Treatment session
A typical session lasts about an hour, and you rest quietly while the needles are in place.
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Progress review
Many people notice changes gradually across several sessions rather than after the first one, so we review your progress as the course goes on.
Is it safe? When to see a doctor
Generally safe
Acupuncture performed by a licensed acupuncturist using single-use sterile needles is generally safe, with mild and short-lived side effects such as minor soreness or a small bruise.
Seek emergency care
Some headaches are medical emergencies, so call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away for the warning signs below.
Seek emergency care immediately for
- a sudden, severe, or worst-ever headache
- a headache with fever and a stiff neck
- a headache with weakness, confusion, vision loss, or trouble speaking
For any new or unexplained headache that does not fit your usual pattern, check with your physician before starting acupuncture.
Cost and insurance
Acupuncture costs vary by visit and by plan, so call us to check what applies to you.
Insurance is accepted at our clinic, and our cost and insurance page explains how coverage typically works so you can plan ahead.
Dr. Tsai portrait
Your acupuncturist: Dr. Tsai, Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Your care is provided by Dr. Tsai, a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Oriental Medicine at Healing Point Wellness Clinic in Hollywood, FL.
He takes a gentle, whole-person approach, and you can read more about his background and training on the about page.
Common questions about migraine and headache care
Frequently asked questions
Can acupuncture help migraines?
Acupuncture may help migraines by reducing how often and how intensely they occur, though how much it helps varies from person to person.
How many sessions will I need for headaches?
The number of sessions varies by person, and many plans start with a short course of weekly visits before the sessions are spaced further apart.
Is acupuncture for headaches drug-free?
Yes, acupuncture is drug-free, which can suit people who want to rely on fewer headache medications.
Does acupuncture for migraines hurt?
Most people feel little or nothing, because the needles are hair-thin, and gentle, non-needle options are available if you have needle-anxiety.
Can I use acupuncture alongside my current headache treatment?
Yes, acupuncture is often used alongside conventional care, and you should keep working with your physician on any prescribed treatment.
When should I see a doctor instead?
See a doctor first for any new, sudden, or worst-ever headache, or a headache with fever, a stiff neck, or neurological symptoms such as weakness or vision loss.
Book your visit
To see whether acupuncture can help your migraines and headaches, book a visit at Healing Point Wellness Clinic in Hollywood, FL. Call us to reserve a time, or book a consultation online.