Migraines and tension headaches: acupuncture in Mississauga

A pressing band around the head, a throbbing pain behind one eye, or a migraine that shuts down a whole day. A headache that keeps coming back usually has triggers, and they can be worked on.

What types of headache do you see?

• Tension-type headaches. A steady pressing or tight feeling, often on both sides, frequently linked to tight neck and shoulder muscles, posture and stress.
• Migraines. Throbbing pain, often on one side, that can come with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes a visual aura beforehand.
• Headaches from the neck. Pain that starts at the base of the skull and spreads forward. These often overlap with neck pain.
• Jaw-related headaches. Clenching and grinding can cause pain at the temples. Our article on TMJ problems covers this.

Cluster headaches and headaches from sinus infections, dehydration or medication overuse also exist. Part of the assessment is working out which type you have, because it changes the plan.

What triggers headaches?

Many headaches have more than one trigger. The ones we hear about most are changes in sleep, stress, long hours at a screen, poor posture, skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, nicotine, weather changes and, for some women, the menstrual cycle. Frequent use of pain relievers can also lead to rebound headaches, which is worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist.

What does the assessment look at?

At your first visit Dalibor asks about the pattern: where the pain sits, what it feels like, how often it comes, how long it lasts, what helps, and what medications you take. If you keep a headache diary, bring it. Dalibor also checks your neck, shoulders and jaw for tension and restricted movement.

As part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment, Dalibor takes your pulse. In TCM, headaches are grouped by pattern, for example those linked to tension and stress, to poor sleep and fatigue, or to digestion, and the treatment points follow the pattern.

How does acupuncture for headaches work?

Acupuncture uses very thin, sterile, single-use needles. For headaches, points are commonly used in the neck, shoulders and scalp, along with points on the hands and feet. Treatment is thought to work in several ways: easing tight muscles and trigger points in the neck, prompting the release of endorphins, changing blood flow in the head and neck, and helping the nervous system settle out of a stressed state. Research on acupuncture for tension headaches and for migraine prevention has grown over the past two decades, and responses vary from person to person.

When neck tension is a large part of the picture, Dalibor may add mild electrical stimulation to some needles (electro-acupuncture). It feels like a gentle tapping and is kept at a comfortable level.

How many acupuncture treatments will I need?

There's no fixed number. It depends on your condition and how your body responds. We start with an initial series of three treatments. This shows us how quickly your body responds and helps us set the right treatment frequency for you.

Acupuncture works cumulatively, with each session building on the last. For musculoskeletal concerns, most of our patients follow a one-month care plan:

• Weeks 1–2: 2–3 treatments per week
• Weeks 3–4: 2 treatments per week

That's typically 8–10 visits in the first month. After that, we reassess your progress and adjust your plan.

What can I do between visits?

• Keep a simple headache diary so you and Dalibor can see patterns.
• Keep regular sleep and meal times, including on weekends.
• Drink water through the day and notice the effect of alcohol and caffeine.
• Take short screen breaks and check that your monitor sits at eye level.
• Build in something that lowers stress for you, even ten minutes a day. Our page on stress and anxiety has more on this.

"I haven't had a migraine since we started"

Mira had migraines from her teens. Not headaches. Migraines, with vertigo and weakness alongside them. "It definitely affected everything. My work, because the light was bothering me. Daylight was bothering me."

She has been coming for a year. "I haven't had a migraine since we started." She still gets the occasional headache, and she's precise about the difference: "Nothing bad. But they're not migraines any more."

Chinese herbs were part of her plan, and they helped with something she hadn't come in about: "The herbs helped me with my appetite too, with my stomach issues that I have. And I also changed up my diet." Asked what had changed overall: "Huge. Living without migraines, to me, that's huge. And overall health, I have more energy."

She was frightened of needles before she came, and says so plainly: "Needles, I'm scared too. Going for blood work, I'm scared. And yes, I was scared coming. But it's nothing. It's really nothing. It's a little pinch."

This is Mira's experience in her own words. Migraines vary a great deal, and we can't promise the same results.

When should I see a doctor instead?

Call 911 or go to an emergency department for a sudden, severe headache that feels like the worst of your life, or a headache with weakness, numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision loss, a fever with stiff neck, or after a head injury. See your doctor promptly if headaches are new after age 50, change pattern, get steadily worse, wake you from sleep, or come with pregnancy. Once your doctor has ruled out other causes, acupuncture can be part of your plan.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture with sterile single-use needles is generally low-risk when performed by a registered practitioner. Minor bruising or brief tiredness after treatment can happen. Please tell us about any medications, especially blood thinners, and whether you are or might be pregnant.

What does it cost, and is it covered?

Your first visit is an initial examination ($110, about 60 minutes) followed by your first acupuncture treatment ($120), about 1 hour 15 minutes in total. Many extended health plans cover a Registered TCM Practitioner; check your plan. See fees and insurance. The clinic is at Unit 229, 1550 Enterprise Road in Mississauga, with free parking, about 20 minutes from Etobicoke via the 427 and 401.

If headaches are getting in the way of your week, you can book a first visit online or call 647-342-2281.

Common questions

Can acupuncture help migraines?

Acupuncture is widely used to reduce how often migraines happen, and several medical guidelines include it as an option for preventing them. Treatment aims at fewer and milder headaches over time, not only at stopping one attack. Responses vary from person to person.

Is acupuncture used for tension headaches too?

Yes. Tension headaches often start with tight neck and shoulder muscles, stress and poor sleep. Treatment works on all three.

Should I keep a headache diary?

Yes, please. Note the date, how long each headache lasted, how strong it was, what medication you took, and what you ate, slept and did that day. It helps Dalibor find your triggers and shows both of you whether treatment is making a difference.

Should I come in during a headache or between them?

Either is fine. Treatment during a headache aims to ease that episode, while regular treatment between headaches aims to reduce how often and how strongly they come. Most of the work is done between episodes. If a migraine makes travel unsafe, reschedule and let us know.

Can I keep taking my migraine medication?

Yes. Acupuncture works alongside the treatment your doctor has prescribed. Please don't change or stop medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Does acupuncture help with headaches that start in the neck?

Headaches linked to tight neck and shoulder muscles are among the ones people most often come in for. Treatment usually includes points in the neck and upper back. See also our page on neck pain.

When should I see a doctor about a headache?

Right away for a sudden "worst ever" headache, a headache after a head injury, or one with confusion, weakness, trouble speaking or vision loss.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Acupuncture works alongside the care you get from your family doctor. If your symptoms are new, severe or getting worse, see your doctor first.