Q Does acupuncture really work for headaches? How does it compare to taking painkillers?
A Yes, acupuncture is a treatment recognized by standard clinical practice guidelines for both tension-type headache and migraine. It can be combined with painkillers or used preventively to reduce the frequency of attacks.
Detailed Answer
According to the Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines, acupuncture shows significant effects in both reducing the frequency of headache attacks and easing pain intensity. It is especially helpful for preventing chronification and for escaping medication-overuse headache (MOH), so over the long term it can also reduce the amount of painkillers needed.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Rather than suppressing pain on the spot with painkillers, the Dongjedang Head & Face Clinic focuses on addressing the body's root cause so that headaches do not return. The core is circulation treatment that releases the stiff neck and shoulders to increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. We first identify the headache pattern (Liver-yang, phlegm-rheum, blood stasis, or qi-and-blood deficiency type) and then tailor the acupuncture points individually. Typically, after 4-6 weeks of treatment at 2-3 sessions per week, we reassess the changes.
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