Acupuncture for migraines and chronic headaches
Care aimed at fewer, milder headache days, alongside your doctor's treatment. I look at the nerves, neck, jaw, sleep, and triggers that feed your headaches.
Jason Rinker, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. · Practicing since 1999 · Columbia, PA
When headaches run your calendar
Migraines take more than the hours you spend in a dark room. There's the worry about the next one, the plans you cancel, and the medicine you try not to take too often.
Many people come to me after trying several medications, or because they want another option alongside them.
- Migraine, with or without aura
- Tension-type headaches
- Headaches that start in the neck
- Headaches linked to jaw clenching or TMJ
- Hormonal or menstrual migraines
- Headaches after a concussion
If this sounds like you, let's take a look.
Book online, or call or text me with a question first.
How I approach headaches
Headaches involve the nerves of the head and neck, the muscles around them, and how your nervous system handles stress and sleep. I look at all of it.
Treatment usually combines acupuncture at points on the head, neck, and body, often with electroacupuncture, and hands-on work for tight neck and jaw muscles.
- Your history
- Where it hurts, how long it's been going on, any injuries or surgeries, and what you've already tried.
- Your headache pattern
- How often they come, how long they last, warning signs, and what seems to set them off.
- Neck and jaw
- Tension and tender points in the neck, shoulders, and jaw that can feed headaches.
- Sleep and stress
- How you're sleeping and how much you're carrying, because both affect how often headaches come.
- Your medications
- What you take to prevent or stop headaches. I never change your medications.
Your first appointment
If you keep a headache diary, bring it. It helps us see your pattern.
We talk first
We sit down and go through what's bothering you, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you've already tried.
I look at how you move
I check your movement, where it's tender, and how your nerves and muscles respond, so treatment matches what's actually going on.
Treatment and a plan
Then I treat, often with electroacupuncture. Before you leave, I'll tell you what I found and suggest how often to come in.
Planning around your headaches
Prevention takes a steady run of visits, then less often as things improve.
- A first course
- Research on migraine prevention used at least six sessions, so we plan for a steady start.
- Tracking change
- We compare headache days and severity over time, not just how you feel on the day.
- Spacing out
- When headaches ease, we space visits out and keep an eye on your triggers.
- Alongside your doctor
- I work alongside your doctor or neurologist and their treatment plan.
What the research shows about acupuncture for migraines
Here is what published studies have found, in plain language. The sources are listed below if you'd like to read them.
Fewer headache days
- A Cochrane review of 22 trials with nearly 5,000 people found headache frequency at least halved in 41% of people who had acupuncture, compared with 17% of people who didn't.
Compared with preventive medicine
- The same review found acupuncture appeared to work at least as well as preventive migraine medicine, with fewer side effects.
Chronic headache
- An analysis of 39 trials with more than 20,000 patients found acupuncture eased back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, and shoulder pain more than sham or no acupuncture.
- The same analysis found that most of the benefit was still there a year later.
Studies vary in size and quality, and everyone responds differently. I'll always tell you honestly what I think acupuncture can do for you.
Care from Jason Rinker
I'm Jason Rinker. I'm a licensed acupuncturist and a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and I've practiced since 1999. Much of my work is orthopedic and neurological care: pain, injuries, and nerve problems.
Every visit is with me from start to finish. I explain what I'm doing and why, and I adjust the plan as you change.
We treat the nervous system, not just symptoms. The goal is to help you move, sleep, and work with less pain.
- L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist
- Dipl. O.M., Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- Practicing since 1999
- Private practice in Columbia, PA
Questions people ask me
Let's work on fewer headache days
Book your first visit online, or call or text me if you'd like to ask a question first.