Living with chronic headaches can have a big impact on many activities of daily living. Whether it’s the steady ache of tension headaches or the pain of intense migraines, this can negatively affect both your physical and mental health. While medications may provide some relief, there are also other holistic treatment approaches—such as acupuncture for chronic headaches—that can be helpful in decreasing their frequency and severity over time.
Understanding chronic headaches
Chronic headaches are defined as headaches that occur on 15 or more days per month, for at least three months. They may be tension-type headaches, migraines, or a combination of both. Triggers can include stress, insufficient sleep, postural strain, dehydration and diet to name a few. Chronic headaches don’t just affect your head—they often impact sleep, concentration, and your ability to enjoy daily activities.
Traditional treatments can offer some relief, but when headaches become frequent or persistent, it may be helpful to explore other complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, to help with long-term improvement.
How acupuncture may help relieve chronic headaches
Acupuncture is a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body. These points are believed to help regulate the body’s systems and promote energy flow. From a modern perspective, acupuncture may help support healing by stimulating the nervous system, increasing blood flow, and releasing natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins.
For individuals with chronic headaches, acupuncture may help by reducing muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, decreasing inflammation, and promoting relaxation. Combining acupuncture treatment with other healthy habits such as exercise, movement breaks and stress management, may be even more helpful in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches.
What to expect during an acupuncture session
At Beverly Physiotherapy, acupuncture may be offered to complement your physiotherapy treatment and sessions are tailored to your unique health needs and goals. Only a physiotherapist with a license in acupuncture can perform this treatment. Before having acupuncture, your physiotherapist will talk with you about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and any patterns you’ve noticed with your headaches. From there, a personalized plan is created to address both the root causes and the symptoms.
During treatment, you’ll rest comfortably while very thin, sterile needles are placed at targeted points which may include the head, neck, shoulders, hands, and feet. Most people describe the sensation as mild or even calming. If any points are uncomfortable, they can be adjusted or removed. Sessions typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, and many patients find that a sense of relaxation follows the treatment.
We also recognize that chronic headaches can stem from more than one source. That’s why acupuncture is combined with physiotherapy- to incorporate a wide variety of posture-focused movements and exercises. During your first acupuncture session, you can expect a calm and personalized experience tailored to your specific symptoms, goals, and health history—designed to help you feel both relaxed and supported in your journey toward relief.
A well-rounded, drug-free approach
One of the benefits of acupuncture is that it offers a non-pharmaceutical way to manage chronic headaches. For those looking to reduce reliance on medications or avoid their side effects, acupuncture can be a powerful part of a broader care plan. It works especially well when combined with other healthy habits—like postural exercises, improved sleep, stress reduction techniques, and ergonomic support at work or home.
At Beverly Physiotherapy, we take a whole-person approach to wellness. Our team is here to help you manage your headaches not just by relieving symptoms, but by identifying contributing factors and guiding you through personalized care that makes sense for your lifestyle.
No referral needed—get started today
You don’t need a doctor’s referral to begin physiotherapy and acupuncture at Beverly Physiotherapy. If you have private insurance or coverage through the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) or Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), we can help you understand your benefits and offer direct billing where available.
To start your journey toward fewer headaches and better balance, contact Beverly Physiotherapy to book your first appointment. Our clinic in Winnipeg’s West End has been helping people feel better and move better for over 30 years with services including physiotherapy, massage, and acupuncture.
