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ASCC, Acupuncture Science & Chiropractic Clinic, a division of Hua Health

Headaches

Can a chiropractor or acupuncture help with headaches?

Some headaches, especially tension headaches and ones that start in the neck, are treated with chiropractic care and acupuncture. Dr. Hua will ask about your headache pattern first to see whether that fits you.

Tension headaches often feel like a tight band around the head or a pressure at the base of the skull. They are often linked to tight neck and shoulder muscles.

Treatment may include gentle neck adjustments, soft tissue work on the upper back and neck, and acupuncture. You will be asked about how often headaches happen so you can both track changes.

Migraines and other headache types have different causes. Dr. Hua will tell you if he thinks you should see a medical doctor.

Evidence

What the research says about headaches

Sources reviewed October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice.

The evidence depends on the type of headache. It is strongest for acupuncture in tension-type headache and migraine prevention, and for manual care in headaches that start in the neck.

  1. 01

    Acupuncture for tension-type headache

    A 2016 Cochrane review of 12 trials found acupuncture reduced how often tension-type headaches happened, for people with frequent episodes. [1]

  2. 02

    Acupuncture for migraine prevention

    A 2016 Cochrane review of 22 trials found acupuncture reduced how often migraines happened, with results similar to preventive medication and fewer side effects. [2]

  3. 03

    Spinal manipulation for neck-related headaches

    A 2011 evidence-based guideline for chiropractors found support for spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache, which starts in the neck, and for migraine. Evidence for tension-type headache was less clear. [3]

Limits of the evidence

Headaches with sudden severe pain, confusion, weakness, vision loss, or fever with a stiff neck need emergency care, not chiropractic treatment.

Sources

  1. 1.Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016;4:CD007587.
  2. 2.Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016;6:CD001218.
  3. 3.Bryans R, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2011;34(5):274-289.

Questions patients ask

Which headaches need urgent care?
Get emergency care for the worst headache of your life, a headache after a head injury, or a headache with confusion, weakness, trouble speaking, vision loss, or fever with a stiff neck.
Should I keep a headache diary?
It helps. Note the date, how long it lasted, how strong it was, and what you were doing. Bring it to your first visit.
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