Not all headaches are the same headache. A tension headache that builds through a stressful week, a migraine with nausea and light sensitivity, a headache that only shows up at the back of the skull after a bad night's sleep — they call for different treatment, even though "headache" is the word used for all of them.
Part of a first session is working out which kind I'm actually looking at: where the pain sits, what brings it on, whether it gets better or worse with gentle pressure. That last one matters more than people expect — it tells me whether the area needs to be cleared or supported, which changes the whole approach.
Why shoulders are often part of the treatment
A lot of headaches, particularly the ones that build through the day, are connected to tension carried in the neck and shoulders. When that's the case, treating the head alone misses the source. Acupuncture and moxibustion through the shoulders and upper back are often part of the plan, even though that's not where the pain is being felt.
What treatment looks like
Needling is targeted to the specific pattern I'm seeing, not a fixed set of points used for every headache. Some respond well to very light, gentle work; others need a firmer approach. Getting that distinction right is most of what makes treatment effective.
What to expect
If you get headaches or migraines often enough that they're shaping your week, it's worth a proper look at what's actually driving them rather than just managing the next one as it comes. I'll talk you through what I'm seeing and what a reasonable course of treatment looks like before we start.
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