Conditions Treated: Migraine and Chronic Headache
Migraine is not an ordinary headache. It is a neurological condition, and an attack can last anywhere from
a few hours to several days. We treat migraine and chronic headache at our East Village clinic, and have done since 2016.
What we treat:
Severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. Nausea and vomiting. Extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Visual disturbances during the aura phase that precedes an attack. The exhaustion of the recovery period afterwards. We also treat tension headaches, cluster headaches, and chronic daily headaches, which respond differently and are assessed separately.
How Chinese Medicine understands Migraines:
Western medicine manages migraine largely through medication, using triptans and anti-inflammatories during an attack and preventive drugs to reduce how often attacks come. Those treatments can bring real relief, and many of our patients continue them. Chinese medicine approaches the problem from a different angle. Migraine is understood as a disruption in the flow of blood and qi, often through the liver and gallbladder meridians, and brought on by emotional stress, diet, or environmental factors. Depending on how your symptoms present, your practitioner may identify a pattern such as Liver Yang Rising, Liver Qi Stagnation, or Blood Deficiency. The pattern determines the points used, which is why two people with migraine are rarely treated identically.
How acupuncture treats this:
Treatment usually combines acupuncture with dietary guidance, and often a Chinese herbal formula. The aim is to improve circulation, calm the nervous system, and reduce how frequently attacks arrive, rather than only easing pain once one has started. Because migraine is episodic, we pay attention to what triggers yours. Stress, particular foods, hormonal changes, and poor sleep are the common ones, and identifying your pattern is part of the treatment rather than separate from it. We often notice a correlation between migraines and the menstrual cycle so often we work at regulating both of these things together.
What to expect on your first visit:
Your acupuncturist begins with an intake covering your headache history, your triggers, your sleep, and any medication you take. It is completely fine to come in for acupuncture during a migraine attack but not at all necessary. With acupuncture we are treating the underlying issues that cause migraines rather than the actual migraines themselves. If you keep a journal of your migraines bring it in, it is helpful to have an idea of what makes the migraines better and worse, where and when exactly they occur. Needles are inserted in the appropriate acu points and then you are left to rest. When booking a 45-minute session allow an hour at the clinic.
What it costs:
Acupuncture is $85, or $75 for students and seniors. A herbal consult is $85, or $105 combined with acupuncture. Herbal consult prices do not include the cost of the herbs themselves. Students and seniors with valid ID may book Tuesday to Friday before 2pm.
Which practitioner should I book with:
All of our acupuncturists have experience treating migraines. We would recommend getting started with whoever works best with your schedule. You can also have a look at our practitioners bios.
Common Questions:
How many sessions will I need?
This varies a bit from person to person depending on the type and severity of symptoms and how long they have been occurring. A general rule of thumb is that the longer that you have been having migraines for the more time it will take to resolve them.
Can I keep taking my migraine medication?
Yes, you can and should continue taking your migraine medication while you are receiving acupuncture treatments but please let your practitioner know what you are taking and how often.
Does acupuncture reduce how often I get them, or just the pain?
Our goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of the migraines. This can be a bit of a process. Some patients notice the migraines decreasing in severity before they decrease in frequency, while some patients notice a decrease in frequency before they decrease in severity.
Do you take insurance?
We are not in network with any insurance companies but will provide a superbill upon request. You may also use your HSA/FSA to pay for your sessions.
Finding us:
We are at 155 East 2nd Street in the East Village, a short walk from Union Square, the Lower East Side and Soho. Our closest subway stations are the 2nd avenue F train (exit at 1st avenue), and the JMZ trains at Essex Street/Delancey. We are open seven days a week, with morning
appointments Tuesday through Thursday from 9am.
Book a session or call 212-777-4486 if you would like to discuss first.
