Acupuncture for Back Pain, Neck Pain, and Migraines

Living with chronic pain-whether it’s an aching back, a tight neck, or recurring migraines-can quietly affect every area of your life. It disrupts your sleep, clouds your focus, and holds you back from the activities you love. Many people spend years searching for something that brings meaningful and lasting relief.

One therapy continues to gain recognition for its gentle yet effective results: acupuncture. At Blueroot Health, we’ve seen how acupuncture helps people manage chronic pain in a way that feels restorative, sustainable, and deeply healing.

If you’re dealing with persistent back pain, posture-related neck tension, or debilitating migraines, acupuncture may offer the relief you’ve been looking for.

How acupuncture works to ease pain

Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and has been practised for thousands of years. It works by stimulating specific points on the body-mapped along energy pathways called meridians-using ultra-fine needles. This encourages the body’s natural healing abilities by improving qi (energy) flow and supporting overall balance.

Modern research also shows how acupuncture influences the body:
• calming pain signals in the nervous system
• improving circulation to affected areas
• triggering the release of endorphins
• reducing inflammation, a major source of chronic pain

Acupuncture stands at the intersection of ancient wisdom and contemporary science, making it an increasingly trusted option for pain relief.

Acupuncture for chronic back pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek acupuncture. Studies continue to show that acupuncture can lead to meaningful and lasting reductions in chronic back pain by relaxing tight muscles, easing inflammation, and reducing pain-signal activity.

Over time, this helps:
• restore mobility
• improve posture
• reduce reliance on pain medication
• address underlying patterns contributing to pain

At Blueroot Health, we consider posture, stress levels and lifestyle habits when creating a personalised plan to support your healing.

Finding relief for neck pain and “tech neck”

Long hours at the computer, constant phone use, and shoulder tension can all contribute to chronic neck pain. Many people now deal with what’s often called “tech neck”-a combination of muscle tightness, joint strain, and nerve irritation in the upper back and cervical spine.

Clinical evidence shows that acupuncture can produce durable improvements in chronic neck pain. You can read more here: Durable effects of acupuncture for chronic neck pain.

By targeting key points around the neck and shoulders, acupuncture helps:
• release chronically tight muscles
• reduce inflammation
• ease nerve irritation
• support natural posture

Pairing acupuncture with massage therapy or breathwork can enhance results, supporting both physical tension release and nervous-system regulation.

Migraines and tension headaches: a different kind of relief

Migraines can disrupt your life for hours or even days, often bringing nausea, sensitivity to light, and neurological symptoms. Tension headaches may be milder, but they still take a toll.

While medication may ease symptoms, it often doesn’t address root causes. Acupuncture can help bridge that gap.

How acupuncture helps migraines

Research shows acupuncture can reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines over time. You can read more here: Systematic review of acupuncture’s therapeutic effects on migraines.

Acupuncture supports migraine relief by:
• regulating nervous-system activity
• improving blood flow to the head and neck
• addressing muscular tension
• supporting hormonal balance

Tension headaches and stress

Tension headaches often begin in tight muscles around the jaw, neck and shoulders. By helping the body relax and interrupting stress patterns, acupuncture can reduce the triggers that commonly lead to these headaches.

Further commentary on acupuncture’s role in cervical and head pain can be found here:
Acupuncture for neck pain: current evidence and challenges.

A holistic approach to chronic pain

At Blueroot Health, we believe pain is not just a symptom-it’s a form of communication. Your practitioner will look at your full health picture, including sleep, digestion, hormones, posture and stress. This allows us to create a care plan that supports long-term healing rather than short-term relief.

Together we explore questions like:
• When did your pain begin?
• What activities or patterns make it better or worse?
• How do lifestyle factors influence your discomfort?
• What does your body need to restore balance?

Pain doesn’t always require pushing harder-it often requires listening more deeply.

What to expect during your acupuncture sessions

Your first visit begins with a conversation about your history, symptoms and goals. This ensures your treatment plan reflects your needs.

Once you’re comfortable on the treatment table, your practitioner will place ultra-thin needles at carefully selected points. Most people feel little more than a light tap, followed by warmth or gentle tingling. Many find the experience deeply relaxing.

Sessions generally last around 45 minutes. Depending on your condition, we may recommend a short course of regular treatments followed by occasional maintenance sessions.

Clients often leave feeling as though they’ve had a restorative, meditative rest.

Reclaim your wellbeing

Chronic pain affects far more than the body-it influences your mood, energy and outlook. Acupuncture offers a gentle but powerful path back to comfort, balance and ease.

If you’re ready to explore acupuncture as a path toward long-term pain relief, we’re here to guide you.

Visit our acupuncture services page or book a consultation with our team.
Your journey toward lasting relief starts here.

Sources

• Zhang, Y., et al. (2024). Durable effect of acupuncture for chronic neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Practice. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38856887/

• Li, X., et al. (2020). Therapeutic effect of acupuncture for migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Research & Management. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7344239/

• Yu, J., & Li, N. (2024). Acupuncture for neck pain: Current evidence and challenges. Longhua Chinese Medicine. https://lcm.amegroups.org/article/view/8781/html