Acupuncture for Tension Headaches in Fargo
Headaches are one of the most common health concerns today, and tension headaches are the most widespread type. If you’ve ever felt a dull, pressing pain wrap around your forehead, temples, or the back of your head—like a tight band squeezing—you’ve experienced a tension headache.
These headaches can last for hours or even days, interfering with concentration, sleep, productivity, and overall quality of life. For many people, over-the-counter pain relievers provide temporary relief, but the headaches keep coming back.
At Jenny Lea L.Ac in Fargo, I help patients find lasting relief from tension headaches using the time-tested methods of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. My approach doesn’t just mask symptoms—it works to identify and treat the underlying patterns that create chronic headaches in the first place.
Understanding Tension Headaches
What They Feel Like
Tension headaches are typically described as:
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A dull, aching pressure or tightness on both sides of the head
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Pain that wraps around the head like a band
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Tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, or jaw
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Headaches that often worsen with stress, fatigue, or long hours at a desk
They differ from migraines, which are usually one-sided, throbbing, and may include nausea or sensitivity to light.
What Causes Them
From a Western perspective, tension headaches are often triggered by:
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Stress and anxiety – causing muscles in the neck and shoulders to tighten
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Poor posture – especially long hours at a computer or phone
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Sleep issues – lack of restorative rest makes the body more prone to pain
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Eye strain – from screens, reading, or poor lighting
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Muscle imbalance – tight fascia and muscles restricting circulation
How Chinese Medicine Sees Tension Headaches
In Chinese medicine, pain is usually a sign that circulation of Qi (vital energy) and Blood has become blocked or unbalanced.
For tension headaches, this “stagnation” is often felt in the muscles and connective tissues around the neck, shoulders, and scalp.
Common Chinese medicine patterns for tension headaches include:
• Liver Qi stagnation – stress, irritability, and tight muscles contributing to headache
•. Qi and Blood deficiency – overwork, fatigue, or poor digestion leading to weakness and pain
• Wind invasion – external factors (like seasonal weather shifts) triggering tension and headaches
•. Blood stasis – old injuries, chronic tension, or poor circulation causing fixed, dull pain
The goal of acupuncture is to identify which of these patterns (or combination of patterns) is present in your unique case, and then create a treatment plan tailored to you.
What an Acupuncture Treatment Looks Like
When you visit my clinic in Fargo, your first session will last about 75 minutes.
We’ll start with a detailed consultation where I listen to your health history, daily habits, and current concerns. Together, we’ll uncover the patterns that are contributing to your headaches.
Then, very fine, hair-thin acupuncture needles are placed in specific points on the body. For tension headaches, points may be chosen on the head, neck, shoulders, hands, and feet. These points work together to:
• Release tight muscles
•. Improve circulation to the head and neck
•. Calm the nervous systemRestore balance to the body’s energy
• Once the needles are in place, you’ll rest quietly for about 20–30 minutes. This deep rest is a vital part of the treatment,
allowing your body to shift into the parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode where healing can occur.
Patients are often surprised at how relaxing acupuncture feels. Many describe leaving the clinic with not just less pain, but also a lighter mood and clearer mind.
Adjunct Therapies for Tension Headaches
In addition to acupuncture, I may use supportive therapies when they are indicated:
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Cupping – glass cups create gentle suction to release tight fascia and improve circulation.
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Gua Sha – a smooth porcelain tool glides over the skin to ease muscle tightness.
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Moxibustion (moxa) – warming herbal ointment and heat applied to points that need circulation.
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Myofascial meridian work – light pressure and holding techniques to soften fascial planes.
These therapies are included in your session when they are appropriate for your condition.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Tension Headaches
Patients who come for tension headaches often experience benefits that extend beyond just headache relief. These may include:
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Reduced headache frequency and intensity – headaches become less disruptive over time
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Relaxed muscles – less neck, jaw, and shoulder tightness
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Improved sleep quality – fewer nighttime wake-ups and deeper rest
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Lower stress and anxiety levels – feeling calmer and more resilient
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Better focus and productivity – less mental fog and fatigue
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Overall improved wellbeing – because acupuncture works on the whole system, not just the pain
Scientific Support
Modern research has confirmed what Chinese medicine has practiced for centuries: acupuncture is an effective treatment for tension headaches.
Studies show that acupuncture can:
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Reduce the frequency of tension-type headaches
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Decrease the severity of pain
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Improve quality of life and reduce reliance on pain medication
One systematic review published in the Cochrane Database found that acupuncture was associated with fewer headaches and less pain compared to no treatment or routine care.
My Approach 🕵️♀️
With 23 years of experience in natural medicine—including massage therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, and acupuncture—I bring a comprehensive perspective to treating headaches. I see each patient as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.
At my Fargo clinic, I offer structured acupuncture programs designed to create lasting results. For tension headaches, I often recommend starting with a series of 5 or 10 sessions. This allows us to break the cycle of chronic pain while also supporting your body’s deeper healing processes.
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5-session program – focused, short-term relief for acute or recurring headaches
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10-session program – comprehensive care for chronic headaches and stress patterns
After completing a program, patients can transition to a Follow-Up File plan to maintain their progress and prevent headaches from returning.
A Natural Path to Relief
If tension headaches are interfering with your work, relationships, or daily enjoyment of life, acupuncture can offer a gentle yet powerful path to relief. By addressing both the immediate pain and the underlying imbalances, you’ll not only experience fewer headaches but also improved overall health.
📍 Location: 4711 45th St S, Unit 104, Fargo, ND
👉 Ready to feel better? Book Now to schedule your first appointment and discover how acupuncture can help you live headache-free.
