First consultation & intake (85 min)
Lily discusses your headache pattern: frequency, duration, triggers and medication use. Based on this, she draws up a personal treatment plan. You receive your first treatment right away.
Acupuncture & Migraine
Acupuncture for Headaches & Migraine in Amsterdam
Recurring migraine attacks affecting your work, family and social life? Lily Chen treats migraine and chronic headaches with traditional Chinese medicine — with the goal of fewer attacks, less pain, and more control over your life.
15+ years of experience
Covered by insurance
Zhong & S.C.A.G registered
Migraine & TCM
Why migraine keeps coming back — and what TCM does differently
From a Western perspective, migraine is a neurological condition with triggers that are difficult to control. From a TCM perspective, chronic headaches almost always have a pattern-based cause: rising Liver Yang (the most common pattern behind classic migraine), Liver Qi stagnation from prolonged stress, or blood deficiency that fails to nourish the brain.
Painkillers and triptans suppress the attack — acupuncture works on the underlying pattern. The goal isn't to stop a single attack, but to break the pattern so that attacks become less frequent and less intense.
The treatment
How acupuncture treats headaches and migraine
Reducing migraine attacks
Needles placed on gallbladder and liver points (GB20, GB14, LR3) calm the rising Liver Yang — the TCM pattern behind classic migraine. Many patients notice a drop in attack frequency and intensity after 4–6 treatments.
Tension headaches & neck pain
Neck tension is a direct trigger for many headache patients. Treating the neck and shoulder meridians relaxes the muscles, reduces pressure on the head and breaks the cycle of tension and pain.
Preventive effect
With regular treatment (once every 2–4 weeks), acupuncture works preventively: it recalibrates the nervous system and reduces sensitivity to triggers such as stress, hormonal fluctuations and weather changes.
Conditions
Which complaints do we treat?
Not sure whether acupuncture suits your complaint? Get in touch — Lily is happy to advise, free of obligation.
Your treatment plan
What to expect at Tianyi
Follow-up treatments (60 min)
Migraine typically requires 6–10 sessions. Most patients notice a drop in frequency or intensity after 3–4 treatments. Each session is adjusted based on your progress.
Combination where needed
When strong neck tension or stress are a trigger, Lily adds cupping or gua sha. This is always decided together with you.
Preventive maintenance
After the treatment plan, many migraine patients opt for monthly maintenance sessions to prevent relapse and keep attack frequency low.
Pricing
Treatment duration & cost
| Session | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| First visit (incl. consultation & treatment plan) | 85 min | €100 |
| Follow-up treatment | 60 min | €90 |
| Extended session | 90 min | €105 |
Add-ons: Add cupping · +€15 | Add gua sha · +€15
✓ Reimbursed by most Dutch supplementary insurance plans — Zhong NVTCG & S.C.A.G registered. Simply submit the invoice to your insurer after treatment. More about insurance →
Your practitioner
Lily van Wijngaarde-Chen
15+ years of clinical experience treating headaches and migraine
Specialised training under Dr. Cong Zhang — specialist in chronic pain
Zhong NVTCG & S.C.A.G registered
Years of experience treating migraine and chronic headaches
Reviews
What patients say about headache and migraine treatment
★★★★★ 4.9
★★★★★
"I used to get migraines every week. After eight treatments with Lily, my attacks have dropped to just one a month. I should have done this years ago."
★★★★★
"My tension headaches used to be there every day. Acupuncture has reduced them drastically. Lily gets to the root of the problem."
★★★★★
"I was sceptical, but the combination of acupuncture and cupping for my neck tension has halved my migraine frequency."
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about acupuncture for headaches and migraine
Can acupuncture really reduce migraine attacks?
Acupuncture doesn't cure migraine, but it can significantly reduce attack frequency and intensity. Several clinical studies show effectiveness comparable to preventive medication, without side effects. Results vary from person to person.
How many treatments do I need for migraine?
On average 6–10 sessions. Many patients already notice a difference in frequency or intensity after 3–4 treatments. After that, preventive maintenance (once a month) is recommended to sustain the result.
Does acupuncture still work if I'm already using triptans or other medication?
Yes. Acupuncture combines well with medication. Let Lily know at intake which medication you are using, so she can tailor the treatment accordingly.
Is acupuncture for headaches and migraine covered by my Dutch health insurance?
Yes, under most supplementary (aanvullende) insurance plans. Tianyi is Zhong NVTCG & S.C.A.G registered — the accreditations your insurer requires. After each treatment you receive an invoice with an AGB code to submit to your insurer.
When should I see my GP (huisarts) first before trying acupuncture?
If you experience sudden, severe headache unlike anything you've had before, headache following a fall or blow to the head, or headache accompanied by fever and neck stiffness — see your GP first. Acupuncture is suitable for known, recurring patterns of headache and migraine.
Ready to tackle your migraine?
Book an appointment today. Your first session is always a getting-to-know-you visit — including intake and a personal treatment plan.