I’m Joseph Alban, a New York City-based Doctor of Acupuncture with over 20 years in practice. Acupuncture is very effective at treating and preventing many types of chronic headaches, including migraines, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. In my Upper West Side practice, I’ve helped many people find lasting relief from headaches over two decades of clinical work.
Restoring Balance in the Body
The body is amazing at healing itself. I like to say acupuncture works by hitting the reset switch, bringing the body back to health.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine focus on correcting imbalances in the body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself. Each person’s imbalance is different, and diagnosis must be based on your specific symptoms.
The most common imbalance behind headaches is related to the circulation or production of the body’s energy, Qi.
Qi circulates through the body. When there’s stress, trauma, or illness, this circulation can slow down and become stagnant. Someone with Qi stagnation will typically have headaches that are intense, worse with stress, along with neck pain, rib-side pain, possible insomnia, and digestive problems.
Another imbalance is too little energy, known as Qi deficiency. With too little energy, people tend to feel tired, get bloated after eating, and have a weak pulse.
Acupuncture targets the specific areas that correct these imbalances. Each patient receives a personalized treatment: I’ll ask in-depth questions, take your pulse, and look at your tongue to make the correct diagnosis and formulate the best treatment course.
Acupuncture uses Individualized Treatments
Each person experiences their headaches differently. The type and location of pain differs between people, and triggers like stress, specific foods, odors, or sleep patterns may or may not play a role. These factors inform the underlying imbalance causing your headache, and treatment is customized to how you experience it. By targeting the exact root of the headache, acupuncture can provide both immediate and long-term relief.
I target the precise cause using acupuncture, cupping, and acupressure to achieve powerful results and a strong sense of relaxation. Most people feel relief after just a few weekly visits.
Each type of headache has its own underlying patterns, points, and research behind it, explore the specific pages above for the details relevant to what you’re experiencing.
Feedback From our clients…
“I suffered from chronic neck pain for more than 4 yrs before being treated by Joseph Alban. As a registered Yoga teacher, I was looking for a treatment that did not involve a prescription medicine that treated only the symptom rather than the underlying cause of the problem. It was the first time I’d ever tried acupuncture and to my amazement Joe took the time to listen and answer any questions and concerns I had regarding my health. After several treatments I started to see results and after several months I was completely pain free! I highly recommend Alban’s acupuncture to anyone with chronic pain.”
~ M.B., New Jersey
Feedback From our clients…
After suffering for months from horrible, nagging sinus headaches, further complicated by the cumulative stress from caring for my 17-month-old child, I chose to give acupuncture a try. It has been one of the best health decisions that I have made for myself. When I was first diagnosed with sinusitis many months ago, I was prescribed antibiotics and other medication, which did help me recover from the terrible cold and relieve my sinus symptoms. However, since then, every time the weather changed, I was completely debilitated by a horrible sinus headache. I was afraid of future never-ending cycles of antibiotics (or even Tylenol), but caring for my child required me to be functional at full capacity. I was very afraid of the horrendous sinus pain, and was desperate for long-term relief. I did a lot of research and came across acupuncture, including articles that Joe Alban has published online on this topic. I decided to give acupuncture a try, as my doctor has told me acupuncture is a safe alternative from western medicine (i.e., no harm in trying). Joe is not only very skilled in his techniques (I have never suffered any bruise; I could barely feel the needles), he is very informative and has educated me a great deal about acupuncture. The treatment room is clean and comfortable. Most importantly, after 6 or 7 treatments, I am already feeling drastic improvements of my condition. It is very encouraging for me to know that my body can be restored in a holistic manner, and it is capable to repairing itself. I am very happy to report that my sinus headache, even though it is still present from time to time (as I am not completely through with my treatment), has now become very manageable. Without the sinus pain, I am again able to engage in other activities (such as pilates) which more directly help me reduce stress and improve physical back pain. I am also able to enjoy the outdoor again with my child without the fear of feeling sick simply because the weather changes. I thank Joe and acupuncture for setting me back into a positive health cycle. I highly recommend Joe’s practice to anyone interested.
Patient, NYC
I came in to see Joseph without a recommendation (based on his information on the Alban website) with acute sinusitis and a disjointed thumb. We agreed was in direct correlation with the full sinuses (since parts of the hand reflect the face). After 1 session, I felt at least 80% better. The horrible migraines associated with sinusitis dissipated the evening of my first session and I felt I was on the road to recovery. I went in for a second session for my disjointed thumb. It was still very sore and I am the victim of – “Blackberry Thumb” – the latest in tech maladies where it feels as if you have tendonitis of the thumb – ouch! Not fun for a full-time secretary and Blackberry user. After another session, I was relaxed and Joseph really understands the body, mind and spirit. We both have the same belief that “the body will heal itself” and it can. I am trying to limit my topical remedies as well as over the counter muscle relaxers. Just doing the exercises/stretches that Joseph instructed me to do and taking it easy. The next step is too really rebuild my immune system and take better care with a satisfactory diet and exercise regime. I would highly recommend Joseph. His rates are reasonable, his demeanor and personality – stellar, I feel safe, relaxed and totally satisfied with the service Joseph provides. He is inspiring and a master of his medicinal craft!
L.T., New York City
I came to see Doctor Joseph Alban because I suffered from migraine very often. I also felt tired and depressed. In addition to the lessening of the migraine frequency I also learned a lot about myself and the imbalances of my body by talking and being listened to by Doctor Joseph Alban. I also appreciate his original approach including acupuncture, Tui Na massage and Chinese herbs. I really feel better.
Isabelle, Jersey City
For seven straight days every month I suffered from migraines. Both my mother and sister also had the same condition so for years I had written it off as hereditary and tried managing the migraines with medication. I’d have to keep switching medications as I’d build up a tolerance and didn’t want to keep increasing my dosage. I went to Joseph Alban for acupuncture treatment and after a month of regular sessions the migraines stopped. I no longer have to take medication seven days out of the month. Joseph Alban helped me cure my migraines and even managed to convince me to improve my diet and eat breakfast in the mornings. I found him to have a very kind, calming nature so my treatments were always a pleasant experience. I am very happy with the results from my acupuncture treatments and would recommend anyone who suffers from migraines to visit him and give acupuncture a try.
M.G., NYC
I first came to Joe for relief from debilitating sinus headaches. Sinus problems run in my family, and I’d suffered from sinus headaches for years, but I had immediate results with acupuncture. Even after the first visit, I noticed a drastic change. After just a month of treatment, my sinus headaches were completely gone — in fact, I haven’t taken a single sinus pill since I started acupuncture. In addition to wiping out the headaches, acupuncture has increased my energy level and has helped me deal with stress and anxiety. I really look forward to my acupuncture appointments with Joe. I come out feeling relaxed and refreshed, as if the stress of the week has just completely melted away.
E.R., Professor, New York City