The invention discloses a workpiece straightening machine which comprises a follow-up thimble, a pressing head, a driving thimble, a bearing supporting column, a work sliding table, a bearing plate, a pressure measuring part and a bending control device. The follow-up thimble, the bearing supporting column and the driving thimble are arranged on the work sliding table, and the work sliding table is in sliding fit with the bearing plate. The bending control device comprises an upper bearing block, a lower bearing block, a feeding block, a spring and a baffle, a through hole is formed in the work sliding table, and the position, below the through hole, on the bearing plate is provided with a cavity used for arranging the bending control device. Meanwhile, the invention further discloses a workpiece straightening method. In the anti-bent straightening process of shaft and rod workpieces, the bending of the workpieces and the stroke of the pressing head can be effectively controlled. It is guaranteed that deformation of the workpieces is within a preset range, and the phenomena of insufficient bending and over bending in the workpiece straightening process are avoided. Particularly to the hydraulically-driven pressing head, the precision control demand of the pressing head strokes can be effectively lowered, operation and production efficiency is improved, and the scrappage of the workpieces is reduced.