Migraine

I went to my first acupuncture appointment yesterday evening. Both my neuro and PCP thought it would be worth trying acupuncture as a complementary therapy, since I have both CDH and weekly migraines, and awful sleeping problems on top of that.

I feel that the first appointment went pretty well. If nothing else, it did completely relax me, and loosen up a lot of the tight muscles I always seem to have in my neck and shoulders.

I took a lot of what the acupuncturist said with a grain of salt, though. She said she would be able to "cure" both my migraines and sleeping problems. I'm not looking for a "cure" (especially since none exist), but even if the acupuncture helps just a little, that will be wonderful. I've been in misery for over a year now (this round).

I still had a little bit of headache with dizziness and nausea last night when I went to bed, but it hit a little later than it typically does. I fell asleep a little easier than I usually do, and did feel more rested when I woke up. (Of course, I overslept and was late to work, so that might be part of it too. )

It's still too early to tell how much acupuncture is going to help me, but I have my next appointment set up for next Monday, so I'll see how it goes.

That is great that your first visit went pretty well with the acupunture! I've never had it before. Is the "procedure" itself uncomfortable at all? Is it right that they use tiny needles? I really have no clue. Could you tell me more about it?

quote:

Originally posted by Kelly, FlywithHope:
That is great that your first visit went pretty well with the acupunture! I've never had it before. Is the "procedure" itself uncomfortable at all? Is it right that they use tiny needles? I really have no clue. Could you tell me more about it?

I had acupuncture done for my neck. Unfortunately, it didn't work- and for good reason... I was thinking that I was dealing with muscle spasm, not major disc problems.

The procedure itself was actually very relaxing. They do use small tiny needles, and can pretty much work on different "meridians" if one place where the needle is placed doesn't work, or hurts, there's a secondary place for them to go- to get the same problem worked out.

It's definitely worth a try.

The one thing that happened of interest is that during one of the visits, I went really emotional after the treatment... They must have loosened up something somewhere- cause my lower back was pain-free *and has been since* and I was crying over and over and over. But the emotion must have been the toxins from that stored pain letting themselves out from the stored blockage,- or at least, I'm somewhat inclined to believe that much, as I was consciously going for acupuncture knowing a little bit about the principles of the therapy... and I guess if you choose to believe in acupuncture principles, that would be a good explaination for the release of energy and pain...

Hope this helped a little...

wow, thanks Jamie, That does help explain.

quote:

Originally posted by Kelly, FlywithHope:
wow, thanks Jamie, That does help explain.

Glad that my explanation helped! It's definitely different than what we're "used to" in our cultural norm... Glad I was able to make it less "strange and out there!"

Well, it looks like Jamie got back to this thread before I did! And explains it pretty well, but I'll add my $.02.

I also found the procedure very relaxing. In addition to the tiny small needles that Jamie mentions, my acupuncturist used a few more techniques that are common to the practice. In particular, she did some "cupping", which involves putting a warmed cup on certain meridians as another way to draw toxins out. None of the procedure really hurt, but some of it felt a little achy, similar to a deep massage. It was a good hurt. And very relaxing.

If the needle thing freaks you out, don't worry - you don't actually have to watch any of it. The first part of the procedure I laid face down, so I didn't see what she was doing on my back. The second part I laid face-up, and just closed my eyes.

After she removed the needles/cups, she massaged the meridian areas to increase flow.

Acupuncture is definitely out of the norm for what most of us are used to in western medicine. But I see it as a natural extension of massage therapy, as it seems there are a lot of ideas in common. (Though acupuncture may well have come before massage therapy, I don't know.) If you think of it like that, the whole experience seems much less "out there".

I would absolutely recommend giving acupuncture a try. Compared to many of the medications we try, it has very few potential side effects and some great potential benefits. Some insurance plans will even cover this therapy now, especially with a referral or letter of medical necessity from your PCP or neuro.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll be sure to post another update after my next appointment.

And Jamie - I experienced a similar emotional thing last night a few hours after the treatment. Not sure if it was the first release of toxins, or if it was something else.

MJ,
I am so glad to hear about your experience as well. Thank you for sharing!
I'm not freaked out by needles; I just don't like the idea of causing myself more pain if it won't have any benefits. I kinda feel like I'm in enough pain, you know? But at the same time, I am willing to try anything.
After hearing from you and Jaime, it actually makes me want to check accupuncture out once I'm feeling a bit better. I think my first priority would be to find someone who is recommended/good. I don't see my headache specialist until after Thanksgiving. But, maybe he can give me a referral. Also, I think I'll see if our insurance covers it.
But, I had another question. You mentioned there are few (meaning not many) potential side effects. Do you happen to know what they are? I'm just curious. Of course I'll look it up on the internet and ask my doc too. But, I thought you might know.
Thanks!
Kelly

Here's to a good first visit!

Hey I'll take anything if it is relaxing!!!!

You have a good point Eileen! If it is relaxing, bring it on!

Kelly

The main side effect I've heard of is that sometimes, the acupuncture can make your symptoms initially worse. I've heard from some that they had migraines after the treatment, or their nausea was worse. This didn't seem to be the case for me.

The others are what you might expect from a procedure that involves needles, infection and that sort of thing. If you go to a licensed acupuncturist (the letters "LAc" after their name) who uses sterilized needles, this shouldn't be an issue at all.

You can always ask questions of your acupuncturist when you get there. Mine explained not only what she was doing, but some of the theory behind it as well. She put me completely at ease.

It will also help you if you do some thinking ahead of time about the pattern your pain takes - a certain time of day or month, where it hurts, how it hurts. Your acupuncturist will probably ask you these questions, so thinking about it ahead of time so you have clear answers will definitely help you!

and I hope you enjoy it.

Hi,
I just thought I'd put my 2 cents in here. I started acupuncture at the end of October because I was really at my wits end. None of the preventatives ever prescribed to me had ever worked, and caused terrible side effects. I was having alot of migraines, and also lots of neck pain. I read that acupuncture had helped some people with migraines and I figured it was worth a shot.

My acupuncturist recommended that I come once a week for 6 weeks. I just had my 4th treatment today. So far, I've had a good result. I did get a couple of migraines the week following the first treatment (not necessarily an increase from normal though) Although he did say the first treatment was sort of a mini treatment to test my tolerance. After treatment #2, I went 11 days without a migraine (very good for me) After the 3rd treatment I've gone 6 days and still going so we'll see. I know I feel better but I'm not 100% convinced it's not coincidence. I hope it isn't, because it'd be nice to think I've found something that helps. It definitely has helped with my neck pain/tightness and since I seem to have a tension headache overlay to my migraines I'm sure that the release of neck tension is having a positive affect. I did start Magnesium in early october so that could be having a positive effect too.

For my treatment, I lay on my side (clothed) and he puts some needles in my leg, foot, head, neck, stomach and hand. They are small and the most I feel is a bit of a pinch when they go in. He then attaches some sort of stimulator to some of them & I feel a light tapping in the particular area. He leaves for a little while then. It is extremely relaxing, today I actually dozed off for a short time. The Dr. is very attentive and spends time talking with me about how I've been feeling over the past week so that he can make adjustments to the treatment as needed. It is definitely different from Western medicine but so far I think it's a welcome change esp. from doctors who are quick to prescribe drugs then push you out the door.

Anyway, sorry for the long email. But it's definitely worth a try. I was at first nervous about the needles but like I said, I barely even feel anything.
Heather

Hi!

I thought I would add my expierence with acupuncture.

I started going to acupuncture in April. I went once a week for 3 weeks. Then I went once every other week for 6 weeks. Now, I go once a month. After the first 3 months there was a 50% drop in the amount of migraines I was getting. Now, I have gone since August without a migraine. The acupuncture has helped more than I ever thought it would.

Good luck and I hope you are helped as much as I have been!

wow Michelle, that's great!! I hope I have as much success as you did.

quote:

Originally posted by michelle2958:
Hi!

I thought I would add my expierence with acupuncture.

I started going to acupuncture in April. I went once a week for 3 weeks. Then I went once every other week for 6 weeks. Now, I go once a month. After the first 3 months there was a 50% drop in the amount of migraines I was getting. Now, I have gone since August without a migraine. The acupuncture has helped more than I ever thought it would.

Good luck and I hope you are helped as much as I have been!

Wow- that's terrific, Michelle! It sounds like the acupuncture did the trick! I hope you keep on having such success!

quote:

Originally posted by cookie628:
wow Michelle, that's great!! I hope I have as much success as you did.

I hope you have amazing success with the acupuncture. Sounds like you've had a positive experience so far! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, and hope that you continue to have good experiences, and ultimately the best possible results!