My Experience With Acupuncture for Migraine Relief
As a long-time migraine patient, I recently decided to give acupuncture a try. Acupuncture is an ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine. It’s used to treat various ailments and conditions, and some studies show it can have many benefits for alleviating migraine and its related symptoms (you can read more about acupuncture and how it works here). In this blog, I share what the experience was like for me, and what you can expect if you decide acupuncture could be right for you, too.
Finding the Right Practitioner
My first step was finding an acupuncturist. I started by doing some internet research and talking to some of my doctors and friends for recommendations. After compiling a list of reputable practices, I visited their websites to learn more about what they do.
In my research, I found that studies show that traditional Chinese acupuncture is more effective than “sham” acupuncture. I knew I was looking for an acupuncturist who was board-certified and licensed (some accreditations to look for are NCCAOM, ABORM, and MSOM). I also paid attention to the reviews and testimonials from other patients. I was able to narrow my search down pretty quickly, and then I called to get my first appointment set up.
What to Expect
In my first session, the acupuncturist took a very detailed health history. We discussed my entire health—including all of my symptoms, medications, and treatments—not just for migraine, but overall. We talked about nutrition, exercise, and even experience with past emotional trauma. I really appreciated the holistic nature of the conversation and knowing that my acupuncturist would use all of the information to build a personalized treatment plan for me.
After the conversation, we moved into an acupuncture room where I received my first treatment. The experience was very calming. My acupuncturist asked me to remove my socks and shoes and roll up my pant legs. He had me lie down face-up on a hospital-style bed. The bed had heating pads and felt very warm and comfortable. Then he began inserting the acupuncture needles, which I was nervous about because I wasn’t sure what to expect and feared it would be painful. Thankfully, as the acupuncturist placed multiple needles, I felt only very minor discomfort that went away immediately—it was like a quick sting, and then it subsided. He put them in my feet, shins, hands, elbows, and ears. Over the next few weeks, he would put them in various locations depending on my symptoms.
Some people experience more or less discomfort during needle placement. It is also common to feel some tingling or heaviness while the needles are in, although that was not the case for me.
I Allowed Myself To Relax
Once the needles were in, the acupuncturist turned on a warming light on my feet to keep me from getting cold during the treatment. He set a timer for 45 minutes and left the room. I laid there very still. In most of my sessions, I fell into a deeply relaxed state. I let my mind wander and tried not to focus on anything in particular. A few times, I fell asleep during the treatment sessions. Before my first appointment, I thought that I would be completely aware of the needles the entire time, but that wasn’t at all the case.
When the time was up, the acupuncturist came back in and removed all the needles. He told me to get up slowly and to take my time. My acupuncture sessions almost always left me feeling sleepy afterwards, and sometimes it took me a while to shake off the grogginess. Other than that, I had no negative side effects or discomfort.
The Frequency
I knew from my research going into my first appointment that I would need a minimum of 6-8 sessions before seeing any results. The first 4 sessions were done once per week. After that, we moved to every other week. Although the recommendation for seeing results is 6-8 sessions, the acupuncturist told me that some people who come in with migraine can feel results after just one session. Unfortunately, that was not my experience, and my first session did not immediately alleviate my symptoms.
Realistically, acupuncture is a bit of a time commitment. Each session took about 30-60 minutes, not including my travel time. This made scheduling it into my week a bit tricky. Especially since I often felt tired afterwards and needed to allow extra time to recover and get back into life.
The Cost
Unfortunately, the acupuncture practice I chose did not accept health insurance. I was told this is not uncommon, though some practices do. Fortunately, though, my acupuncturist offered me a discount for paying out of pocket. The first session was more expensive (about $150), as it was a very detailed consultation. Thereafter, my sessions cost $50 each. If your insurance plan covers acupuncture, start by obtaining a list of approved practices from your insurance company and proceed from there.
The Verdict: Did it Work?
At the point I am writing this, I am on week 12, which should be long enough to see results. It’s very hard to tell if I think it has worked or not. I will say acupuncture is an incredibly zen experience. I enjoyed the forced relaxing time and appreciated the holistic nature of the treatment plan. It feels very good to have a practitioner listening to ALL of my symptoms and making changes each week based on what I am experiencing. This is generally not the experience with a medical specialist.
While my migraine symptoms may be less severe, there may be other life factors that are impacting me just as much. For example, I can get more sleep during the summer months because my kids are out of school.
It’s important to keep in mind that everyone experiences treatments differently. For me personally, I’m not sure I can say acupuncture has been worth the financial and time commitment. I really wanted it to be! That said, I do believe it is worth a try, especially if you are fortunate enough to have it covered by insurance.
Interested in giving acupuncture a try? Find a practitioner in your area here.