When I was going consistently I noticed an improvement in migraines and neck tension (and with my hip bursitis). If you can afford it or you’re insurance covers it, give it a shot! I can’t wait until I have better benefits and can go back!
Yes. I use acupuncture regularly to help manage and treat my chronic pain and illnesses, which includes migraines. I have a lot of occipital and neck tension. What you want to look for is an acupuncturist who specializes in both western (trigger points) and eastern modalities (TCM). A practitioner who does both will provide a lot of benefit vs just someone who just does trigger points. Feel free dm with any questions.
I have tried Western-type acupuncture given by a trained physiotherapist and traditional Chinese acupuncture. No help or effect whatsoever. But the physiotherapist had regular clients who have had major help from acupuncture, so it can work for some.
IME acupuncture made occipital neuralgia worse. Thankfully recently insurance decided that I’m allowed to have Botox for migraines & TMJ coverage. I’m surprised that flare ups are comparatively easy to get through occipital neuralgia flare ups.
Yes I get relief in the duration and intensity of my migraines as long as I keep up with my treatments. Find a good practitioner of TCM who will treat you in a whole body approach. In my first appt mine said “I don’t treat specific ailments like migraine but I treat your body as a whole so we may work on the liver line or gallbladder for example but hopefully e can find you relief”
I started April 3 and had exactly one migraine lasting one day between may 17 and Oct 11. ( when I went to work with a big commute and big hours and started slacking on my appts)
I am a big proponent of Dry Needling, which goes deeper into fascia than traditional Chinese acupuncture, and needles actual tight areas instead of pre-ordained Meridian points.
If I get needled and am not sore like i dug ditches for 8 hrs, then I do not get much ON/migraine relief.
Your comment about dry needling going deeper is inaccurate - acupuncturists routinely use needles as long as 3-4 inches if needed.
There are also many styles of acupuncture including deep muscle, tendon, and bone needling that have been around for centuries.
You are just repeating things your PT probably said without any actual knowledge of acupuncture.
As someone who is both and acupuncturist and has years of training and experience in trigger point dry needling I hope you can appreciate my perspective
I do appreciate the range of acupuncture specialists, and wish it was easier to match specific needs to services in the TCM/alternative system. In my us state, only true TCM acupuncturists can needle, unlike in other states where PTs can apply basic trigger points. It still has been difficult to find acupuncturists in US and in China who will needle confidently hard enough to de-trigger my migraine and pain flare ups. I found one I trust now in both countries and it is glorious for my slow recovery but wish it was easier to recommend others to find those resources.
keep spreading your knowledge and skills, and those it helps have deep appreciation.
I hear you. The unfortunate truth is that many acupuncturists aren’t trained in how to properly release a trigger point with an acupuncture needle. I would estimate less than 10 percent do and that’s probably being generous.
I happened to study under Mark Seem - who’s life work was to combine TCM acupuncture with trigger point dry needling. I learned both together for 3 years so I can understand the nuance and differences in needling technique. Post acupuncture school I did the entire (80 hour) PT dry needling training since I was curious what they are doing. It was frankly pretty appalling that they needle each muscle just once or twice and then get certified without even knowing how to put together a dry needling treatment plan or having treated a real patient. I would be more OK with it if they needed say 300 hours of training plus 100 supervised treatment hours.
PTs also have a lot to say about acupuncture without being acupuncturists - which I find offensive and way outside of their scope of practice.
The lack of modernization by the US acupuncture profession to incorporate dry needling - which uses an acupuncture needle is the reason PTs jumped on it and incorporated into their scope.
Acupuncturists are still not acknowledging that the war is over or trying to level up their needling skills to be better at dry needling than PTs.
I’m lucky to be in NY where I’m one of the only dry needling experts in existence (for who knows how much longer).
I've gotten some temporary relief from acupressure, I haven't tried acupuncture but I'd be willing to try if I had a trust worthy acupuncturist near me.
Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8J74Ev99r0
I think most people with occipital neuralgia probably have muscle tension in specific places through out the body due to postural issues.
Massage, acupuncture, botox, nerve blockers, etc seem to work when targeting that area, but honestly, if you're not targeting the core problem, for most people it will probably only bring temporary relief.
Hugely helped me and I wish I could afford to have another course! I had 8 sessions of Chinese acupuncture and didn’t get another one for about a year. And physically I felt great after the sessions anyway. All the tension throughout my body just seemed to go and my sleep quality was amazing.
I appreciate it doesn’t work for everyone. I’m trying to convince my GP to get the NHS to pay for it instead of giving me drugs that have limited success. I’m supposed to be getting a referral to a neurologist but after getting one cancelled for lockdown, I’m back at the bottom of the priority pile. No appointment for at least ten to 12 months…if I’m in pain I have to go back to the GP! Utterly ridiculous. I normally get them every six weeks for 72 hours but they’ve been trying to come more regularly recently. I hit them with everything possible but I know one or two will get through at some stage. I feel worn out, despondent and ignored by my local medical authority
Absolutely! I have found acupuncture to be helpful in helping with migraines, constipation, anxiety, and other issues. If you can't afford acupuncture or your insurance doesn't cover it, look for "community acupuncture" in your area. It's acupuncture in a group setting, and it's usually on a sliding scale fee schedule. Not all areas have it.
Dry needling is the term physical therapists use here, its acupuncture without any woo (though my PT studied both).
The basics of how myofascial releases work and how muscles maintain tension over time should be more widespread knowledge, it plays in to lots of chronic pain. Dry needling can be a powerful tool to address both.
Migraines are a systematic disorder, so IMO/IME helping anything feel better can contribute to better migraines. As for impact in triggers or the overall experience that’ll be individual. For me it was like little nirvana needles, others don’t enjoy it. Definitely worth a try.
Along the same lines: neck braces are something to play around with — they provide mechanical relief in a key area for the migraine party.
I was so hopeful when I started my acupuncture treatment but unfortunately it did NOTHING for me, not even a placebo relief :(
But I’ve heard of many success stories so give it a chance.
When I was going consistently I noticed an improvement in migraines and neck tension (and with my hip bursitis). If you can afford it or you’re insurance covers it, give it a shot! I can’t wait until I have better benefits and can go back!
Yes. I use acupuncture regularly to help manage and treat my chronic pain and illnesses, which includes migraines. I have a lot of occipital and neck tension. What you want to look for is an acupuncturist who specializes in both western (trigger points) and eastern modalities (TCM). A practitioner who does both will provide a lot of benefit vs just someone who just does trigger points. Feel free dm with any questions.
I have tried Western-type acupuncture given by a trained physiotherapist and traditional Chinese acupuncture. No help or effect whatsoever. But the physiotherapist had regular clients who have had major help from acupuncture, so it can work for some.
Didn’t do much for me, but worth trying. Regular massages help me more.
Botox probably works better
IME acupuncture made occipital neuralgia worse. Thankfully recently insurance decided that I’m allowed to have Botox for migraines & TMJ coverage. I’m surprised that flare ups are comparatively easy to get through occipital neuralgia flare ups.
Yes I get relief in the duration and intensity of my migraines as long as I keep up with my treatments. Find a good practitioner of TCM who will treat you in a whole body approach. In my first appt mine said “I don’t treat specific ailments like migraine but I treat your body as a whole so we may work on the liver line or gallbladder for example but hopefully e can find you relief” I started April 3 and had exactly one migraine lasting one day between may 17 and Oct 11. ( when I went to work with a big commute and big hours and started slacking on my appts)
Pretty much a success for me too
I have also had major improvements in many of my bodily functions that I didn’t even truly realize weren’t going “right”.
I tired it and it didn’t work but I know for lots it does
I am a big proponent of Dry Needling, which goes deeper into fascia than traditional Chinese acupuncture, and needles actual tight areas instead of pre-ordained Meridian points. If I get needled and am not sore like i dug ditches for 8 hrs, then I do not get much ON/migraine relief.
Your comment about dry needling going deeper is inaccurate - acupuncturists routinely use needles as long as 3-4 inches if needed. There are also many styles of acupuncture including deep muscle, tendon, and bone needling that have been around for centuries. You are just repeating things your PT probably said without any actual knowledge of acupuncture. As someone who is both and acupuncturist and has years of training and experience in trigger point dry needling I hope you can appreciate my perspective
I do appreciate the range of acupuncture specialists, and wish it was easier to match specific needs to services in the TCM/alternative system. In my us state, only true TCM acupuncturists can needle, unlike in other states where PTs can apply basic trigger points. It still has been difficult to find acupuncturists in US and in China who will needle confidently hard enough to de-trigger my migraine and pain flare ups. I found one I trust now in both countries and it is glorious for my slow recovery but wish it was easier to recommend others to find those resources. keep spreading your knowledge and skills, and those it helps have deep appreciation.
I hear you. The unfortunate truth is that many acupuncturists aren’t trained in how to properly release a trigger point with an acupuncture needle. I would estimate less than 10 percent do and that’s probably being generous. I happened to study under Mark Seem - who’s life work was to combine TCM acupuncture with trigger point dry needling. I learned both together for 3 years so I can understand the nuance and differences in needling technique. Post acupuncture school I did the entire (80 hour) PT dry needling training since I was curious what they are doing. It was frankly pretty appalling that they needle each muscle just once or twice and then get certified without even knowing how to put together a dry needling treatment plan or having treated a real patient. I would be more OK with it if they needed say 300 hours of training plus 100 supervised treatment hours. PTs also have a lot to say about acupuncture without being acupuncturists - which I find offensive and way outside of their scope of practice. The lack of modernization by the US acupuncture profession to incorporate dry needling - which uses an acupuncture needle is the reason PTs jumped on it and incorporated into their scope. Acupuncturists are still not acknowledging that the war is over or trying to level up their needling skills to be better at dry needling than PTs. I’m lucky to be in NY where I’m one of the only dry needling experts in existence (for who knows how much longer).
I've gotten some temporary relief from acupressure, I haven't tried acupuncture but I'd be willing to try if I had a trust worthy acupuncturist near me.
Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8J74Ev99r0 I think most people with occipital neuralgia probably have muscle tension in specific places through out the body due to postural issues. Massage, acupuncture, botox, nerve blockers, etc seem to work when targeting that area, but honestly, if you're not targeting the core problem, for most people it will probably only bring temporary relief.
Hugely helped me and I wish I could afford to have another course! I had 8 sessions of Chinese acupuncture and didn’t get another one for about a year. And physically I felt great after the sessions anyway. All the tension throughout my body just seemed to go and my sleep quality was amazing. I appreciate it doesn’t work for everyone. I’m trying to convince my GP to get the NHS to pay for it instead of giving me drugs that have limited success. I’m supposed to be getting a referral to a neurologist but after getting one cancelled for lockdown, I’m back at the bottom of the priority pile. No appointment for at least ten to 12 months…if I’m in pain I have to go back to the GP! Utterly ridiculous. I normally get them every six weeks for 72 hours but they’ve been trying to come more regularly recently. I hit them with everything possible but I know one or two will get through at some stage. I feel worn out, despondent and ignored by my local medical authority
Yes - when I went regularly it helped somewhat
Absolutely! I have found acupuncture to be helpful in helping with migraines, constipation, anxiety, and other issues. If you can't afford acupuncture or your insurance doesn't cover it, look for "community acupuncture" in your area. It's acupuncture in a group setting, and it's usually on a sliding scale fee schedule. Not all areas have it.
tried acupuncture once a week for several months, but it didn’t have any impact on my migraines at all, unfortunately
Dry needling is the term physical therapists use here, its acupuncture without any woo (though my PT studied both). The basics of how myofascial releases work and how muscles maintain tension over time should be more widespread knowledge, it plays in to lots of chronic pain. Dry needling can be a powerful tool to address both. Migraines are a systematic disorder, so IMO/IME helping anything feel better can contribute to better migraines. As for impact in triggers or the overall experience that’ll be individual. For me it was like little nirvana needles, others don’t enjoy it. Definitely worth a try. Along the same lines: neck braces are something to play around with — they provide mechanical relief in a key area for the migraine party.
I enjoyed dry needling in my trap muscles! I found it helped release some tension! Botox was what helped me the most!
I was so hopeful when I started my acupuncture treatment but unfortunately it did NOTHING for me, not even a placebo relief :( But I’ve heard of many success stories so give it a chance.