3 Ways Acupuncture Helped My Migraines
During my childhood, trips to the doctor’s office were as common as treks to the playground. So, when my migraines first started in my adulthood, I found myself once again in this familiar setting - but with no reward stickers at the end of my visit. However, for the first time in my life, the doctors didn’t have any concrete solutions. I decided to seek answers somewhere else, and my first stop was trying acupuncture.
Several friends suggested I try this form of alternative medicine because it cured their severe back pain and other issues. All I knew was that it involved needles. When I asked if it hurt, my friends told me they didn’t even notice the tiny needles, and one BFF even fell asleep. Since I'm always down for a good nap and relief from my migraines, I booked an appointment - 12 of them, in fact. Here are 3 ways acupuncture helped my migraines.
Awareness
My acupuncturist took the time to explain how this process worked. Putting it in the simplest of terms, she said inserting the needles at specific points would release my energy or (chi) help it to flow. I hadn’t given much thought to how my energy flowed (unless my energy felt hungry), and my first session had me figuring out how to check in with myself. This new way of scanning my body helped me to my energy level before migraine triggers were triggered.
Downtime
Not a person to take time out to truly recharge, acupuncture sessions forced me to take quiet time for myself and learn how to embrace it. This was a new concept, but once I understood the dark, quiet room supported my nervous system in being less nervous, I could feel some anxiety lessen around my migraine disease. Not long after, I began to crave this kind of meditative space and knew it was my body’s way of telling me it needed a break — which could on occasion break my migraine pattern.
Aches and pains
Along with my migraines, my neck and jaw could become painfully tight. After 6 sessions, I noticed that these little aches and pains had decreased. It was lovely to be able to have an entire day here and there totally pain-free.
Did acupuncture work for my migraine?
Ultimately, acupuncture wasn’t the cure I’d hoped for. I was super disappointed but continued to try other avenues that might give me some less painful days. What it did do was give me some helpful tools to pack into my migraine to-go bag. I still check in with my body and take myself some downtime—just without all the needles.
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