Did you get results immediately or is this something that is cumulative?

I actually noticed a little change right away but it is cumulative. I had a subtle decrease in the migraines the longer that I went to see my acupuncturist. He also gave me some herbs to try. I do still get them occassionally but I can actually function with them. I don't have severe migraines like before and I take more of my herbs and schedule a treatment session and that usually prevents or stops from having a cycle of them. I only see my acupuncturist occassionally now, when I feel I am getting stressed or just don't "feel right".

It makes me mad that our insurance policies won't cover acupuncture or massage therapy. That and chiropractic care helps me with my migraines and chronic pain more than anything else and I can't afford to do it and I'm stuck taking pain medicine thats ruining my life and my marriage, because it's cheaper. It SUCKS

I am sorry to hear about your struggles. If you need someone to talk to, I am here.

Insurance sometimes seems like you can't afford it but can't afford not to have it. Especially when it doesn't cover the things that are needed.

i tried acupuncture but it only made my migraines worse. so glad it helped you though.. i know everyone is different..i was helped mostly by NAET
it was a life saver!!!!

I do well with acupuncture as well.

For those whose insurance won't cover things like acupuncture or massage therapy - does it cover physical therapy or chiropractic? I've found several places in my area that have a chiropractor who is also a massage therapist and acupunturist, as well as a PT. My guy is awesome - and he bills the insurance as PT no matter what he does to me. Just a thought - I was VERY relieved, as he doesn't charge me the co-insurance that the PT place I went this summer did, and he'll do the many different things that help me with my migraines, bulging cervical discs, and osteoarthritis need! :D

Accupuncture is my next step. Have to save the initial fee because he only takes cash and right now I don't have any extra floating around. I did try chiro for 3 years and began to feel that they were just having me come back so they could bill the insurance rather than help me. Sometimes it made my headaches worse and sometimes it intially made me feel better but by the time I got home it was back again. My niece is a big support of the accupuncture - she says it works too.

I had great results as well with maybe 3 accupuncture visits. I haven't been there for awhile now and sure enough, 3 migraines in the past month. It had been 3 months since the last one. The first two I had were almost pain-free but this last one a week ago was worse. I have always had the visual disturbances as well, since the age of 6. it starts as tiny dots, similar to pixels in photog speak and then expands to nearly my whole field of vision. But if I don't notice the beginnings of it and then suddenly realize I'm having trouble seeing and notice it, it's not as bad. So maybe a psychological aspect as well. I have a few food triggers as well, most likely to cause a migraine is macadamia nuts or peanuts or peanut butter. I don't like pecans or walnuts but almonds are great, so I eat rather a small amount of these products and can honestly say it's almost like clockwork though not always immediate. Chocolate sometimes does it but other factors have to be right, say fatigue and/or depression or feeling overwhelmed and tension.
As for meds, I quit taking them about 6 mo. ago since they didn't help at all and cost a lot even with just a co-pay. I do take a so-called preventative, Nortriptalene every night, 75 MG. I know it's a lot but I have quite a high tolerance.
Another thing that nearly eliminated my migraines was regular visits to Curves, an exercise organization. I can no longer afford to go there either so I'm frustrated knowing what helps and not being able to afford it. Accupuncture was $75 the first time and $55 after that in my city but Curves was $32 a month.