Anyone Try Acupuncture?

I'm trying it now, for migraines that are slowly getting worse. I think it will work, but am switching to a new acupuncturist, because the one I first went to (for the convenient location) isn't the right fit for me. She is wayyyy too into herbalism and a bunch of non-scientific mumbo-jumbo. (So far, after four visits, things were a lot better at first, and then I had a stressful week last week and got three migraines. So I can't really tell yet if it's working or not.)

Next week I will switch to someone who comes highly recommended. I can't recommend her to you yet -- because I haven't seen her yet.

I am very interested to see what other people say.

I would recommend a chiropractor first. I started going to one recently, and it has really helped me. I had a constant hacking cough and nothing stopped it. She did! She also looks at diet and vitamins. I would highly recommend her. Last week I took my 5 year old daughter to her and in one visit she helped my daughter's allergies. She is on St. Clair Avenue in St. Paul. I live in Eagan, but it is well worth the 12 minute drive. She charges $45 per visit. Her name is Barb Gettel - www.barbgettelchiropractic.com . Good Luck.

Acupuncture can definitely help relieve your headaches, and possibly keep them away for good. It is extremely helpful for all pain conditions. However, there are a few things you need to know before looking for a practitioner. First, look for a Licensed Acupuncturist, these people have a L.Ac, after their name. They could also have a M.Om (Master in Oriental Medicine) or a M.Ac (Master in Acupuncture). These people are the most qualified to practice acupuncture. MDs and Chiropractic doctors only are required to have minimal amounts of training. In Minnesota it is only 100 hours. A person with a Masters in Oriental Medicine has over 3000 hours of training when they graduate. Most insurance only covers Acupuncture by MDs or Chiropractors, but there are places, good ones, that you can receive acupuncture at a very low cost from practitioners who are technically more qualified than the ones your insurance may cover. I know that Health Partners covers acupuncture by an L.Ac. There are two schools in the Twin Cities area (one in Bloomington and one in Roseville) that have teaching clinics. The students are senior students and are supervised by an accomplished faculty. The treatments are 35 dollars at the one in Bloomington (Edith Davis Teaching Clinic). There is also a faculty clinic at the school but the prices are considerably higher. If you want more info, I have a ton, and can recommend some great Acupuncturists outside of teaching clinics. Just send me a message. Hope this helps!

D. - I suffered from headaches for years and years. I worked with several chiropractors but the headaches always came back. I discovered mine was from a food alergy - dairy. Stopped drinking milk every day and I no longer have the constant headaches.

I know a great acupuncturist in the north metro, great chiropractors in the south metro and a fabulous shiatzu massage therapist in the south metro. If you want any numbers, let me know.

Good luck,

Have you tried a chiropractor? It might be cheaper to try a chiropractor first and if that doesn't work then try acupuncture. Chiropractic is covered in part by most insurance plans but acupuncture usually is not. Many chiropractors also deal in "wellness" (as do acupuncturists) and may be able to help you analyze your diet and lifestyle to see if there is anything other than facial tension causing the headaches. Tightness in the neck can cause severe headaches and a chiropractor could help with that. I go to one in the SE metro I could recommend if that area would work for you. As for acupuncture I've heard good things about Crocus Hill Oriental Medicine on Grand Ave. in St. Paul, but that's probably not a convenient location for you. Maybe they would know of someone in the south metro though. Good luck.