Eastern Medicines like acupuncture have been around for hundreds of years and in my experience it does work for my TN, expecially when its a crippling episode. The key for me is to, like mentioned before, find a keenly trained therapist to work with and one that you are comfortable with. Secondly, its common for many to have to maintain a regimen with the understanding that 1. The first session may only offer mild results 2. Most insurances will not cover it.

Good luck with finding an acupuncturist you can relax with. And, no, there is no pain involved. Many are against it because it is not the normal approach to feeling better.