Recovering from my 2nd session of acupuncture.
I've had work done on my upper and lower spine plus back of skull and shoulder blades. The area around my scar tissue has been left well alone and I seem to be relaxing quite well in the hip and lumbar region but my top half.... shoulders, neck, head etc are not happy!!!!!!!!!
Suffered quite abit after both of the treatments, mainly with deep dull aches and horrendous headaches for about 4 days after the procedures.
Has anyone else encountered this?
I'm not sure if I should see it through and try again or call it quits?

Thoughts or any input on your experiences would be great.

I have been getting acupuncture for years and never had a problem like this. Are they needling the scar tissue? Maybe you should try seeing another acupuncturist. Also, taking some arnica orally afterwards should help. The idea should be small improvements over time, maybe they are trying to do too much at once. A good acupuncturist will discuss with you the goal of treatment.

Let them know and see what their thoughts are.

There's a type of headache caused by getting more circulation than usual. People who drink coffee can get it if they miss their cup because coffee causes vasoconstriction. People who take nitro pills for angina can also get it.

I've had problems with neck tension so bad that it was compressing vessels in my neck causing my head to blanch and feelings of lightheadedness. On one such occasion, the tension suddenly released and I received the same type of headache I would get from missing coffee. It sucked, but I also knew it meant I got my circulation back and figured it would subside, which it did in about an hour.

Whatever your particular details are, maybe you are going through some changes.

Good luck.

I'm hoping its a case of no pain no gain...... as 5 days after, I feel pretty ok!
I will definately give her all the details and see what she suggests. Out of curiousity I think I may go ahead with the 3rd session just to see what happens?????????
The headache definately felt like the one you described.....as if no coffee- spot on description!
Many thanks for your input, very useful.
Best wishes

I will pose all what has happened to her!
I think that I may go ahead with the next session BUT suggest if she can go in alittle less with the needles around the head region..... I wonder if thats possible?
Strangely I actually feel alot better today ( day 5-6 post procedure) no headache.
Many thanks for your input!!!!!

Make sure you share all of your 'new' symptoms, because they can adjust your treatment to that. My acupuncturist treats my scar tissue, then places needles in for relaxation and lets those sit for awhile. Even if my pain doesn't improve, the reduction in stress is what i find the most beneficial. I am glad you are feeling better.

I am sorry you've had an adverse reaction!
I've been getting acupuncture for 2 years now to control my tendonitis inflammation and I've had nothing but good results. I will say though that my practitioner works with a distal approach. She works on my left leg to treat my right arm, etc. Sometimes I will receive needles in my arms but ONLY if the areas aren't angry. She stays away from flare-ups as poke-zones :P
I hold out hope for you that you can find the right approach for your needs

Well, I've just returned home from having my 3rd session a couple of hours ago....... lets hope I react differently this time around? So long as a headache doesn't get triggered I will be happy. So far my body feels abit happier/relaxed almost immediately after the session which is much more promising than how it felt at last weeks session.

Thanks for your input!
Best wishes to you.

Hi,

I've been getting acupuncture for quite a long time also, and I've had different approaches and techniques from my naturopath doctor (who uses a chinese medicine approach) vs. my physiotherapist who uses a different pain relief approach.

I've never had headaches after sessions, but I have had increased pain the first couple of sessions with my naturopath. She explained that acupuncture sometimes takes several sessions to get the benefits of it. Not all people react immediately to the treatment.

There are so many areas that the needles can be placed, so discussing this with her is also an option if you get another headache. Personally, I find that the "4 gates of pain" needles that my physiotherapist uses on me gives me the most pain relief. I get a needle in tops of both my feet, and both hands (near the thumb). Also the needles in my neck help me greatly.

With my naturopath, she would only put needles in the painful areas on one side of my body, I found for me this gave less relief.

Another thought, maybe it's your posture during the treatment that is giving you the headache? Altering positions may help?

Cathie

Hi cath1,
Some good suggestions, thanks.
Funny enough on the session today I did reposition myself slightly differently to last time...I rested my forehead on a firm cushion which helped to very gently lift and support my head and it also prevented it from dropping too low into the face hole on the treatment table. I think that this helped to take the pressure off the back my the neck ( occipital area ).
Anyway its now been 8 hours since the treatment and I'm on no painkillers at the moment and have no headache and feel less pain than on my other sessions.I'm booked in for next week also, so time will tell.
At the moment I'm very happy! I hope I awake in the morning the same way.