I have chronic migraine as well as significant neck arthritis. I have both head pain and neck pain and over the many years I have had migraine it has morphed in location and some of that I suspect is related to the development of the arthritis. This is just some background as an FYI for you.

I was on cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), a muscle relaxer, for a number of years. I took it every night and it helped with sleep, decreased muscle spasm and pain in my neck and shoulders (the shoulder spasm was related to the neck per my doctor). I developed some side effects (chillblains which I have a tendency towards anyway but it made it much worse) or I would still be taking it. This med is helpful in a lot of chronic pain conditions and is used in fibromyalgia too. Unlike some muscle relaxers, it has an effect in the central nervous system, ie/brain. I don't know if that is the one your doc was thinking of or if it is right for you, that is for you to discuss with them as they know your full medical history.

I would say a really good test is what makes the pain at the base of your skull go away? Do you have an acute med for migraine that does work like a triptan? If that makes the skull pain go away it is probably migraine.

It is VERY difficult to parse out neck pain and migraine. The nerves from the upper neck are part of the migraine circuit of nerves--they all connect! So migraine can cause pain in the neck, and pain in the neck can cause migraine!! And it can be so hard to tell.....just when I thought I have it figured out, I don't! I think that some days it is the head, other days the neck, that is the trigger. I have found that the best way to deal with it is to address both. Anything that helps the neck is likely to help the head, and vice versa.

I have tried acupuncture and it didn't help me. I don't think I went to the right provider. It has good evidence behind it and is reasonable to try. Ask your doctor or other folks you know in your area if they have a good acupuncturist they can recommend.

Chiropractor, might be best to avoid. At least anyone who does traditional adjustments, the abrupt movements of the neck. They are not recommended by most doctors, especially neurologists, for the neck. Usually they are ok with people seeing them for their back, but not their neck. Those types of adjustments that move the neck abruptly can cause injury to the vertebral arteries that are right along the spine in the neck. These are 2 of the major arteries to the brain and while this is a rare complication, it can lead to stroke. I know someone who it happened to. Fortunately for him, it was a small stroke. However, I am not your expert, please talk it over with your neurologist or other physician caring for you.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!