Brain Health D.C.

What Are Migraines, Really?

Migraines are not just headaches—they are neurological events involving a complex cascade of brain activity that leads to symptoms affecting the entire nervous system. At the core of a migraine is a hypersensitive brain, where certain areas become overstimulated and misfire in response to routine sensory input. This overactivity can disrupt pain regulation, vascular function, and sensory processing, often resulting in debilitating symptoms that extend far beyond head pain.

Key Migraine Symptoms

While migraine symptoms can vary widely, common features include:

• Throbbing or pulsating head pain, often on one side
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia) and/or sound (phonophobia)
• Visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or blind spots (known as aura)
• Fatigue, irritability, or “hangover” symptoms that persist after the pain subsides

Types of Migraines

Understanding the type of migraine a person experiences is key to developing an effective care strategy. Common categories include:

• Migraine with Aura: Includes sensory disturbances like visual flashes or tingling sensations that occur before or during the headache phase.
• Migraine without Aura: The most common type, often involving pain and sensory sensitivities without preceding neurological signs.
• Vestibular Migraine: Characterized by dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and motion sensitivity, with or without head pain.
• Hemiplegic Migraine: A rare but serious form that includes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, often mimicking stroke symptoms.

Chronic vs. Episodic Migraines

Migraines are classified based on their frequency:

• Episodic migraines occur fewer than 15 days per month.
• Chronic migraines are defined as headaches on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months, with at least 8 of those days showing migraine features.

Why Medication Isn’t Always Enough

Symptom Control, Not Root Cause Resolution

Acute migraine medications like triptans or NSAIDs are designed to reduce pain and inflammation during an attack. While they may offer temporary relief, they do not prevent future migraines or correct the underlying neurological dysfunction that causes them. As a result, many patients find themselves trapped in a cycle of recurring attacks, always chasing symptoms.

The Risk of Rebound Headaches

Frequent use of acute medications can lead to medication-overuse headaches (MOH), also known as rebound headaches. This condition occurs when the brain becomes dependent on medication to regulate pain, ultimately worsening headache frequency. Ironically, the more medication is used to control migraines, the more likely it may be contributing to their persistence.

Preventive Medications Have Their Limits

Some patients are prescribed preventive medications—such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants—to reduce migraine frequency. These drugs are often repurposed from other conditions and can come with side effects like fatigue, dizziness, weight changes, or mood disturbances. For many, these trade-offs are difficult to tolerate—and for others, the medications simply don’t work.

Root Causes of Migraines from a Functional Medicine Perspective

Hormonal Imbalances

Fluctuations in hormones—particularly estrogen—can trigger migraines, especially in women. Estrogen dominance, which often occurs in the days before menstruation, can heighten inflammation and vascular sensitivity. Thyroid dysfunction, especially undiagnosed hypothyroidism, can also affect neurological function and pain perception.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Several nutrients play key roles in regulating inflammation, mitochondrial function, and neurotransmission:

• Magnesium: Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including nerve function and muscle relaxation.
• B vitamins: Especially B2 (riboflavin), which supports energy metabolism.
• CoQ10: A mitochondrial coenzyme that supports cellular energy and has been shown to reduce migraine frequency in some individuals.

Food Triggers and Sensitivities

Certain foods can provoke migraines through inflammation, histamine release, or changes in vascular tone. Common triggers include:

• Gluten
• Aged cheeses
• Processed meats with nitrates
• Red wine
• MSG or artificial additives

Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction

The connection between the gut and brain is significant. Leaky gut, dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria), or chronic gastrointestinal inflammation can activate immune responses that impact the brain. This low-grade inflammation can sensitize neural pathways, increasing migraine susceptibility.

Environmental Toxicity

Chronic exposure to mold, heavy metals, or chemical toxins can impair the body’s detoxification pathways and burden the nervous system. These exposures are often overlooked in standard care, yet can be major contributors to migraine activity.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondria are the energy factories of our cells, including brain cells. When their function is impaired—by toxins, inflammation, or genetic vulnerabilities—neurons become less resilient and more prone to overreaction, setting the stage for migraines.

Chronic Stress and Adrenal Dysregulation

Ongoing stress dysregulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, affecting cortisol rhythms and nervous system tone. This can heighten sensitivity to pain, reduce sleep quality, and increase migraine frequency.

Non-Drug Therapies That Work

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

HBOT delivers concentrated oxygen to the body under controlled pressure, which:

• Enhances cellular repair and regeneration
• Reduces neuroinflammation
• Improves cerebral blood flow

Neurofeedback and BrainTap

These therapies target brainwave regulation and autonomic nervous system balance:

• Neurofeedback trains the brain to shift out of stress-dominant patterns that trigger or prolong migraines.
• BrainTap combines light, sound, and guided relaxation to calm overactive neural circuits, improve sleep, and lower stress hormone levels—factors that directly impact migraine threshold.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Using cold laser devices, LLLT stimulates mitochondrial energy production and reduces inflammatory cytokines. This therapy helps:

• Restore cellular metabolism
• Relieve pain and muscle tension
• Support overall neurological function

Ocular and Vestibular Rehabilitation

For individuals with vestibular migraines or migraines triggered by visual motion or imbalance, we offer:

• Eye tracking and gaze stabilization exercises
• Visual-vestibular retraining to restore equilibrium
• Integration of sensory input to reduce sensory overload

Chiropractic and Cranial Adjustments

Migraines are often linked to mechanical tension in the cervical spine and cranial structures. Through gentle, specific adjustments, we work to:

• Restore proper spinal alignment
• Improve cerebrospinal fluid circulation
• Alleviate pressure on pain-sensitive structures

Nutritional and Lifestyle Strategies

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Migraine Prevention

Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to migraine activity. An anti-inflammatory approach to eating emphasizes:

• Whole foods: organic vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats
• Eliminating triggers: gluten, dairy, processed sugars, and known additives
• Boosting omega-3s (from fish or flax) and antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress

Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

Even mild dehydration can reduce blood flow to the brain and trigger migraines. Ensuring consistent intake of water and electrolytes (especially magnesium, sodium, and potassium) is crucial—particularly in warmer climates or for those prone to sweating or adrenal dysregulation.

Meal Timing and Blood Sugar Regulation

Blood sugar swings are a common migraine trigger. Skipping meals, fasting improperly, or eating high-sugar foods can create neurological instability. Support stable blood sugar by:

• Eating balanced meals with protein, fat, and fiber
• Avoiding long gaps between meals
• Limiting processed carbohydrates and refined sugars

Sleep Hygiene and Circadian Alignment

Sleep is when the brain resets and detoxifies. Poor sleep—either too little or disrupted patterns—can sensitize the brain to migraine triggers. Support optimal rest with:

• A consistent sleep schedule
• Reduced exposure to blue light before bed
• A dark, cool, and quiet sleep environment
• Limiting caffeine and stimulants in the afternoon

Stress Management and Nervous System Reset

Stress is one of the most consistent triggers for migraines. But rather than eliminating stress (often impossible), focus on regulating your response to it:

• Vagal nerve stimulation (such as humming, gargling, or cold exposure)
• Breathwork to activate the parasympathetic nervous system
• Mind-body practices like gentle yoga, meditation, or guided visualization

Migraines Are Manageable, Naturally

Migraines are complex—driven by a combination of neurological, hormonal, metabolic, and environmental factors. While medications may provide short-term symptom relief, they often don’t address the root cause or prevent recurrence.

The good news? Relief doesn’t have to come from a pill bottle. Through functional neurology and medicine, it’s possible to retrain the brain, reduce inflammation, support energy metabolism, and uncover the specific triggers contributing to your migraine pattern.

At Brain Health D.C., we help patients move from managing symptoms to restoring resilience. Migraines don’t have to control your days, your plans, or your future.

You don’t have to settle for temporary relief or daily disruption. If you're ready to explore a personalized, whole-body approach to living migraine-free, we're here to help.

• Schedule a consultation: Click here to book
• Contact us: Email infochiro@fitnessgenome.net or call (858) 208-0710
• Learn more: Visit our pages on Our Services and Who We Help

‍