Healing Beyond the Pain: A Root Cause Approach to Migraines
I get asked all the time - what does a consult look like? And then what does following a functional medicine path look like?
If you’ve struggled with chronic migraines, you know how frustrating it can be to chase temporary relief without ever finding lasting healing. Too often, conventional medicine offers only quick fixes—prescriptions that dull the pain but fail to address why migraines happen in the first place. In my practice, I take a different approach. I believe that migraines are not just a head problem, but a full-body imbalance driven by factors like hormones, gut health, inflammation, and toxicity. In this blog, I’ll walk you through a real-life case study—an example of how I uncover the root causes behind migraines and craft a personalized plan for true, long-term relief. Whether you’re new to holistic healing or searching for deeper answers, this insight will give you a window into how I view your symptoms—not as random occurrences, but as signals from your body, guiding us toward real solutions and the healing you deserve.
Case Study: Chronic Migraine in a 38-Year-Old Female
Presenting Symptoms:
10+ years of chronic migraines (4-5 per week)
Worse around menstruation and after consuming wine, cheese, or chocolate
Fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and intermittent diarrhea
History of childhood mold exposure (grew up in a basement-level home)
High stress, difficulty falling asleep
Step 1: Functional Medicine Evaluation
Comprehensive Intake & Timeline Analysis
Migraine history: Migraines began worsening after pregnancy, which suggested hormonal shifts.
Dietary history: Certain foods triggered migraines, indicating histamine intolerance.
Toxin exposure: Childhood mold exposure and adult stress pointed to detoxification issues.
Sleep & nervous system: Poor sleep hygiene, high stress, and possible vagus nerve dysfunction were contributing factors.
Functional Lab Testing Ordered
DUTCH Hormone Test – Checked for estrogen dominance, progesterone, and adrenal health.
GI-MAP Stool Test – Evaluated gut microbiome, inflammation, and potential infections.
Mycotoxin Panel – Assessed mold toxicity (urine test).
Nutrient Panel – Checked magnesium, B vitamins, CoQ10, and mitochondrial markers.
Organic Acids Test (OAT) – Evaluated detox pathways, neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress.
Step 2: Key Findings
Hormonal Imbalance
High estrogen, low progesterone (classic estrogen dominance).
Adrenal dysfunction: Low morning cortisol, high evening cortisol (stress-related).
Gut Dysbiosis & Leaky Gut
Elevated zonulin (marker for leaky gut).
SIBO-positive (bloating and histamine intolerance connection).
Mold & Detox Issues
High ochratoxin A & mycophenolic acid (common mycotoxins from mold exposure).
Slow Phase II liver detox pathways – Impaired estrogen clearance.
Nutrient & Mitochondrial Deficiencies
Low magnesium, riboflavin (B2), CoQ10 – All crucial for migraine prevention.
Elevated oxidative stress markers – Indicating mitochondrial dysfunction.
Step 3: Treatment Plan
1. Hormonal Balancing & Liver Support
DIM + Calcium D-Glucarate – Helped with estrogen detoxification.
Bioidentical Progesterone (Luteal Phase Only) – Supported hormonal balance.
Adrenal Adaptogens – Ashwagandha & rhodiola to balance cortisol levels.
2. Gut Healing & Histamine Regulation
Low-Histamine Diet – Removed fermented foods, aged cheeses, and histamine-liberating foods.
Probiotics & Gut Repair – Introduced spore-based probiotics + L-glutamine for gut lining repair.
SIBO Protocol – Berberine + oregano oil, followed by gut repopulation. Microbiiome lab SIBO protocol after removing mycotoxins x 3 months.
3. Detoxification & Mold Treatment
Binders (Activated Charcoal + Chlorella) – Supported mold detox.
Sauna & Lymphatic Support – Encouraged toxin release.
Liver Support (Milk Thistle, NAC, Dandelion Tea) – Enhanced detox pathways.
4. Mitochondrial & Nervous System Support
Magnesium Glycinate & CoQ10 – Directly improved mitochondrial function.
Cold Therapy & Vagus Nerve Activation – Stimulated parasympathetic healing.
5. Sleep & Stress Reduction
Blue Light Blocking & Sleep Hygiene – Reset circadian rhythm.
Breathwork & Meditation – Shifted from sympathetic overdrive to relaxation.
Outcome After 3 Months
✅ Migraine frequency reduced from 4-5 per week to 1-2 per month
✅ Energy levels improved (less brain fog & fatigue)
✅ Gut symptoms significantly reduced (less bloating, better digestion)
✅ Better sleep & hormonal balance (no more extreme PMS symptoms)
Final Adjustments & Maintenance
Continued low-histamine diet for another 3 months while reintroducing foods slowly.
Focused on emotional healing (therapy, journaling) for stress resilience.
Long-term hormone & mitochondrial support with magnesium, CoQ10, and cycle syncing.
Conclusion
By addressing hormonal imbalances, gut dysfunction, detoxification pathways, and mitochondrial health, we were able to reduce migraine frequency and improve overall resilience. The key was customizing the approach based on her individual biochemistry and root causes.
Pitfalls & Strengths of Conventional Medicine in Migraine Treatment
Conventional medicine has made significant advances in managing migraines, especially in acute care, but it also has limitations when it comes to addressing root causes. Patients seeking a long-term solution should be aware of both strengths and pitfalls to make informed decisions.
Pitfalls of Conventional Medicine
1. Symptom Suppression Without Addressing Root Causes
Conventional treatment primarily focuses on symptom relief through medications like triptans, CGRP inhibitors, NSAIDs, and beta-blockers.
These drugs do not address underlying triggers such as hormonal imbalances, gut health, mold toxicity, or mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to recurring migraines despite treatment.
2. Over-Reliance on Medications with Side Effects
Triptans & CGRP Inhibitors: While effective for acute migraine relief, they can cause rebound headaches, dependency, and long-term cardiovascular risks.
NSAIDs & Pain Relievers: Chronic use can damage gut lining, contribute to leaky gut, and lead to liver and kidney stress.
Antidepressants & Anti-Seizure Medications (e.g., amitriptyline, topiramate): Can be helpful for some but often come with brain fog, fatigue, and weight changes.
3. Lack of Personalized & Preventative Care
Conventional medicine often applies one-size-fits-all protocols rather than addressing individual root causes.
Preventative strategies such as hormone balancing, gut healing, and detoxification are rarely considered in mainstream care.
4. Overlooking Gut-Brain & Inflammatory Connections
The gut-brain axis, leaky gut, and histamine intolerance play a crucial role in migraine frequency, but conventional medicine rarely evaluates gut health in migraine patients.
Inflammatory markers (CRP, cytokines) and mitochondrial function are rarely tested, even though they directly impact migraine susceptibility.
5. Inadequate Focus on Environmental & Lifestyle Factors
Mold toxicity, heavy metals, EMF sensitivity, and endocrine disruptors are well-documented contributors to neurological dysfunction but are often ignored in conventional medicine.
Stress, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation are underestimated as migraine triggers.
Strengths of Conventional Medicine
1. Effective Acute & Emergency Care
For severe, intractable migraines, triptans and CGRP inhibitors can provide rapid relief when needed.
In emergency cases (e.g., migraine with aura, hemiplegic migraine, stroke risk), conventional medicine provides critical intervention.
2. Advanced Diagnostics & Imaging
MRI, CT scans, and neurological evaluations are crucial to rule out brain tumors, vascular abnormalities, or other serious conditions.
Conventional medicine excels at identifying red-flag symptoms that may require urgent attention.
3. Some Preventative Medications Help Certain Patients
Beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants can help reduce migraine frequency in some individuals, especially those unresponsive to other treatments.
4. Increasing Research on Migraine Pathways
There is growing awareness of neurological inflammation, CGRP pathways, and mitochondrial dysfunction in migraine research.
New medications such as Gepants (e.g., Nurtec, Ubrelvy) and Ditans (e.g., Reyvow) are being developed with fewer side effects.
Functional Medicine Perspective: The Best of Both Worlds
The ideal approach integrates conventional medicine’s strengths (for diagnostics and acute management) with functional medicine’s focus on root causes and long-term healing.
How Patients Can Take a Holistic Approach:
✅ Use conventional medicine for acute relief and safety, but don’t rely solely on medications.
✅ Work with functional and naturopathic practitioners to address root causes (hormones, gut, toxins, mitochondria).
✅ Consider comprehensive lab testing beyond standard medical panels.
✅ Prioritize nutrition, stress reduction, detoxification, and nervous system regulation.
While conventional medicine excels in acute and emergency migraine care, it falls short in long-term, root-cause-driven solutions. A functional medicine approach helps identify and correct underlying imbalances, leading to sustained relief and true healing.
Pitfalls & Strengths of Holistic Care in Migraine Treatment
Holistic care offers a root-cause-driven, whole-body approach to migraine healing, emphasizing lifestyle, nutrition, detoxification, and mind-body balance. While it often leads to long-term relief, there are both strengths and limitations that patients should be aware of when choosing this path.
Pitfalls of Holistic Care
1. Lack of Immediate Symptom Relief
Unlike conventional medicine, which provides rapid pain relief through medications, holistic care takes time as it works on underlying imbalances rather than just symptoms.
Patients seeking instant migraine relief may struggle with the patience required for deep healing.
2. Trial & Error in Finding the Root Cause
Migraine triggers are highly individual, and holistic medicine requires comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the right treatment.
Patients may go through multiple diet/lifestyle changes, detox protocols, and functional tests before finding what works.
3. Lack of Accessibility & Insurance Coverage
Many holistic and functional medicine treatments are not covered by insurance, making care less accessible for some patients.
Specialized testing (e.g., DUTCH hormone test, mycotoxin panels, gut microbiome tests) can be expensive and not always covered by conventional insurance plans.
4. Inconsistencies in Practitioner Training
The quality of holistic care varies based on the practitioner's background (some are highly trained, while others may lack rigorous education).
Patients need to vet their practitioners carefully to ensure they are experienced in evidence-based, root-cause migraine treatment.
5. Requires High Patient Commitment & Lifestyle Change
Unlike a quick-fix medication, holistic healing demands dietary adjustments, detox support, stress management, and long-term consistency.
Patients who are unwilling or unable to make lifestyle changes (e.g., eliminating inflammatory foods, improving sleep, reducing environmental toxins) may not see full benefits.
Strengths of Holistic Care
1. Addresses the Root Causes for Long-Term Relief
Unlike conventional medicine, which manages symptoms, holistic care seeks to eliminate the triggers and imbalances causing migraines.
It takes into account hormonal health, gut function, detox pathways, mitochondrial function, and nervous system regulation—all key migraine drivers.
2. Personalized & Whole-Person Approach
Recognizes that every migraine patient is different and tailors treatment based on genetics, lifestyle, environment, and metabolic health.
Evaluates the gut-brain connection, hormone fluctuations, toxin burden, and emotional health rather than just focusing on the head pain itself.
3. No Dependency on Pharmaceuticals
Unlike conventional medications, which can cause dependency, side effects, and rebound headaches, holistic approaches focus on natural interventions such as:
Magnesium, CoQ10, riboflavin (B2) for mitochondrial health
Adaptogens for adrenal and hormonal balance
Herbs like feverfew & butterbur for inflammation reduction
Detoxification support (mold binders, liver cleansers, gut repair)
4. Reduces Systemic Inflammation & Improves Overall Health
Many migraine patients also suffer from fatigue, brain fog, gut issues, and hormonal imbalances—holistic care treats all these interconnected factors.
Anti-inflammatory diets, nervous system regulation, and detoxification often lead to improvements beyond migraine relief (better digestion, mental clarity, and energy).
5. Strengthens the Nervous System & Resilience to Triggers
Unlike conventional medicine, which suppresses symptoms, holistic care builds resilience so the body can handle stressors more effectively.
Incorporates mind-body healing techniques such as:
Vagus nerve activation (breathwork, cold therapy, HRV training)
Trauma-informed care (emotional healing, somatic therapy)
Sleep optimization (circadian rhythm support, blue light reduction)
Functional Medicine Perspective: The Best of Both Worlds
While holistic care is the best choice for long-term healing, combining it with the strengths of conventional medicine can provide a comprehensive, integrative approach:
✅ Use holistic care to identify and heal root causes.
✅ Use conventional medicine for immediate symptom relief when necessary.
✅ Work with a functional medicine practitioner to bridge both approaches for a sustainable, science-backed solution.
Holistic care excels in long-term migraine prevention by healing the root causes, but it requires commitment, patience, and personalized care. Conventional medicine provides short-term relief but lacks depth in addressing underlying imbalances. The best outcomes come from a balanced, integrative approach that combines holistic healing with strategic use of conventional tools when necessary.
If this speaks to you - book a consult. You won’t be sorry you did!