Why Treating Migraines Without Using a Functional Medicine Approach Often Fails
Migraines are a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, intense headaches often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sound. The underlying cause involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
1. Genetics: There's a clear genetic component to migraines. If your parents or close relatives experience migraines, you may be more predisposed to them. Specific genes associated with migraine susceptibility have been identified, although the interplay between genetics and environmental factors is complex.
2. Neurological Factors: Migraines are linked to abnormal brain activity, particularly involving nerve pathways and neurotransmitters. The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, but it's thought that a wave of electrical activity spreads across the brain, triggering various changes and resulting in the symptoms associated with migraines.
3. Triggers: Migraines often have triggers that can vary from person to person. Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes (especially in women), certain foods (like chocolate, cheese, and processed meats), changes in sleep patterns, and environmental factors such as bright lights or strong odors or even changes in barometric pressure.
4. Changes in Blood Flow: During a migraine, there are changes in blood flow in the brain. Blood vessels may constrict (narrow) and then dilate (widen), leading to the throbbing pain characteristic of migraines.
5. Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormones, especially estrogen, play a role in migraines, which is why many women experience migraines in connection with their menstrual cycle.
Migraines can be notoriously challenging to treat with traditional medical approaches for several reasons:
1. Complex Causes: Migraines have a multifaceted origin involving genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Traditional approaches often target one aspect of the condition, but the complexity of its causes may require a more comprehensive and personalized treatment plan. So too, with functional medicine’s focus on “testing not guessing,” to analyze many more health variables than traditional doctors would do, functional practitioners are better at determining root causes in the first place.
2. Individual Variability: Migraines vary widely among individuals. What works for one person may not be effective for another. The uniqueness of triggers and responses to treatment makes it difficult to find a one-size-fits-all solution.
3. Incomplete Understanding: While significant progress has been made in understanding migraines, there's still much we don't know about the precise mechanisms and factors involved. This knowledge gap limits the development of highly targeted treatments.
4. Overreliance on Pain Management: Traditional approaches often focus on pain relief after the migraine has started rather than preventing its occurrence. While pain management is crucial, a more proactive strategy to prevent or reduce the frequency of migraines is often necessary.
5. Side Effects: Some medications used to manage migraines can have side effects that impact an individual's quality of life. Finding a balance between effective treatment and tolerable side effects can be a delicate process.
6. Patient Compliance: Adherence to treatment plans, lifestyle modifications, and medication regimens is essential for managing migraines. However, achieving and maintaining patient compliance can be challenging.
Given these challenges, a functional medicine approach to migraine management is increasingly favored. At Tendwell, we manage many patients’ migraines and have provided relief where many thought it was impossible. An integrative and functional approach may include identifying and avoiding triggers, making lifestyle modifications, stress management, and using medications that target the specific aspects of migraines for an individual. If you're experiencing migraines, make an appointment today to find out about a Tendwell membership.
