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Migraine Relief AND Prevention

Young man with strong migraine, isolated on white background

Migraine is the most common type of neuro-vascular headache.  And it can be extremely debilitating to our clients.  

Unfortunately, the most common drugs used to “treat” them can have major, long-term side effects in the GI tract which tend to create disease elsewhere.  And over-use of  drugs (too long OR too much) can actually cause the very headaches they are trying to relieve!  Your patients and clients are HIGHLY unlikely to realize this fact – and thus realize the importance of addressing their headaches in other, truly healing ways.  

I want to share with you some key pearls about migraine right now.  Below is a specific set of remedies I have seen work many times in providing ongoing migraine prevention.  Fewer headaches.  Less intense.  Shorter.  And in some cases:  full relief.    They can take 2 or 3 months to achieve full effectiveness, so it’s important for your clients to be consistent and committed (and be sure to set their expectations properly!).   Of course, we want to be practicing in the true spirit of functional medicine!  Use this type of remedy for Rapid Relief while you delve into bio-individuality and support each unique patient or client in exploring and identifying their specific Root Causes of migraines beyond a need for these key nutrients.  

  • Riboflavin.  The lowly Vitamin B2 is a powerful remedy for migraine, activating the MTHFR enzyme needed for methylation and directly supporting cellular metabolism.  You will need 400-500mg once daily which is a therapeutic dose (and yes, an admittedly high one).  There is excellent research into this dynamic here and here.
  • CoQ10.  An absolutely critical enzyme for energy generation in our mitochondria (the little energy factories in every cell of our body; especially the heart and the brain).  For migraine, consider 100-150mg twice daily with food.  Be sure to use the ubiquinol or other enhanced absorption formula, especially for those over ~40 y/o (some of us lose our ability to convert ubiquinone to the reduced ubiquinol form as we age).  This has also been studied.  

For real-time migraine relief, it’s important to take action as soon as the first inklings of one appear.  Help your clients to choose to honor their body’s needs and slow down the process by lying down in a dark, quiet room and practice vagus-triggering breathing (e.g. box breathing).   A combination of lavender and peppermint essential oils can be quite powerful if used quickly and repeatedly to prevent a “spiraling-up” migraine or at least reduce the intensity.  Aromatherapy sounds weak to many people, but it’s been shown to be quite effectively.  In non-sensitive individuals, you may also dilute both with a carrier oil and apply topically (to the head and pulse points as well).  If you are interested in research findings about these oils, check out this and this as a starting point.

I hope this quick, clinical tip serves you and your clients!

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Marilyn Dellit
Marilyn Dellit

I know how crucial magnesium is for many processes within the body, and it is often recommended in SAFM posts. I am wondering when you suggest a combo Mag + Calcium, as this is often found in supplements with clients.
For example, would you recommend a combo Mg/Ca for clients above a certain age rather than Magnesium on it’s own?
Thank you!

SAFM Team
Reply to  Marilyn Dellit

It will always depend on the client and what are they truly wrestling with. We always emphasize the forms of minerals to choose those that are best absorbed and there is a lot to explore in the calcium-magnesium topic. Here are further posts that may be of interest to you:
https://schoolafm.com/ws_clinical_know/client-relief-magnesium-to-the-rescue/
https://schoolafm.com/ws_clinical_know/rheumatoid-and-osteo-arthritis-autoimmune-activation/
https://schoolafm.com/ws_clinical_know/from-3-drugs-to-none-hypertension-gone%e2%80%8f/
https://schoolafm.com/ws_clinical_know/myths-and-truths-about-plaque/

Jessie
Jessie

How would you address constipation in elderly (80s)with kidney disease where they can not take Mgcitrat

SAFM Team
Reply to  Jessie

There are many reasons why one may be constipated. Feel free to explore our free clinical course on this topic:
https://schoolafm.com/ws_clinical_know/curing-constipation/
The link is at the bottom of the article.

Kimberly Kopetseg
Kimberly Kopetseg

What is the mechanism of action for Evening Primrose oil (omega-6 fatty acid/anti- inflammatory prostaglandin) to cause a headache as a side effect since it is meant to help with PMS symptoms, hot flashes, etc.

SAFM Team

Headache, nausea, and diarrhea are the occasional effects related to evening primrose oil. Alas, the mechanism is not very well understood.
You may be interested in these articles that go more in-depth into the variety of EPO functions, effects on the body and potential minor side effects:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31497576/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20000302/

fitoru
fitoru

thanks for sharing your insights. More power

Wendy Silva
Wendy Silva

How long is it recommended they stay on these supplements? Is it short term to help while you look for the root cause of the migraines?

SAFM Team
Reply to  Wendy Silva

Indeed there is no ‘set-in-stone’ protocol for supplement use – some people will need a combination of the support listed in the article and some may need only one or two. Some will take these supplements for 2-3 months and feel great and some may need the support for a longer time. Thus, remembering and honoring the client’s unique body and situation, and going after the true root cause of the migraines is paramount and that’s what we teach at SAFM.

Claudine
Claudine

A client has suffered with migraines for years. She is using Thorne B basic and Thorne magnesium malate which have helped her. She went to her neurologist appt and they diagnosed her with occipital neuralgia. Do you know what that is and what causes that? They prescribed her with 100 mg of gabapentin and are scheduling her for an MRI.

Lynne

I didn’t realize you all worked with migraine headaches. I am a Board Certified Health Coach (AADP) and this is my area of expertise.

Lynne Wadsworth
Reply to  SAFM Team

You are right. It is a much needed area. I love to help people incorporate some holistic methods into migraine therapy.