A lot has been written about migraine and everyone who is under this fire knows exactly what it is like to have it. This is why, I am presenting my own experience here, without claiming to be complete, hoping, however, that, having overcome it, I have something useful to share.
What I found is that modern medicine doesn’t treat the root causes behind which sits pain, high blood pressure, Iron deficiency, etc. It has excelled at suppressing those symptoms, which may eventually require an increase in the dose or a substitute for a stronger drug, and, thus, only exacerbating the root cause. This may lead to addiction to one or a group of drugs, which draws the "patient" into a vicious circle with increasingly strong drug use.
I will always remember the day when I was given 2 tiny rice-size pills a pink and a blue one and I was warned to go to bed under my blanket before I taking them. That’s exactly what I did and I woke up 16 hours later. The excruciating pain was gone, but at what cost?
I have succeeded and almost forgot about migraine, thanks to changes in my lifestyle and diet. Not every step is a necessary and obligatory condition, but I know how I was ready to do anything to get rid of this annoying episodic pain. I am not going into the details neither into systematic justification of these steps, in order to keep those — interested for answers — focused.
Here are my steps to a lmigraine free life.
Recreational drugs
More than 20 years ago, I quit smoking, alcohol and coffee. These were my recreational drugs and no matter what are yours, it's for your benefit to ditch them either using a therapist or your own will. This way I noticed how light and smooth I was in the mornings or the afternoons and this was my first small victory.
Holistic practices
The first acupuncture I had was an amazing success. For all this time, I visited two specialists: one was a Russian school graduate, and the other — a French one. The therapeutic and lymphatic drainage massage are also a pleasant and very successful means with people with Aichmophobia (needle phobia). The sucking cups and the moxibustion very successfully enhance their effect. In order to benefit more from energy practices, I took classes in reiki and in radiesthesia with excellent specialists. So I, myself began to control my root causes and pain attacks, not always resorting to the painkiller.
Nutrition: Elimination
Max Gerson successfully developed his migraine treatment protocol more than 100 years ago eliminating the dairy from the diet. Ever since I started reading his daughter’s (Charlotte Gerson) book, I ditched them completely, and by the time I finished it, I was already a vegan (with the exception of my leather wallet). Later on, I experimented eliminating the gluten and the sugar, too. As a result of that, I began clearing my thoughts and mind, which helped me realize my calling and my vocation.
Nutrition: Fasting
Different cultures have their own typical ways of reducing food intake or fasting during certain periods of the year. I experimented with Ekadashi, the wheat regimen and the Orthodox fasts (prior Christmas, Easter, etc.). Thus, I’ve experienced the delightful raw food diet and its benefits on my body and metabolism during the hottest days of the summer.
Nutrition: Entertainment
No food consumption in excess may be any good. If you realize that you crave sweet, salty, fatty, chocolate and you binge on them emotionally, then, they have become a recreational drugs for you. Understanding that and controlling your cravings is of great importance. And water turns out to be an excellent tool for it and it's a good beginning. It continues with a simple check-up — called mindful eating. It means to just place your hand over your stomach and "hear" if it’s rumbling before you reach out for food. In Japan they eat only up to 80% of the stomach. Peter Dounov has once advised to leave room for another 20 bites when you stop eating. Tibetan monks chew until the solid food is liquefied and the until liquid solidifies. Wherever you find your answer, keep in mind that food has long become an entertainment industry (e.g. hot-dog eating competition), and a healthy person has no place in there.
Psychoanalysis, NLP, family constellations and self-improvement
I witnessed a great progress in working with a wonderful psychoanalyst, with whom I consolidated a breakthrough in this direction taken working originally with NLP and family constipation. As it turned out, I had images of a stern grandfather and a demanding father in my head, so I would constantly be smashing my head against the wall to please them. I have come to acknowledge that I am the most important person in my life, and during our family conversations, we’ve learned to keep reminding this ourselves. Louise Hay had already pulled that string of self-love, which vibrated well in me and helped me dare improve my life. I had by that time become someone better.
Lifestyle change: Career
By definition, everyone knows the work is a source of great stress, and when the moment came, I didn’t hesitate to take a step for a change. No business success shall be at the expense of your peace and happiness. I’ve started doing what I love and I deem this is the way I fulfill my mission to help people in a better way.
Lifestyle Change: Relationships
The same way the career does, the toxic relationships can bring a lot of pain and disappointments. Having realized that driving a car was frustrating for me, I sold my car and started traveling by train and subway. I’ve accepted myself and freed myself from the need to be liked and accepted at any cost. Anyone who’s rejected me has helped me find a wonderful person who has later become my partner and soulmate. Saying F**k it to a lot of things was very relieving, because I'm not a pizza to be liked by everyone, I can't fix everything.
Temperature difference and aromatherapy
I found that migraine pain may be soothed well for a while when I’m having ice compresses over the head area of pain. I have also successfully achieved similar effect with a cooling tiger balm, soothing also with its fragrance. Same effect may have ribbing with Wintergreen essential oil. It’s worth mentioning the enhanced effect of a hot bath — either of the whole body or even only of the legs — in addition to the cold head compresses. I would pressed my thumb with a drop of frankincense essential oil to the roof of the mouth first, and later time I would have a drop of petitgrain under my tongue.
Herbs
The herbs have had different strength and effect but the herbalists rarely share their detailed recipes. So, I wouldn’t mention specific names. Search out and don't give up. A big breakthrough and the last piece of the puzzle for me has turned out to be the Traditional Chinese medicine with two herbs: 4 part of Umbelliferae (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and 1 part of Gastrodia (Gastrodia Elata BL), infused in boiling water.
Working out
I share the vision the sports in your favorite way and format (running, tai chi, swimming, gymnastics, etc.) are an excellent means to improve overall well-being but when your head hurt, it's maybe better to give yourself a break, instead of trying at all costs not to "skip your day", "miss an offer" or "finish your series". Physical activity, like anything else in life, shall bring your pleasure and be a source of joy.
It is still widely believe in the Western civilization that innovators and swimming against the current gives birth to the most successful people. I acknowledge this fact. Peace and tranquility, however, are located downstream. Also there, your may come across much more confirmed answers and working solutions than in the fight against windmills. Changed your mind to change your life.