What is A Migraine Telling You?
Could it be that a migraine is an opportunity for the nervous system to reset? And therefore not a bad thing?
I'm going to tell you my light bulb moment that changed, or rather added to, my already changing view on health systems.
I used to suffer quite extensively from migraines. They had gotten to be multiple times a week and it really got to the point of feeling very hopeless. While I was doing the work I ended up identifying various triggers. Layer by layer I worked to resolve them and the migraines decreased significantly, down to just one cause. I learned what was behind them and for the most part was able to do the work. I will still get one from time to time with fluctuating hormone levels or when I haven't been doing the work with external stressors, but I have an action plan to follow now instead of being in despair. I know self regulating skills now and teach them to others.
But back to the story of the lightbulb moment. At my last memorable worst migraine it was 4 days after and I suddenly realized that I was not buzzing from the hum of stress and anxiety that had plagued me in the weeks prior to this last migraine. I paid attention to what was different, to what had changed. The only thing that had changed was that I had had a migraine. The light bulb flashed on and I thought wow what if a migraine is helpful? What if a migraine is an opportunity for the nervous system to reset? Because it literally felt that that is what happened. My neurosystem got so overwhelmed that it needed to do this without my permission, but in order for my protection.
Migraine is a neurological condition.
A migraine is a type of headache that is characterized by a severe and throbbing pain, typically felt on one side of the head. Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to several days and are often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances.
Migraines are a neurological condition that is believed to be caused by changes in the brain and the surrounding blood vessels. It is not fully understood why some people are more susceptible to migraines than others, but there are several factors that have been identified as triggers for migraines, including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, changes in sleep patterns, and environmental factors. Now, I’m believing there is another cause.
Out of innate knowingness my body knew how to stop and regulate. Since it caused pain I was willing to define it as “bad”. However now I look at migraines differently. In fact I look at all health symptoms differently. I ask the question, “What sense of protection is my body operating off of? How is it trying to keep me safe?” And I usually get an interesting insight.
What Stress Has To Do With It
This light bulb moment provided me with a whole new perspective of the neurological system. It is why I got into studying psychoneuroimmunology and adding trauma nutrition to my practice. Here’s why:
Our bodies are constantly scanning to identify threat. Threat activates the body’s stress or protective systems, which influence hormones, breath, and muscles, and tells the immune system what it needs. Essentially, it sets the stage for how the rest of the body behaves.
Stress can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health, and it can often manifest in the form of various symptoms. When we experience stress, our bodies release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to changes in our physiology and affect different systems in our bodies.
Some common physical symptoms of stress include headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, stomach problems, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. These symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the type and severity of the stressor.
Stress can also affect our mental health and lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. It can also exacerbate existing mental health conditions.
Overall, stress can have a significant impact on our overall well-being, and it is important to address it and manage it effectively to prevent or reduce the symptoms it can cause.
The Problem is Chronic
The problem is chronicity. I believe the continual perpetuation of stress has confused our nervous systems. The body is set up to deal with stress as a regulating way to keep us safe. However it is meant to see the stress, handle the stress and pass on from this stress. Today not only do we have external stress factors based on our day-to-day tasks and to dos and expectations but we have the internal stressors of dysfunction.
Our society is set up for social cues of acquisition not for safety and this is where we have gotten off track. The cues we monitor is how well we are doing based on how much we can perform and acquire. The cues that we use to judge our performance are not based on feelings of safety, well-being, or okay-ness. So we run through life like a hamster on a wheel using the social cues of productivity and “how much stuff we have” to let us know if we are doing a good job.
How can we change these social cues where safety and well-being becomes our priority?
Individually there are many things that we can do. Individually we can create social rehabilitation. We can make a world where at least the people in our world feel safe with us.
We can:
Practice “re-tuning” and self compassion.
When we feel a feeling that doesn't feel good we can take the time to go within and understand what it's telling us.
With others we can mirror safety and resiliency the voice carries the states of the vagus nerve and so our own fears and anxieties can come across very impactful to the person we're talking to.
Our facial expressions and body mannerisms can signal to others their safety or they can signal a threat.
As a goal we need to give up a sensitivity, a vigilance to cues of threat and learn to distinguish live deadly threat from the threats of feelings of inadequacy or emotional safety.
When working with others it's not: “Do I love?” but, “Does my love come through?”
How can healthcare help bring about change?
In a therapeutic setting like our clinic, we have a four phase process.
In Phase 1, part of what we do is signify what's important to this person. This might mean we use some of those gap assessments, the things that go beyond “normal”. We use genetic testing and analyze genes for nutritional and lifestyle program development. This allows us to see the stage the body is built upon and learn the specific details for how this individual might experience life the best. For example, with one client with cholesterol concerns we did this gap assessment. We analyzed her genetic blueprint and discovered that the risk wasn't because of cardiovascular genes but because of her levels of stress and how her body handled it. Cortisol, that protective stress hormone, requires cholesterol. A person in a chronically stressful living can demand more and more production of cholesterol from the body. The action plan for this looks very different in that situation. See an example of a genetic protocol here.
Important to this discussion is Phase 3 where we work to structure an environment and develop a plan of nervous system training and lifestyle skills that work towards our clients goals.
Phase 4 we then streamline the process by practicing and maintaining a lifestyle of purposeful action that Phase 3 identified.
You can see why we need a therapeutic management program! Often times the real course of well-being is a retraining or even an “un-training” of all we thought we previously correct. Answering the need of individuals to know basic self regulating skills empowers them to take charge of their health. Sometimes all It takes is looking at the situation from a different angle so you can have your own lightbulb moments.
If you suffer from migraines, or an abundance of stress/anxiety, start now. Start where you’re at with what you’ve got. There are multiple leveled options and none of them are wrong, any of them will be a step in the right direction.
Dip your toe in with a $60 consultation, get started with Comprehensive Assessment and Consultation $320, or finally make the commitment that this year will set the stage for all your years to be different, to be intentional, to create health with your own wellness plan. Build your yearly plan here.
If you want to keep learning more about how I view anxiety differently, try this self-led course.
Amanda Plevell, PhD, MSCN, NMD, CNHP is a Board Certified Natural Medicine Practitioner and Clinical Nutritionist. Together with ANMC’s team of support professionals, she’s bringing the pieces of nutrition, the mind, and therapeutic ongoing relationships to the healthcare continuum. ANMC combines curated education programs with personalized plans that make it easy for anyone, anywhere to benefit from. Find out more here: anmcholistichealth.com
“Our unique offer fills in the gaps to complete your picture and provides a powerful therapeutic relationship for a complete whole health solution, because I know that our clients want to have all the pieces, education, and trust so that they can make informed decisions for themselves.”