Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches affect roughly 21% of women and 9% of men in the U.S. and are extremely debilitating for the affected individual(1). A migraine headache refers to an intense, painful pulsing or throbbing that typically occurs on one side of the head. Migraines are different from a normal headache in that they are often accompanied by nausea, light and/or sound sensitivity, and vomiting that significantly impairs daily living(2). Unfortunately, the primary treatment for migraines are medications that only relieve pain in the short-term and may cause side effects and overuse issues(3). While preventative migraine medications do exist, less than half of those with migraines use them due to the countless side-effects and poor efficacy(4, 5). We offer multiple therapies that have proven benefits for both acute and long-term migraine management.

 

Extivita Therapies for Migraine Headaches:

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Extivita Therapies Migraine Headaches:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Migraine Headaches

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Neurofeedback for Migraine Headaches

Neurofeedback

Supplements for Migraine Headaches

Supplements

IV Therapy for Migraine Headaches

Nutritional IV Therapy

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) for Migraine Headaches

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Migraine Headaches:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can relieve acute migraines by directly combating decreased oxygen levels (hypoxia)(6). Hypoxia is believed to trigger migraines by inducing something called cortical spreading depression (CSD), which results in suppressed brain activity and altered neural and vascular function(7). HBOT significantly increases oxygen concentration in the blood and tissues, thus resolving the issue of hypoxia and relieving migraine pain(8).

Inflammation in the brain is also believed to play some role in migraines, and HBOT has proven effects on reducing neuroinflammation(9, 10). The potential of these HBOT mechanisms to relieve acute migraines has been realized in multiple studies. Specifically, research suggests that HBOT can significantly relieve migraine symptoms when administered directly before or during a migraine attack(11, 12).

Benefits of HBOT for Migraine Headaches:

  1. Increases oxygen levels in the brain
  2. Increases blood flow in the brain
  3. Decreases neuroinflammation
Learn more about HBOT

Effects of HBOT on Migraine Headaches:

Grows New Blood Vessels

New Blood Vessel Formation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that were unable to get nutrients and oxygen.
Increases Stem Cell Production

Increased Stem Cell Activity

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.
Decreases Inflammation

Decreased Inflammation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces systemic inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory gene expression and decreasing proinflammatory genes.

Neurofeedback for Migraine Headaches:

Neurofeedback can be extremely effective in reducing the frequency, severity and duration of migraines. Common protocols for relieving migraines involve reducing theta (4-7 Hz) and high beta (20-30Hz), increasing low beta (12-15Hz), and sometimes increasing alpha (8-12Hz). The training location varies per patient, but the best results are typically seen when training over the frontal or central regions along the midline(13, 14, 15). These protocols can be highly effective because they help stabilize the brain hypersensitivity common in people with migraines(14, 16). While the number of required sessions varies per person, many people begin to notice a reduction in migraine frequency and severity within 5-8 sessions.

Common EEG Abnormalities in Migraine Headaches:

  1. Increased global relative theta activity (4-7Hz)(17-18, 20)
  2. Increased high beta activity (20-30Hz)(15, 21)
  3. Decreased alpha activity (8-12Hz)(18, 19)
Learn more about Neurofeedback

IV Therapy for Migraine Headaches:

The migraine IV contains magnesium and vitamin B6, both of which have proven benefits for relieving migraines. Magnesium has repeatedly been shown to reduce the frequency of migraines (how often they occur), as well as the severity of migraines(22, 23). Vitamin B6 reduces the severity and duration of migraines(24). Many patients report that the pain associated with their migraine is rapidly relieved following specialized migraine IV’s.

Benefits of IV Therapy for Migraine Headaches:

  1. Quickly Reduces Severity of Migraines
  2. Reduces Frequency of Migraines
  3. Reduces Duration of Migraines
Learn More About Nutritional IV Therapy
BEMER Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Durham, NC

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Migraine Headaches:

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) has proven to be effective in reducing migraine headaches. In multiple studies, migraineurs who received 10-20 PEMF sessions experienced a significant reduction in days with a migraine, duration of migraines, and severity of migraines(25-27). These improvements persisted for up to 8 months following the PEMF sessions, suggesting that PEMF may provide long-term relief of migraines(25, 26). Such benefits are likely due to PEMF’s ability to reduce hypoperfusion, which is a common issue in those with migraines(28). Other potential mechanisms include PEMF’s anti-inflammatory effects, it’s ability to increase serotonin and dopamine synthesis, and it’s benefits for mitochondria(29-31).

 

Benefits of PEMF for Migraine Headaches:

  1. Relieves migraine symptoms for up to 8 months
  2. Decreases the number of days with a migraine (migraine frequency)
  3. Decreases the duration of migraines
  4. Decreases the intensity of migraines​
Learn More About PEMF

News & Research for Migraine Headaches:

HBOT for Migraines: How It Works

HBOT for Migraines: How It Works

Jun 6, 2023 | ,

Heal Migraines With HBOT Migraine headaches are a complex and debilitating neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. These intense headaches can be accompanied by a range of symptoms, including severe pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and...

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Integrative Approaches to Treat Migraine Headaches

Integrative Approaches to Treat Migraine Headaches

Jan 19, 2021 |

The past 10 months have been a headache and, in anticipation of the long, trying winter weeks ahead, we are addressing a concern specific to an estimated 20% of the American population: migraine headaches. In fact, because they are often misdiagnosed, the percentage...

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  2. Migraine Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Migraine-Information-Page. Accessed 6 Nov. 2020.
  3. Ong, Jonathan Jia Yuan, and Milena De Felice. “Migraine Treatment: Current Acute Medications and Their Potential Mechanisms of Action.” Neurotherapeutics, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 2018, pp. 274–90. Springer Link, doi:10.1007/s13311-017-0592-1.
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  9. Malhotra, Rakesh. “Understanding Migraine: Potential Role of Neurogenic Inflammation.” Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, vol. 19, no. 2, 2016, pp. 175–82. PubMed Central, doi:10.4103/0972-2327.182302.
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