Headaches and Migraines

An estimated 7 million Australians experience headaches each year, and 4.9 million experience migraines.¹

While there are different kinds of headaches, tension-type headaches are the most common.² These arise from increased muscle tension, including from jaw clenching and eye strain. Common contributors include stress, over-exertion, muscle misalignment, electrolyte imbalances and magnesium deficiency.

Factors that can lead to migraines are stress and sudden changes in stress levels, fluctuations in hormone levels, low blood sugar, infections, food intolerances/allergies (commonly dairy, salicylates, chocolate, wheat), dietary amines (such as alcohol, cheese, preserved meat), food additives, poor circulation and previous head injuries.

A finding in both headaches and particularly in migraines is an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines.³ This suggests that inflammation contributes to both conditions. Reducing inflammation by identifying and treating the underlying drivers, and managing the immune response is therefore a major focus on naturopathic treatment.

¹ ‘Migraine in Australia Whitepaper’, Deloitte Access Economics Report, 2018

² Gevirtz R. (2022). The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System in Headache: Biomarkers and Treatment. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 26(10), 767–774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-022-01079-x

³ Biscetti, L. et al. (2022). Immunological findings in patients with migraine and other primary headaches: a narrative review. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 207(1), 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1093/cei/uxab025