Skip to main content

From Painkillers to Freedom: My Journey Overcoming Migraines and the Power of Holistic Healing

Submitted by @ReneSerulle on
Illustration of a migraine sufferer with swirling colors radiating from the head, symbolizing migraine pain.

For as long as I can remember, migraines have been my shadow. My childhood memories are punctuated by throbbing temples and a pounding head, a routine that always ended with a reach for painkillers. By my twenties, I was taking analgesics three to four times a day, several days a week—an unhealthy cycle that left me utterly resigned. I lived under the weight of those medications, consumed by worry about the toll they were taking on my liver. I thought I had no choice but to endure.

A Chance Conversation That Changed Everything

Eight years ago, a routine blood‑work appointment turned into a life‑changing conversation. The physician leading the practice asked seemingly routine questions about my health. When I mentioned my migraines, he asked something no one had asked me before: “What if there’s a way to reduce or even eliminate your need for painkillers?” I was skeptical, but his question planted a seed of hope.

He introduced me to Dr. Ostrovsky (Dr. O), author of Homeopathy for Headaches. Dr. O practices as part of an integrated care team. At his first office he collaborated with a massage therapist, a chiropractor, a nutritionist and a Pilates instructor. While I loved the Pilates sessions, with my inflexible body it was a torture session, but well worth it as my body began recovering. Later, Dr. O partnered with a chiropractor and masseuse. I learned quickly that my migraines weren’t just random lightning bolts; they were connected to muscle tension, diet, posture, stress and lifestyle. The structure of our sessions reflected that philosophy:

  1. Treatment with saline‑based injections: Dr. O used saline injections along muscle bands in my back, neck and scalp to release tension and flush out built‑up toxic metabolites.

  2. Massage therapy: A masseuse would loosen my muscles and distribute the injected saline, targeting stubborn knots and freeing movement.

  3. Chiropractic adjustment: Finally the chiropractor would align my spine, helping to prevent tension from returning.

Some days the order changed depending on how my body responded, but the goal was always the same: free muscles, improve circulation and support healing.

In parallel, Dr. O asked about my diet, sleep and stress. It became clear that lifestyle plays a profound role in migraines. Research shows that stress is the most common trigger – more than 70% of patients experience high stress before a migraine attack. Many people learn to identify multiple triggers; a study by the National Migraine Centre found 79% of patients were aware of factors they thought triggered their migraines. My own triggers included dehydration, poor quality foods and drinks, vitamin deficiency, insufficient stretching and movement, and poor posture. This holistic framework transformed my mindset: migraines weren’t an inevitability; they were something I could influence. My migraine rate had steadily increased from approximately once between seasons in my younger days to about 4-8 hours per day, up to 5 times a week by my 30th birthday. Just as I was yielding to a life of painkillers, a glimmer of light appeared that would lead me up from this otherwise morbid fate.

Understanding Migraines: What Science Says

Symptoms and Phases

A migraine isn’t just a bad headache. Migraines can cause throbbing, pulsing pain on one side of the head and often come with nausea, vision changes, and sensitivity to light and sound. They typically progress through four phases — prodrome, aura, headache, and post-drome — which together can last hours or even days. About 12% of people in the United States experience migraines.

Common Triggers

Recognizing your personal triggers is one of the most effective ways to manage migraines. Some of the most common include:

  • Stress: Emotional stress can tighten neck and shoulder muscles, triggering or worsening pain. Exercise, meditation, or yoga can help relieve tension.

  • Hormonal fluctuations: Many women experience menstrual migraines due to changes in estrogen and progesterone.

  • Dietary factors: Certain cheeses, processed meats, and foods high in nitrates or artificial sweeteners can be problematic. Skipping meals or eating at inconsistent times is also a known trigger.

  • Alcohol and caffeine: Red wine and excessive caffeine are frequent culprits, while caffeine withdrawal itself can also bring on attacks.

  • Sleep disruption: Too little or too much sleep can provoke migraines.

  • Sensory stimuli: Bright lights, fluorescent lights, loud noises, and strong smells often worsen symptoms.

  • Medication overuse: Over-reliance on pain relievers may paradoxically lead to more headaches.

My Personal Triggers

Each of us who suffers from migraines has different sensitivities. In my case, I discovered through years of trial and error that poor-quality cheeses, white wine, and cheap red wines, among others, were especially problematic. Yet I can still enjoy good cheese and wine as long as I choose organic, high-quality options.

Caffeine has been another big factor. I love coffee, but not all coffee loves me back. These days, I’ve come to see migraines as my body’s way of saying something isn’t right. A headache isn’t random – it’s often an indication that I need to change a routine or cut something out. Over time I cut out blends and coffee shops that left me feeling bloated or mentally “stuffy.” I realized that if the coffee tastes burnt and needs sugar or syrups just to be drinkable, something’s wrong – either with the beans or with the cleanliness of the machine. Real coffee should carry a rich bitterness, sometimes earthy, never harsh. If you find yourself masking more than the natural bitterness, it may be time to switch roasts or find a better cup.

Lifestyle Modifications

Research emphasizes the power of lifestyle changes in reducing migraine frequency and severity. A 2022 mini‑review proposed the acronym SEED (Sleep, Exercise, Eat and Diary) to summarize lifestyle interventions. Regular sleep, consistent exercise, balanced nutrition and tracking symptoms in a diary can help identify patterns and inform your doctor.

Physical activity is particularly powerful. The same review notes that 150–300 minutes of moderate‑intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking or cycling, can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines. Exercise encourages weight control, stress reduction and better sleep – each of which lowers migraine risk.

Medical and Complementary Treatments

Modern medicine offers two categories of migraine medication: acute (pain‑relieving) treatments and preventive treatments. Acute treatments include over‑the‑counter pain relievers, triptans and newer oral calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) antagonists. Preventive options range from beta blockers and antidepressants to CGRP monoclonal antibodies, Botox injections and monthly or quarterly gepants. Consulting a healthcare professional can assist you in find what’s safe and effective for you.

Complementary therapies can also help. A review of integrative medicine found promising evidence for mindfulness meditation, yoga and tai chi, along with supplements such as magnesium, riboflavin, feverfew and butterbur (the latter only in PA‑free formulations). Physical therapy has strong evidence of benefit, and acupuncture is superior to sham treatments. Non‑medication therapies like biofeedback can reduce headache frequency and severity by 45% to 60%, teaching you to recognize and release tension before it becomes pain. Emerging neuromodulation devices – such as transcutaneous supraorbital stimulators (Cefaly), single‑pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (SpringTMS) and vagus nerve stimulators – show promise in reducing and preventing migraines.

My Healing Journey: From Painkillers to Freedom

The science validated what I was learning through Dr. O: migraines are multifaceted and require a multifaceted approach. Over our sessions, we experimented and iterated. I kept a diary of what I ate, my physical activity and how I felt. I began stretching daily, practicing Pilates or other forms of exercise, and taking regular walks, hikes and jogs. I learned to drink more water and to never skip meals. When stress mounted, I reached for stretches instead of acetaminophen.

Illustration of various painkillers crossed out with a prohibition symbol, symbolizing freedom from medication dependence

 

The results were astounding. Within a few months I noticed fewer headaches. After a couple of years I was taking painkillers only once every few months. Today I often go four months without needing any analgesics – a radical departure from my past. The muscles in my neck and back are looser; my posture is better; my mood is lighter. More than anything, my mindset has shifted. I am no longer at the mercy of migraines; I am empowered to manage them.

The Book That Helped and Why I Recommend It

During my treatment Dr. O wrote Homeopathy for Headaches: A Doctor’s Easy Guide to Prescribing. While the title emphasizes homeopathy, the book covers far more: prescription and prescribing advice, dietary modifications, food sensitivities, neurotherapy and homeopathic remedies, some of which can be prepared at home. It explains how different systems in the body interact and how specific remedies might alleviate pain. The discussions about muscle interconnection – the way tension in your back can pull on neck muscles and trigger head pain – came from my conversations with Dr. O, but the book echoes the same holistic philosophy.

If you’re living with migraines, I encourage you to explore this integrative approach. Start by tracking your triggers and making lifestyle adjustments. Talk to your doctor about both conventional and complementary treatments. And if you’d like a practical, approachable resource grounded in decades of clinical experience, Dr. O’s book is an excellent starting point.

Where to Find the Book

👉 Homeopathy for Headaches: A Doctor’s Easy Guide to Prescribing

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Final Thoughts

Migraines can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Science shows that with the right combination of medical treatments, lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies, many people can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of their attacks. My journey with Dr. O and his team taught me that healing is a partnership between patient and practitioner – and that the human body has an incredible capacity to rebalance itself when we give it the tools it needs.

If you are ready to explore a holistic path to migraine relief, Dr. O’s book and the strategies discussed here may help you regain control and move from painkillers to freedom.

Sources and Citations

Tags