Migraines, Stress and TMD Resolved with Homeopathy

Rosemary’s migraines started nine years ago, soon after she started using the contraceptive pill. It began with a loss of vision and an aura when she saw what looked like black-and-white snow before her eyes. The migraine would happen the day before her period and on day one of her menstrual bleed. 

An MRI scan found no obvious problems. She was on the contraceptive pill for nine years and her GP suggested a progesterone-only pill, which she tried briefly. She decided not to go back on the pill but the migraines did not go away: nine years later they were still a monthly occurrence.

Two years ago, she also developed TMD (temporomandibular disorder) and the migraines no longer affected just the area over her right eye but extended down the right side of her face, sometimes both sides. The nape of her neck would become very sensitive and her vision unfocused.

As well as the migraines being aggravated before and during her period, a change of routine, overwork, daily stress, and even coming down from stress while on holiday, could all bring on a migraine.

During her periods she would feel drained, lose focus in her eyesight and struggle with pain in her neck, head and face. It was difficult trying to look after two kids while working and she would freak out worrying that it would last for days. Looking at her work screen for long periods, heat, dehydration, or noise would all make her migraine worse, while sleep, fresh air or a walk would ease the pain. She felt irritable, impatient and cranky with the kids while having a migraine.

After her period the migraine would disappear and her energy returned.

She had seen doctors, taken medication and tried acupuncture (which helped reduce the length of the migraine, although it would soon return) hypnosis, bioenergetic therapy, reflexology, massage and counselling.

For her TMD, Rosemary received treatment from an orofacial physiotherapist, who thought the jaw was being affected by the migraine. She made huge progress with her TMD symptoms with the physio and hypnosis but she would still get stiffness in her jaw and the migraine made her jaw, neck and throat pain worse.

Treating causes, not symptoms

In homeopathy, the physical and emotional body are connected. Homeopaths look for the root cause of an ailment and by treating it, the symptoms begin to ease and eventually disappear.

As well as looking at the specific symptoms around an ailment during consultations I am also interested in the person. I look at their personality, values, hobbies, sleep, energy, fears, worries, family history and stress and how they deal with it.

Rosemary described herself as ambitious, independent, stubborn, sensitive, family-orientated, patient and a lover of routine. She worried about her family and put pressure on herself to do a good job as a mum. Her work was stressful and she would take on too much. She feared becoming ill or not being able to look after her children. She had a sweet tooth for carbs in the form of biscuits, chocolate or crisps.

Getting to work

My aim is not only to treat the person and how they present with their migraine symptoms but also to address the underlying cause and find a long-term solution.

I choose remedies based on many factors and due to the complex nature of migraines, there is no “magic pill” for all migraines . As well as constitutional treatment, I may also use therapeutic remedies to detox and support the organs and systems that are under stress, and provide “acute remedies” to help during a migraine episode.

What I hope to see over time is that the treatment reduces the severity, frequency and duration of the migraines until they eventually disappear. This process can be rapid for some while for others it can take longer. It all depends on the cause and the history.

I worked with Rosemary for over seven months and her migraines and tension headaches gradually eased. As well as being pain-free from migraines she was delighted that obstacles that had hindered her enjoyment of life were now being dealt with and her sense of being overwhelmed had gone.

Rosemary’s verdict

Would you like help resolving your migraines naturally?

If you are struggling with migraines or TMD and would like to work with me, I’d be delighted to help and you can book an appointment here.