Why Mind-Body Approaches Should Be Your First Choice for Migraine Relief
Adriane Dellorco
March 4, 2025
Why Mind-Body Approaches Should Be Your First Choice for Migraine Relief
Nausea, brain fog, tingly skin, hallucinations, loss of appetite, and crippling anxiety—these are just a handful of the debilitating side effects that members of my Yoga for Migraine Facebook group have reported experiencing from their migraine medications. The meds we take for migraine not only cause these unpleasant side effects, but often they don’t even improve our symptoms in the first place.
That’s why I want to explain why mind-body approaches should be the first thing you try for migraine relief, rather than the last. In this discussion, I’ll explain which mind-body strategies are the most helpful for migraine, the risks of relying solely on medication, and why you should prioritize these holistic approaches sooner rather than later.
The Risks of Relying Solely on Medication
Medication is a deeply ingrained part of Western medical culture, and we often don’t question it. We go to the doctor, get a prescription, and hope for the best. But there are significant risks to relying on medication alone:
Debilitating Side Effects – Many migraine medications come with side effects that can be just as disabling as the migraine itself. From hallucinations to severe nausea, the side effects can be overwhelming.
Exacerbation of Other Health Conditions – Medications may interact with other health issues, potentially worsening existing conditions or creating new ones.
Disempowerment – Relying on medication alone can make people feel powerless. When medications fail or stop working, patients often feel hopeless.
High Costs and Insurance Hassles – Newer, more effective drugs can be incredibly expensive, sometimes costing hundreds to thousands of dollars per month, often requiring lengthy battles with insurance providers.
Medication Adaptation Headache (Rebound Headaches) – Overuse of medications like triptans or NSAIDs can lead to an increase in migraine frequency, creating a frustrating cycle of dependency.
Why Mind-Body Approaches Work
Mind-body approaches are proactive, skill-based techniques that empower individuals to manage their migraine symptoms effectively. Some of the most impactful methods include:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): This practice helps individuals become more present and mindful, reducing stress and anxiety that can contribute to migraine.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A gold-standard treatment for anxiety and chronic pain, CBT helps individuals change negative thought patterns related to their pain.
Yoga for Migraine: A 2020 study found that individuals with episodic migraine who practiced yoga for three hours a week reduced their symptoms and medication use by nearly 50%.
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT): This technique helps individuals change their brain’s perception of pain, reducing fear and anxiety around migraine attacks.
The Benefits of Mind-Body Approaches
Empowerment – These approaches put control back in your hands, allowing you to take an active role in managing your health.
Positive Side Effects – Unlike medications, mind-body practices have only positive effects, such as improved mood, better sleep, and increased physical activity.
Long-Term Benefits – Once learned, these techniques stay with you for life, providing a sustainable and cost-effective way to manage migraine.
Holistic Health Improvements – Many clients report reduced anxiety, better sleep, and increased energy levels, leading to a more active and fulfilling life.
The Beyond Migraine Approach
My Beyond Migraine coaching program integrates:
Pain Reprocessing Therapy to retrain the brain’s response to pain.
Yoga for Migraine to promote relaxation and resilience.
Daily Self-Care Habits that support migraine prevention.
Most participants in the program begin experiencing significant relief within eight weeks. By focusing on mind-body approaches early in your migraine journey, you can avoid years of medication trials, high medical costs, and the rollercoaster of ineffective treatments.
Lindsey’s Recovery Story
To be honest, usually my clients come to my Beyond Migraine coaching program as a last resort after their doctors say, “There’s nothing else I can give you.” It’s a hopeless place to be in, but Beyond Migraine gives them personalized support and new mind-body tools that finally start to turn their migraine around.
Lindsey A. came to Beyond Migraine as a last resort:
“When I joined Yoga for Migraine, I was in a very low spot. My chronic migraine had taken over my life during the past several years. I was having 27-15 headache days a month, easily maxing out my medications, was drained from the churn of doctor’s appointments and medication roulette, had to leave my full-time job, and was just existing day-to-day.
Four months later, my headache days are dramatically reduced to only a handful a month! Last month I only took one rescue medication. (I still can’t believe that!) My head has cleared and I can enjoy reading, tv shows, and social outings again. I’m going on short hikes with my dogs and enjoying my regular yoga practice. I’ve even started a new job.
Beyond Migraine was the missing link.”
If you’re ready to take control of your migraine journey, consider exploring mind-body practices today. For more information about Beyond Migraine, watch this short video and book a call with me if it resonates—I’d love to help you find lasting relief.
