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Re-finding the ‘i’ in ‘Linda’
A year ago, my neurologist told me that in our attempt to reduce my chronic migraines, we had essentially exhausted Western science’s medical interventions. Instead of adjusting my medication (again), he recommended that I begin a more holistic approach to healing. His long list of suggested therapies included counselling, yin…
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Feng Shui for migraines
Feng Shui is the Chinese practice of creating a harmonious environment by managing the flow of chi, or energy. In a similar way that Qigong and Tai Chi employ slow and careful movements that are both calm and strong, Feng Shui looks to organize space in a way which invigorates…
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The vagus nerve and migraines
The vagus nerve is actually a pair of cranial nerves (running down both sides of your body). It originates in your brain, and travels down though your neck, chest and abdomen to help your brain communicate with your body. In particular, it influences breathing, heart rate and digestion. Because the vagus…
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Better breathing for migraines
A major part of mindfulness is breathing. It sounds a little suspect when you first hear about it – ‘breathing? I do that all the time already!’ What becomes apparent when you do a bit of research, however, is how badly migraineurs tend to breathe. I know that I tend…
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Aromatherapy for migraines
One of my greatest joys, and biggest triggers, is aroma (smells). I can specifically remember occasions where I have been in a movie theatre or an airplane and the smell of someone’s perfume has become increasingly upsetting, until… migraine… usually the more dramatic version complete with nausea and vomiting. On…
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Closing the gap on migraines
I have written elsewhere on this blog that one of the aims for my holistic approach to healing has been to reduce triggers and increase my resilience to those triggers. Reducing triggers is something I have done both intuitively and deliberately for years wherever possible. I know glare is a…
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Mindfulness for migraines
Mindfulness is the number one, overarching tool that has helped me reduce my migraine triggers (stress, fatigue, posture) and increase my resilience to the triggers I can not avoid (genes, hormones, climate etc.). As a result, I have managed to reduce my migraines from 3+ days a week (every week for…
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Walking for migraines
As part of my intention to increase my physical wellbeing, I have begun walking everyday if possible. On sick days it might involve a short walk to the end of the street and back, and on rainy days I might give myself the day off (and walk laps of my…
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Climate and migraines
I have discovered that my migraines are very sensitive to the climate. Very hot or very cold days can trigger pressure in my head which sometimes leads to a tension headache, or a migraine. What I realized the other day, however, is humidity is also a trigger. I had spent…
The Mindful Migraine 