Chronic Migraines

Chronic migraine is a neurological disorder typically defined as headache on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months, with migraine features on at least 8 of those days. It is more than “frequent bad headaches.” People may experience throbbing or pressure-like head pain, nausea, vomiting, light or sound sensitivity, visual symptoms, neck pain, cognitive fog, and major disruption to work, sleep, and social life. Chronic migraine often overlaps with related issues such as medication-overuse headache, tension-type headache features, stress, sleep disruption, and other chronic pain conditions.

Treatment options vary because chronic migraine has multiple drivers: nervous system sensitivity, genetics, hormonal patterns, sleep quality, stress load, musculoskeletal tension, and medication use patterns can all play a role. In western care, treatment often separates into acute therapies for attacks and preventive therapies intended to reduce monthly migraine days. In eastern and integrative traditions, approaches such as acupuncture, mind-body regulation, and selected herbal strategies are traditionally used to address recurring headache patterns, stress reactivity, and whole-body balance. Research suggests some of these options may help certain patients, though evidence quality and consistency differ across therapies.