By Anna Kolomitseva, ND • Adapted for NaturalPath
For 27 years, migraines had ruled her life. A 46-year-old woman had tried nearly everything—daily medications, monthly injections, and strict routines—but still found herself battling debilitating head pain 4 to 5 times a week. That all changed when she took a different route: a root-cause, naturopathic approach that addressed not just her head, but her hormones, gut, nervous system, and lifestyle.
This is the story of how her migraines disappeared—and how she reclaimed her energy, sleep, and sense of self.
Migraines That Wouldn’t Let Go
She came to my office frustrated. Despite strong pharmaceutical treatments like CGRP inhibitor injections and serotonin-based abortives, her migraines were frequent, intense, and interrupted daily life. The headaches often began in the early morning, came with dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light, and left her exhausted. But what made her case especially complex was what lay beneath the surface.
She had:
- A history of endometriosis and multiple abdominal surgeries
- Sleep issues since adolescence
- A hysterectomy that triggered early menopause and hormone imbalances
- High stress and caregiving responsibilities (she’s a mom of four)
- Regular intake of diet sodas with artificial sweeteners
- IBS-like symptoms and digestive distress
Her migraines weren’t just neurological—they were hormonal, digestive, and emotional. And that meant the solution needed to be just as holistic.
Finding the Root Causes
Advanced functional lab testing told us what her body already knew:
- Low estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone confirmed postmenopausal hormone decline.
- Elevated free cortisol and low DHEA pointed to stress overload and HPA axis dysfunction.
- Markers of gut dysbiosis (like high indican and low glutathione) showed poor gut-brain communication.
- Nutrient markers also suggested mitochondrial stress and detoxification issues.
She wasn’t broken—she was depleted, overworked, and out of rhythm with her own physiology.
A Naturopathic Plan That Worked
Rather than attacking the migraines directly, we started by restoring her body’s balance. Here’s what her protocol looked like:
Nervous System & Stress Support
- Magnesium glycinate (360 mg nightly) to calm the nervous system and improve sleep
- Rhodiola, Magnolia, L-theanine for adrenal regulation and emotional resilience
- Matcha green tea for natural L-theanine and calm alertness
Hormonal Harmony
- Topical wild yam cream to gently support hormonal balance
- Diet high in protein and fiber to stabilize blood sugar and hormone metabolism
- Evening routine to align circadian rhythms
Gut & Detoxification Support
- Multi-strain probiotics (~22 billion CFUs) to restore gut flora
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha
- Removal of artificial sweeteners from her diet
- Digestive enzymes and castor oil packs to ease bloating and improve digestion
Nutritional Repletion
- Activated B-complex (with methylated B12 and folate) for neurological and energy support
- CoQ10 (100 mg) for mitochondrial and cardiovascular support
This wasn’t a “quick fix” plan—it was a realignment of the body’s systems so healing could happen.
Her Progress: From Daily Pain to Complete Relief
Within 6 weeks, her migraines had decreased from 4–5 episodes per week to just 1–2. By her fifth visit, she was migraine-free, and she remained that way through follow-up.
Other wins:
- Sleep improved dramatically
- Hot flashes and night sweats became rare
- Digestive function normalized
- She had more energy and mental clarity
- Her mood lifted, and she felt more like herself
Most importantly, she stopped needing any pharmaceutical medications for migraines.
Why It Worked
Migraines are rarely just “in your head.” They often stem from a complex interplay of hormones, gut health, stress, and lifestyle rhythms, especially for women in perimenopause or postmenopause.
This case shows how powerful it can be to:
- Regulate cortisol and support adrenal recovery
- Replenish key nutrients for brain health
- Restore hormone balance gently and naturally
- Repair gut-brain signaling
While conventional approaches often treat symptoms, naturopathic medicine asks “why?”—and builds treatment from the inside out.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve struggled with chronic migraines and feel like nothing helps, there is hope. You may not need stronger drugs—you may need deeper healing.
By addressing her whole system, not just the symptom, this patient found freedom from migraines for the first time in nearly three decades. Her journey is a reminder that the body wants to heal when given the right tools.
Let it be yours, too.
Dr. Anna Kolomitseva, ND (CT-Licensed) is a naturopathic doctor with over a decade of clinical experience in chronic and complex conditions. She is a 2015 graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and the founder of Independently Healthy Wellness & Coaching (IHWC), with locations in Connecticut and Georgia. She received the State of Georgia Power Women Award in 2022 and was named a “Best of Georgia” 2024 winner in both the Specialty Healthcare Providers and Holistic & Naturopathic Practices categories. Dr. Kolomitseva is committed to advancing naturopathic neurology through clinical innovation and scholarly contribution.
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