By Dr. Erin Wiley Naturopathic Doctor

 Headaches can be debilitating and costly to our performance and productivity.

They can strike when you least expect it, and the anticipatory anxiety and fear about how your headache is going to interfere with your next project or adventure can feel very limiting. The suffering and side effects not only affect the individual but also their loved ones.

 It is important to understand the influencing factors and causes of your headaches so that the appropriate treatment can be recommended.

While most treatments aim to treat the headache when it is happening by blocking the associated pain and symptoms, an integrative approach with the support of your Naturopathic Doctor (ND) supports the brain and nervous system as it relates to the entire body as the primary focus for prevention.

 Your ND understands the “Brain-Gut” connection.

The ecosystem of bacteria living in the digestive tract (your micro-biome) communicate directly with your DNA, which affecting your brain. A gut that is out of balance produces signals in the body that promote pain and inflammation. For many people, this is the root cause of their susceptibility to headaches.

 Your ND will likely make diet and lifestyle recommendations that support the growth and development of a healthy micro-biome.

Your ND may also recommend food sensitivity testing. As a result of damage to your digestive tract over time, you may have developed an immune reaction to some of the foods you are eating. Eating these foods can produce low grade inflammation, which often presents as a headache. Identifying and removing your food sensitivities is an essential step towards healing your micro-biome and preventing your headaches.

 Your ND may recommend supplements or IV micronutrients to replace lost nutrients.

When the digestive system is inflamed and out of balance, you cannot absorb nutrients optimally. This can lead to nutrient deficits over time. Delivering nutrients like magnesium and trace minerals directly into the blood stream through an IV helps to bypass this damaged system and heal the body from the inside out. IV nutrients such as magnesium have been used to address and prevent headaches including migraines.

Correcting your physiological nutrient deficiencies and calming inflammation in the body can often be the key to addressing the underlying susceptibility to headaches.

This type of therapy can also complement any type of manual therapy for headaches. So if your chiropractor, massage therapist, physiotherapist or acupuncturist has not yet recommended an assessment from a Naturopathic Doctor, it’s time to get one.

The next step is to book your consult here.

Dr. Erin Wiley is a naturopathic doctor with a strong focus on preventative and integrative medicine. She is the Owner and Clinic Director of the Integrative Health Institute, an integrative medical clinic located in downtown Toronto. Erin has a strong clinical
emphasis on stress related illness, anxiety, depression and hormone balance. As a naturopathic doctor, Erin is passionate about working with people to help them better understand their health and achieve their health goals.