Migraine & Me: My Path To Healing

At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with chronic migraine. What followed was over a decade-long quest through the medical landscape, seeking a way to heal myself. I saw neurologists, dietitians, chiropractors, and other specialists. I underwent treatments, tried various medications, and experimented with all the different ways to cure migraines. Yet, nothing worked.

I was desperately searching for something to cure me…a procedure, a medication, a diet, etc. Writing this now, I know that my chronic pain wasn’t just something physical to be treated by a doctor—it was a complex mix of learned associations tied to my emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and life experiences.

This one belief changed the trajectory of my life:

Healing comes from within.

Let me explain...

A decade of chronic migraines had carved deep neural pathways in my brain, making pain a constant companion and a part of who I was. My brain was always on high alert and had learned to associate triggers—like stress, anxiety, and certain foods/environments—with pain. My migraines intensified during periods of stress, creating a vicious cycle of:

stress = pain = more stress = more pain.

One fateful day, as I sat in my car in the grocery store parking lot, I stumbled upon a podcast that would change everything. A woman shared her journey of healing chronic migraines through a mind-body approach. She talked about a concept I had never discovered before: neuroplastic pain.

After listening to that podcast, I found myself diving into a rabbit hole of research on the brain’s ability to unlearn pain (yes, you heard that right—unlearn pain). After all, I had tried every conventional treatment under the sun. What did I have to lose by exploring this new avenue? With a mix of skepticism and hope, I thought to myself, "I've exhausted every other option. Why not give this a chance?"

Little did I know, this moment of curiosity would be the first step on this life-changing journey.

For the last two years, I’ve been diving deep into every part of myself, uncovering layers, and changing deeply rooted patterns.

And... I’m still on this journey today. Healing is not a linear process. I’ve experienced setbacks in my pain recovery but each one teaches me something new about myself and makes me stronger.

I started to understand that my pain is actually just trying to communicate with me—it is a message, not just a symptom. My pain tells me to SLOW DOWN and tune inward to listen to what my mind/body needs.

Bit by bit, the grip my chronic migraines had on me, started to loosen. I’ve taken back huge parts of my health, happiness, and well-being that I thought were gone for good.

Healing from pain isn’t just about fixing our bodies—it’s a journey that touches every part of who we are.

True healing means looking at our wholeness, not just one piece.

It’s about understanding that our pain, whether physical or emotional, is often connected to different areas of our lives. My healing journey hasn’t just given me my health back, it’s reshaped my personal growth, how I live my life, and my purpose in the world.

To all the chronic pain warriors reading this: I want you to know that there is hope. Your journey may be challenging, but I know you are incredibly strong. You are more than your pain, and you are capable of healing in ways you might not yet imagine. Trust in your ability to grow, adapt, and overcome. Your path to healing may be unique, but it is possible. Believe in yourself, be patient with your progress, and never give up on the possibility of a better tomorrow. You've got this, and you're not alone in this journey <3