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Neurotherapy for Migraine and Headache Disorders

We train your Brain to fix your Brain

What is the right treatment for Migraine/Headache Disorders?

By Martin Brink, Board-Certified in Neurotherapy and QEEG:

Clients with Migraine Disorder often feel trapped by a condition that the world dismisses as “just a headache”. They are exhausted by the cycle of retreating into dark rooms and relying on medications that often lead to rebound pain, overuse headache and finally to Chronic Migraine.

They want to know: ‘What is a better therapy for Migraine Disorder?’
Beyond the temporary relief of painkillers or the endless hunt for potential  “triggers”, is there a way to stabilise a fragile Brain that appears to be “too sensitive” for this world?

In order to look for a reasonable answer, it’s a good idea to examine the function of the affected organ: The Brain.

Migraine treatment Gold Coast: The face of a suffering woman holding her head

Migraine is a Functional Brain Disorder

Based in Neuroscience, QEEG Brain Mapping can identify the patterns of Migraine Disorder in Brain activity.

Neurotherapy offers a drug-free pathway to real and lasting change; because Migraine is—without a doubt—a Functional Brain Disorder.

But what exactly does that mean?

Real client’s LoRETA loop: Red = faulty, excessive activity

What is a Functional Brain Disorder?

Healthy Brain Activity

All our Abilities, Behaviours and Experiences arise from the electrical activity in our Brains.

Electroencephalography (EEG) records electrical Brain activity from the scalp with very little fuss:

a sample of fairly normal eeg
Fairly normal eyes-open EEG (P3,Pz,P4; Average Reference)

Quantitative EEG (QEEG) analyses the Brain’s electrical activity: Green = normal levels.

topographic brain maps of good eeg
Fairly normal eyes-open QEEG (Z-scored; Average Reference)

Functional Brain Disorders

If our Brain’s electrical activity is out of order, it affects our Abilities, Behaviours and Experiences.

When Brain activity isn’t normal, it shows up in the EEG. See for yourself (psychiatric client):

sample of bad eeg
Pathological eyes-open EEG (P3, Pz, P4; Average Reference)

QEEG maps: Yellow = a bit too much, Orange = clearly too much, Red = crazy too much activity.

row of abnormal brainmaps
Pathological eyes-open QEEG (Z-scored; Average Reference)

Migraine Disorder in the Brain

Between attacks, the Migraine Brain is not normal, but displays a persistent state of cortical hyperexcitability and dysfunctional inhibition. This vulnerability distinguishes Migraine Brains from healthy controls, even when completely pain-free.

Understanding these electro-physiological signatures is crucial for targeted Neurotherapy with Neurofeedback to help restore normal Brain function. Only that can reduce the symptoms between episodes and avoid the crippling attacks.

Below you’ll see some of the abnormal patterns that are consistent with Migraine Disorder, according to research and clinical experience.

Common Patterns in the Migraine Brain

Excessive High Beta = Hyperexcitabilty

The number of electrodes exceeding a z-score threshold of 1.96 in the High Beta range directly correlates with migraine severity.Migraine clients often show heightened, very fast HiBeta activity across all cortical regions. One study even found a direct correlation between the number of electrodes with excessive HiBeta and the severity of Migraine Disorder.

This represents a Brain in a state of chronic cortical arousal, unable to shift into restorative, low-frequency resting states, which explains the high comorbidity with Anxiety, Sleep Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Epilepsy and a multitude of physical issues such as Restless Leg Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) etc.

Increased Theta Power— Faulty Sensory Gating

Brain map showing elevated Relative Theta.Multiple controlled studies show increased Relative Theta (4-8 Hz) across all cortical regions between Migraine attacks. This means, the Thalamus — the gatekeeper for the cortex — fails to filter sensory input which makes Migraineurs sensitive to light and sound and contributes to Brain fog, fatigue and trouble concentrating.

Reduced Occipital Alpha

Brain map showing decreased occipital Alpha.Between attacks, Migraine Brains show decreased Alpha Power (8–12 Hz) at the back (visual Cortex), particularly in the lower Alpha band (8–10 Hz).

That means, the visual system never rests. Even in darkness or calm settings, it’s revved up. This is consistent with Light Sensitivity, Eye Strain, Visual Fatigue and Headaches triggered by screens or sunlight.

Weak Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

Thermal image showing underactive right PFC.Chronic Migraine patients show reduced grey matter volume in the PFC, particularly in the right hemisphere. Studies have also found electro-physiological markers of PFC underactivation. This means, the Prefrontal Cortex is unfit and struggles to control the rest of the Brain; a pattern also common in PTSD, Complex PTSD and FND.

Consistent with these findings, clients often report slow thinking, poor executive function, trouble planning, indecisiveness and emotional dysregulation.

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Cover of The Migraine Revolution book by Martin Brink

How to learn more about Migraine Disorder Rehabilitation

Our Scientific Patient Guide was written for a wide audience: 1. Patients with Episodic Migraine who don’t want to rely on meds and risk progressing to Chronic Migraine, 2. Chronic Migraineurs who had been told to rely on meds for symptom relief during attacks, and 3. Doctors and Therapists of any discipline who want a broad and scientifically referenced overview of Migraine rehabilitation.

The book has 464 pages, 300 graphs and illustrations, 1600 scientific references and contributions from world-leading Migraine clinicians. THE MIGRAINE REVOLUTION is available in all good bookstores and on Amazon.