Migraines and chronic headaches are more than head pain—they are full-body signals of systemic imbalance. These conditions often involve nervous system sensitivity, hormonal shifts, vascular instability, and immune reactivity. Many people with ALPIMS traits experience them as part of a broader pattern.
This guide explains migraines and related headaches through the lens of Homeostatic Capacity, CDR, and the ALPIMS model—so you can track your triggers, build buffers, and reduce frequency without shame.
🧭 Your body is not attacking you—it’s alerting you.
🧠 What Happens in Migraine & Headache Disorders?
- Brain and vascular systems become hypersensitive to internal/external input
- CDR locks the body into inflammation and pain signaling
- Nervous system regulation, hormonal stability, and detox capacity all impact frequency and intensity
🔬 CDR in Migraine
- Stress, light, food, or smell exposures trigger neuroinflammatory cascades
- Mitochondrial and redox imbalances reduce brain energy availability
- Immune activation, sensory overload, or trauma can tip the balance
⚠️ Migraine is not just a headache—it’s a metabolic and sensory crash.
🧩 Migraines Through the ALPIMS Lens
| Domain | How It Shows Up | Suggested Supports |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Aura panic, pre-migraine dread, sensory anticipation | Predictable pacing, flare scripts, light retreat |
| Laxity | Neck tension, TMJ, posture-triggered migraines | Postural support, soft jaw alignment, rest pillows |
| Pain | Throbbing, pressure, stabbing head pain, allodynia | Ice/hot packs, low-sensory rest, gentle pressure |
| Immune | Histamine-related flares, menstrual migraines, sinus pain | Antihistamines, hormone cycle tracking, gut repair |
| Mood | Irritability, depression during aura/postdrome | Post-migraine care plans, grief comfort |
| Sensory | Light, sound, smell sensitivity, sensory hangover | Sunglasses, earplugs, clean scent zones |
🧰 Migraine Recovery Supports
- Prevention before perfection (small changes, big impact)
- Track patterns without pressure (monthly map or migraine journal)
- Flare buffers (hydration, quiet, cold, pressure regulation)
- Mitochondrial and hormone support (nutrition, pacing, rest)
- Post-migraine rituals (restoration, not rush back to function)
🔗 [Explore: Pain + Sensory + Immune Tools]
🔗 [Download: Migraine Flare Buffer Plan]
💬 Reminder
🌿 A migraine is not a personal failure. It’s a call to pause and protect your system.
Rest, reduce load, and honor the early signs. Over time, this builds resilience and recovery capacity.