In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Kate Kresge welcomes Dr. Asare Christian, MD, a pain medicine and rehabilitation specialist, to explore the complex physiology of migraines and how a root-cause or functional medicine approach can transform treatment. They discuss the various triggers, including hormonal fluctuations, gut health, inflammation, and environmental toxins, as well as innovative natural therapies, supplements, and device options that empower patients to take control of their headache management. This conversation offers a comprehensive view of migraine care beyond conventional medications, emphasizing education, prevention, and personalized strategies for lasting relief.
In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Kate Kresge welcomes Dr. Asare Christian, MD, a pain medicine and rehabilitation specialist, to explore the complex physiology of migraines and how a root-cause or functional medicine approach can transform treatment. They discuss the various triggers, including hormonal fluctuations, gut health, inflammation, and environmental toxins, as well as innovative natural therapies, supplements, and device options that empower patients to take control of their headache management. This conversation offers a comprehensive view of migraine care beyond conventional medications, emphasizing education, prevention, and personalized strategies for lasting relief.
You'll hear them discuss:
- The evolving understanding of migraine pathophysiology, including neuronal triggers and the trigeminal system
- Conventional vs. natural approaches to migraine treatment
- The role of hormones, gut health, micronutrients, and environmental toxins in migraine triggers
- The importance of education and personalized pain management plans
- Cutting-edge devices and non-pharmacological therapies for acute and preventative care
- The significance of sleep, stress management, and resilience in migraine reduction
- The impact of gut microbiome and inflammation on chronic pain conditions
Guest Introduction:
Dr. Asare Christian is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, founder of Ether Medicine, and a leader in integrating functional medicine approaches into pain management. His focus is on identifying root causes of chronic pain and migraines—such as hormonal imbalances, gut dysbiosis, and inflammation—and offering personalized, natural, and innovative treatments to optimize health and reduce symptom burden.
Labs Mentioned:
- Hormone panels (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid)
- Microbiome testing
- CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
- Nutrient levels (magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, cellular nutrient testing)
- Infections (H. pylori, candida)
- CoQ10 and other mitochondrial markers
Supplements Mentioned:
- Magnesium
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
- CoQ10
- Fish oil / Omega-3s / Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
- Ketone esters
- Butterbur
- Feverfew
- Chaste Tree (Agnus Castus)
- Wild Yam
- LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone)
Guest and Sponsor Details:
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction and episode overview
- 01:42 – Dr. Christian’s pathway into functional pain medicine
- 03:04 – Understanding why pain isn’t just a symptom, but a driver of patient health
- 04:53 – Defining migraine and its impact globally
- 06:55 – Conventional medication history and recent advances such as CGRP antagonists
- 11:04 – Systemic and neural pathways involved in migraine physiology
- 13:25 – Triggers including hormonal fluctuations, diet, gut health, stress, and toxins
- 15:20 – Modulating pain through neuroaffective strategies and vagus nerve stimulation
- 17:11 – Educating patients on triggers, and developing personalized pain and migraine plans
- 24:40 – The microbiome’s influence on pain and inflammation
- 28:20 – The role of micronutrients and cellular energy in migraine management
- 34:00 – Shared physiology in other pain conditions, energy regulation, and mitochondria
- 36:54 – Inflammation management and safe supplement use, including LDN and peptides
- 49:00 – Natural herbs like butterbur, feverfew, and stabilizing mast cells
- 54:25 – Neuromodulation devices for in-office and on-the-go migraine management
- 58:27 – Patient success rates and hope for those suffering from migraines
- 01:00:16 – Key takeaways: triggers, nutrition, and personalized care for migraine resolution
