Understanding and Treating Migraines: A Deep Dive with Dr. MG McCullough
Migraines are often misunderstood as “just a bad headache,” but they are far more complex, involving a range of neurological symptoms like vision loss, numbness, and even stroke-like weakness. For many, these symptoms disrupt their daily lives, leaving them searching for answers that modern medicine often can’t provide. Enter Dr. MG McCullough, a doctor of Oriental medicine and licensed acupuncturist, affectionately known as The Migraine Acupuncturist.
In a recent interview, Dr. McCullough shared her personal journey with migraines and how classical Chinese medicine has transformed her understanding and ability to treat this debilitating condition. Here’s a look at her fascinating insights into migraines, their root causes, and how ancient principles can offer relief.
What Causes Migraines? It’s All About Depletion
Dr. McCullough describes migraines as the result of depletion—not just the need for a nap, but a deep, systemic exhaustion. According to classical Chinese medicine, our bodies rely on yin (restful, grounding energy) to support yang (active, get-things-done energy). When yin is depleted, the yang energy becomes unbalanced, often manifesting in migraines.
Contributing factors to this depletion can include:
Overworking
Chronic stress
Early-life trauma
Nutritional imbalances
Environmental toxins
In her practice, migraines are also frequently tied to what she calls “mediumship”—the body’s resources stored to keep us functioning. When these reserves run out, neurological symptoms like migraines, tingling, or vision loss can emerge.
The Emotional and Structural Roots of Migraines
For many migraine sufferers, there’s an emotional component. Dr. McCullough often sees patients grappling with deeply rooted beliefs such as “Something is wrong with me.” These emotions, often formed in early childhood, can become stored in the body, affecting not only mental health but physical posture and structural alignment.
She explains that these emotions are intertwined with channels in the body known as the eight extraordinary vessels, which are responsible for our structural integrity and early developmental patterns. Treating these channels often leads to emotional and physical shifts, providing relief from migraines.
Why “Modern” Acupuncture Often Misses the Mark
One of Dr. McCullough’s key lessons is understanding the difference between modern acupuncture (often called TCM, or Traditional Chinese Medicine) and classical Chinese medicine. Modern acupuncture often relies on “cookbook” protocols—point prescriptions designed to address common symptoms. While helpful for some, this approach doesn’t address deeper imbalances causing complex conditions like migraines.
Classical Chinese medicine, on the other hand, is rooted in ancient principles and focuses on treating the whole person. By addressing underlying deficiencies and restoring balance in the body, it offers a more profound and lasting solution.
Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Migraine Sufferers
Dr. McCullough emphasizes the importance of nutrition and lifestyle changes to support long-term healing. Her top dietary tips include:
Avoid heat-creating foods: Coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, and excessive onions or garlic can raise yang energy, potentially triggering migraines.
Incorporate warm, wet foods: Think brothy soups, cooked grains, and stewed vegetables to nourish yin and hydrate the body.
Limit cold, dry foods: Smoothies, raw salads, and processed snacks like crackers or chips can stagnate energy and worsen depletion.
She also warns against extreme practices like cold plunges or restrictive diets, which can further deplete the body’s resources.
Immediate Relief for Migraines
For those in the throes of a migraine, Dr. McCullough recommends a practice rooted in classical Chinese medicine: bleeding specific acupuncture points to release built-up pressure in the channels. While it sounds intense, this technique involves using a diabetic lancet to prick specific points, releasing a few drops of blood to provide rapid relief.
(Note: Dr. McCullough offers a course on this technique, which you can explore here.)
The Connection Between Wind and Migraines
In Chinese medicine, migraines with aura—like visual disturbances or dizziness—are associated with “wind.” Dr. McCullough explains that wind represents instability in the body, often triggered by deficiencies in yin or blood. Lifestyle factors like stress, overwork, and certain foods can exacerbate this condition, creating a “forest fire” effect where heat and wind amplify each other.
Finding Balance: The Path to Migraine Relief
Healing migraines isn’t about quick fixes but rather addressing the root causes—emotionally, physically, and nutritionally. By taking a holistic approach and making sustainable lifestyle changes, Dr. McCullough’s patients often experience profound relief.
Her work highlights the power of classical Chinese medicine to transform lives, helping migraine sufferers reclaim their health and vitality.
Are you ready to explore a new path to healing? Follow Dr. MG McCullough on Instagram or visit her website at https://drmgmccullough.com/ to learn more about her practice and resources.
Let’s start the conversation: Have you tried acupuncture for migraines? What was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments!
