What If Your Migraine Isn’t Just a Headache?

The Centre for Health Innovation|August 19, 2025

Sad latin woman sitting on sofa at home touching her head suffering from a migraine

Dr. Tare Matiza, MD, General Practitioner – Functional Medicine.

A Functional & Neuromodulatory Approach to Migraine Care in Ottawa

Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe head pain, often accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity. According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), chronic migraine is defined as headache occurring on 15 or more days per month for over three months, with at least eight of those days having migraine features.

Migraine affects over 12% of Canadians. For some, it is episodic and manageable. For others — especially those living with chronic migraine — the condition becomes life-altering, with symptoms such as visual disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive fog disrupting daily function.

Standard therapies for migraine management often focus on symptomatic relief: medications like triptans, beta-blockers, and, in certain cases, neuromodulator injections such as onabotulinumtoxinA (commonly known by the brand name Botox). This medication is one of several preventive treatments approved by Health Canada for chronic migraine and has demonstrated benefit in clinical trials such as the PREEMPT studies. However, like all medical treatments, it has potential risks, does not work for all patients, and should be considered alongside other options.

An integrative model offered at the CHI expands treatment possibilities for people seeking migraine prevention.

This approach combines conventional neuromodulation with a structured, systems-based review to evaluate potential drivers of migraine, including:

Hormonal shifts (e.g., perimenopausal changes, luteal progesterone decline)
Gut–brain axis dysfunction (e.g., dysbiosis, food sensitivities)
Mitochondrial overload (e.g., fatigue, reduced cellular recovery, nutrient deficits)
Neuroinflammatory states (e.g., triggered by stress, infection, or toxins).

Neuromodulator therapy for migraine is administered according to established protocols, targeting muscle sites across the head, neck, and shoulders. Its primary role is to reduce peripheral nerve signalling and ease symptom burden, potentially providing a therapeutic window in which broader interventions can be initiated.

During a migraine, changes in the brain and its signalling pathways contribute to pain, sensitivity, and other symptoms.

The gut and brain communicate closely — an important link when exploring possible root causes of migraine.

In parallel, the patient’s medical and treatment history, medication use (including screening for overuse), and quality-of-life impact are reviewed. Public and private laboratory investigations may be offered to evaluate biochemical, hormonal, and metabolic markers that could provide insight into root causes.

This migraine treatment model does not promise rapid or guaranteed results. Its objective is to integrate evidence-informed symptom relief with individualized investigation, supporting long-term neurological stability where possible.

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Patients interested in exploring this approach can book a consultation to review their history, current treatments, and options. Treatment eligibility is determined following a comprehensive medical assessment. Opportunities exist for physicians in Ontario to refer to Dr. Matiza at the CHI directly for this care as well. A referral is not required however, but if provided does allow for some government assistance for this type of care.

Book a consultation with Dr. Tare Matiza, MD today!

Author: Dr. Tare Matiza, MD General Practitioner – Functional Medicine

Dr. Tare Matiza is a general practitioner with a focus on functional medicine. He brings over 15 years of clinical experience and has a special interest in mental health, men’s health, and the role of lifestyle in preventing and reversing chronic disease.

Originally trained in South Africa, Dr. Matiza has practised in both Saskatchewan and Ontario. His care approach blends conventional medicine with personalized strategies, including nutrition, exercise, sleep optimization, stress resilience, and targeted supplementation.