2025 Expert Guide to Migraines: Triggers, Treatments & Tools with Dr. Asare Christian, MD

Sep 18, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

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:

Practice: Aether Medicine
Phone: 484-806-1101
Town: Wayne, PA

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