Why Do I Get Migraines? The Question My Patients Ask Me Most Often.

After living with migraine for more than 20 years and helping hundreds of women manage migraine as a physiotherapist, there is one question I hear more often than any other:

"Why do I get migraines?"

Why is my nervous system so sensitive?

Why do certain people seem able to cope with stress, poor sleep or busy lifestyles, while I develop a migraine?

Why can my friend skip meals, sleep for five hours and still feel fine, while I end up with a migraine?

They're all important questions.

After many years of working with women living with migraine, I've realised there isn't one simple answer.

Why Some People Are More Prone to Migraine Than Others

As a physiotherapist, I hear similar questions every day—not only from women living with migraine.

Some people ask why they build muscle more slowly than their friends.

Others ask why they develop back pain so easily.

Some wonder why varicose veins run in their family.

Others ask why recovery seems much harder for them than for other people.

Every person has different strengths.

Every person also has different vulnerabilities.

That's simply part of being human.

Genetics Play a Role—but They Don't Tell the Whole Story

Research suggests that genetics can influence our susceptibility to certain conditions, including migraine.

Some people may inherit a more sensitive nervous system.

Others may be more prone to joint problems, varicose veins or other health conditions.

Exactly how much genetics contribute compared with lifestyle is still debated.

Some researchers believe genetics play the larger role, while others place greater emphasis on lifestyle and environmental factors.

The truth is that we still don't know the exact answer.

What we do know is that genetics are only one part of the story.

• Sleep.

• Stress.

• Nutrition.

• Movement.

• Musculoskeletal health.

• Hormones.

• Environment.

All of these may influence how our body functions.

Your starting point is not necessarily your destination.

What I Learned from Different Approaches

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to learn from healthcare professionals with very different backgrounds.

Some explained health through anatomy and physiology.

Others focused on the nervous system.

I also worked alongside practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who described health in a completely different way.

Rather than talking about anatomy, they spoke about balance, energy and areas of relative weakness within the body.

Although these approaches use different language, I found one idea surprisingly consistent:

Every person has strengths.

Every person also has vulnerabilities.

Whether those vulnerabilities come from genetics, lifestyle, stress, emotions or years of accumulated habits, the goal isn't to become perfect.

The goal is to recognise them and support the body in the areas where it needs the most help.

A Pattern I Often See in Women with Migraine

One pattern I've noticed in many women living with migraine is this:

They care deeply.

They work hard.

They're reliable.

They put pressure on themselves.

Many describe themselves as perfectionists or high achievers.

Of course, this isn't true for everyone.

But I see it often enough that I pay attention to it.

When we constantly live under pressure, our nervous system rarely has the opportunity to fully recover.

Poor sleep.

Muscle tension.

Digestive problems.

Constant stress.

Less movement.

The glass slowly fills.

Eventually, it overflows.

The Good News

The encouraging part is that being more susceptible to something doesn't mean you're powerless.

Throughout my career, I've seen people who were prone to back pain become strong and active.

I've seen women with varicose veins improve their symptoms through weight management, regular walking, exercise and supportive lifestyle changes.

And I've seen many women—including myself—reduce the frequency and impact of migraine.

We can't always change the body we're born with.

But we can often change how well we support it.

The goal isn't to become someone else.

The goal is to help your body function at its very best.

From My Experience

One of the biggest mindset shifts I ever made was stopping the question:

"Why am I like this?"

Instead, I started asking:

"What does my body need from me today?"

That simple question changed everything.

It shifted my focus from frustration to action.

It helped me stop fighting my body and start working with it.

The ideas behind TRINUO grew from exactly that experience.

I realised that migraine is rarely about finding one cause or one perfect solution.

It's about understanding the bigger picture and supporting your body in the areas where it needs help the most.

That's why the TRINUO Method™ doesn't focus on just one trigger or one symptom.

It helps women understand how the nervous system, musculoskeletal health, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors may work together—and how small, consistent changes can reduce the overall load on the body over time.

Remember This

You may not be able to change your genetics.

You may not be able to change every trigger.

But you can influence many of the factors that affect how your body functions every day.

• Every good night's sleep.

• Every nourishing meal.

• Every walk.

• Every moment of relaxation.

• Every positive habit.

• Every small choice helps reduce the overall load on your nervous system.

Your starting point is not your destination.

Small changes, repeated consistently, can make a remarkable difference over time.

If you're living with migraine, remember this:

Having a predisposition doesn't mean your future is already written. Understanding your body is the first step towards supporting it.